How to Fire a Client

Everyone has those clients who are more difficult than others. Whether they’re always late, don’t respect your time or policies, or something more serious, it’s important to know how and when to fire a client. Let’s break down the best practices for firing a client while still keeping your business intact.

Have a conversation

The first step is to have an honest conversation with your client about their behavior. This can be done over the phone or in person. During this conversation, explain the problem and why you are considering no longer working with them. Be sure to keep it professional; focus on facts rather than feelings and suggest solutions when appropriate. Explain that if things don't improve, you may need to part ways.

How do you know when to fire a client? 

Firing a client becomes necessary when you feel drained every time they leave your chair. If a client continually argues about price, asks for services you don’t provide, tries to take advantage of your time, or never seems to be happy, it’s time to say goodbye. 

Give them time to change

If the relationship is worth saving, give your client some room to change. Be honest about your concerns and approach your client the same way you would talk through an argument with a friend. Make sure to listen to any of their concerns to ensure you’re both on the same page about the situation. Maybe the client was not even aware their behavior was problematic. So give them a chance to modify their behavior if they want to continue getting top-tier talent (that’s you!) for their beauty or barber services. 

How to tell a client you can’t work with them

If the time comes to fire a client, put honesty first. This doesn’t have to be an angry conversation, and shouldn't come as a surprise if you've already brought up the issue and given them a chance to change. Sometimes firing a client is the kindest thing you can do for both you and them—even if they don’t think so at the time. You can do this over the phone or email, to avoid putting the client on the spot in person. It's good to come prepared with notes, so you can explain your thoughts and feelings without getting frazzled in the moment. Remind yourself and your client that this is business and nothing personal. If it makes sense, you can even share some recommendations for other local businesses that might be a better fit for this client. 

It’s tough to know how to break up with a client. No matter what industry you work in, dealing with clients can be stressful at times. But as a professional, your job is to remain calm and courteous while resolving issues quickly and effectively, so that your businesses can continue running smoothly. Taking these steps when dealing with challenging clients will help ensure that everyone involved feels respected, even after parting ways.