4 Signs It's Time to Dump a Client

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How to (gracefully) move on from a no-good project and advance your career

By Kristen Fischer - October 11, 2011

Like the book (and the movie and the Sex & The City episode that inspired both) said, don't you wish you could tell a bad client, "I'm just not that into you"? Yet, most freelancers know that it's never that simple.

As a self-employed professional, you have to consider the ramifications of breaking up with any customer: lost money and assignments, or worse, burned bridges that lead to lost money and assignments elsewhere. The media world is small, and who knows if the editor you can't stand today becomes the top dog at your dream publication tomorrow? However, there are some situations where it pays to part ways. In fact, a split could be exactly what you need to advance your career.

Here are a few signs that it is time to dump a client and tips to ensure your career doesn't go down in flames with the relationship....

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