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Over the past twenty plus years, I wrote a piece to give my clients before I accepted them, called “Are You My Ideal Client?” This piece set the values and respect I require, and set the bar high enough for me to enjoy my coaching.
It worked for a while. How soon the impatient, needy, desperate, and wanting all strategies to be done yesterday clients started knocking. They wanted much more than what makes this calling of book coaching so much fun for me and the passionate people I work with. Open hearted, open-minded communication needs some tweaking. Make sure your clients don’t suck you dry with these 7 sins.
One. They complain about your fees.
Think about the “mistake money” that costs far more than your service.
One thing is for sure, many clients seek me out AFTER they wasted so much time and money going down the wrong path, especially in publishing and marketing.
Two. They don’t value what took you a long time to become a master at.
One of my recent clients did not want me to be a book coach, but her editor. She thought it would take too long. She forgot my value - to make sure her new book contains the pre-marketing strategies within her work and the fast chapter writing blueprint to make sure her reader would finish the chapters and recommend it. She really wanted me to just line edit the book - and believe me, although this therapist needed to shorten those long unwieldy sentences and a plethora of passive verbs and -ing sentences, she really needed to write a clear and easy to follow, reader-friendly copy. Chapter parts help your reader get your message across smoothly.
The problem here is writers don’t know their ignorance as another client just shared on her FB page. The same is true for any consultant and coaching business.
Three. They don’t appreciate your valuable time.
Yes, you want to help them succeed, but not for a free 20 minutes more than the session.
You have schedules you need to honor and they need to honor your time.
Four. They just can’t ever be pleased enough.
Oh, how I don’t miss those daily emails asking me for more - free of course!
Yes, I did confront this recent client I mentioned and we parted ways. Now I can give more to the sane clients who aren’t “crazy makers.”
Five. They act like they own you.
These clients know your value, but when you confront them with your boundaries, they protest, “Who me? I thought you loved me!” I can tell you I don’t do guilt well. I’m forever positive, and I don’t put up with behavior that doesn’t respect me.
Six. Your client is ignorant about the skills and strategies you are teaching them.
One much older client, an astrologer, as other many personal growth people believe, did not know he needed a book sales letter up on his site and a LinkedIn profile. As a master coach he didn’t honor my how to books on LinkedIn marketing and Profile Up leveling and my 25 years experience behind the teachings. He argued with me every step of the way. He didn’t enjoy it and I felt like I was experiencing a root canal!
Seven. Your clients don’t pay on time.
To solve this challenge, you can do what I do. I don’t have to chase any monies owed me. I require already trusting potential clients to take responsibility and pre-pay and pre-register at my coaching pages to show their commitment. Then they email me their agenda ahead so we have more fruitful coaching phone sessions.
Eight. Bonus! When a client complains, you start doubting your abilities.
We empathetic coaches relate to this one. We don’t mind a few emails to clarify, but solutions come in the sessions. Are you a go giver as I am? Now what I do is send the free requests to my free 170 blog articles on my site. I let them know, they can have all these freely, but coaching is my business and livelihood.
For me, I’d rather let go of a problematic client sooner than later. Then, I can appreciate and give more to my wonderful clients who take the business strategies and actions I suggest.
What’s your take on these tips? Share your insights with me too and put a smile on my face!