How to Gracefully Move On From a No-Good Project and Advance Your Career

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.

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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.

1. It takes forever to get your dough — or they’re not paying at all.

This is probably the most obvious sign that a business relationship is going down the tubes. But before you cut ties with a deadbeat client permanently, do everything you can to get the money you’re owed. Inquire about late payments after a reasonable amount of time — and don’t just rely on email. Follow up with the publication’s accounting representative and keep track of all correspondences. If they’re still not paying up after several verbal and written notices, it’s time to call in a collections agent or pursue small claims court. Not only does the action show them you mean business, but it frees you from worrying about the matter.

“No one should need to work as hard and long as they did on a client project in attempting to get paid,” says Oregon designer Jeff Fisher of Jeff Fisher LogoMotives.

To avoid landing in this predicament in the first place, put a clause in your contract that states you can charge interest on a late payment (after 90 days, for example). That’s even more of an incentive for a client to cut the check on time.

Try This: Wait until the current project wraps up (and you’ve been paid), and then see if the client contacts you again. Sometimes you can avoid an uncomfortable conversation if they choose to dump you first. If they do ask you to do more work, be simple but firm: “I appreciate the offer, but cannot take on your project at this time.”

2. The client doesn’t respect you.

Other than being outright mean or rude, there are other behaviors that show a client doesn’t think highly of you. Maybe your editor is consistently late to meetings, never returns your phone calls, or doesn’t provide feedback in a timely or constructive manner. Who wants to work with someone like that?

For Fisher, those are all deal-breakers. “To me, it conveys that the client thinks their own time is more valuable or important than that of the person they have hired to do their work,” he says.

Von Glitschka, an illustrator in Oregon, says it is important to convey information upfront so the client doesn’t get the opportunity to disregard you. He has encountered clients that try to rush him with deadlines or stall out mid-project. “The whole equation of ‘good, fast and cheap’ is true. Pick any two. They want good and fast; then it won’t be cheap. They want it fast and cheap; then it won’t be good.”

Try this: “In order to get this project to you on time, I need to have the contract signed and a deposit due by Friday, and your first round of revisions back within seven days.” And, of course, make sure you meet all your deadlines and meetings, as well.

3. Your skill level is above the work.

Bored with your assignments? That’s another reason to say goodbye.

In the mid-90s, Fisher performed some design work for a law firm. Over a few years, he executed a complete identity design and overhaul that included updating the format of the company’s newsletter. After that, his only responsibility was to produce the quarterly newsletter. Fisher knew he could do that task in his sleep and wanted to move on to more challenging work, so it was time to split. Thankfully, the relationship ended well, and ironically enough, he was rehired last year to revamp the branding platform once again.

If this is your situation, first think about the work you want to do. Then, snag a new client in that arena before you give the older one the heave ho. You may not have to do this if you’re doing well financially, but it’s always a good idea to have a job before you quit one, particularly in times like these when many media companies are slashing freelance budgets.

Try this: “I approached the client and politely resigned the account, letting them know I had greatly enjoyed working with them, but felt my talents (and their marketing/promotion budget) could be better served in doing work in which I was more passionate,” said Fisher.

4. You’re only staying out of loyalty.

Just like we outgrow personal relationships, we do the same with business partnerships. Moving on can be hardest when there’s no better opportunity afoot, so we tend to stay put. This type of relationship may not be bad; it just doesn’t put you in a position to advance your career — a perfectly good reason for breaking ties.

Ilise Benun, founder of the Marketing Mentor business coaching program for creative professionals and author of The Art of Self Promotion, says it’s important to remember that your first client may not necessarily be your best.

“I think this is very tricky for people because they think the clients they start with, they__?re going to die with,” she explains. Benun says that’s while many freelancers learn the most from those first clients, their skills, rates and tolerances change as they go. So, if you’re trying to hang on to your “oldest client” simply to prove that you’re good at what you do, think again. Instead, try to build some new relationships with editors, or develop a monthly newsletter to show off your logo-making chops. Benun says that not having adequate marketing in place is what keeps many freelancers stuck.

Try this: Keep it brief. Benun recommends saying that you can’t take on additional projects, because your business is going in a different direction or you are not the best person to meet their current needs. “You know, the proverbial ‘It’s not me, it’s you,'” she jokes.

More Tips for Dumping a Client

You don’t have to be rude or arrogant when breaking up. It pays to keep things professional, because you never know where a contact may come in handy. Plus, there’s no better way to bring in new business than having a testimonial from a satisfied customer.

If you must move one, choose an appropriate format or setting to break the bad news. Whether you do that by email, phone or in person really depends on your relationship. I communicate with many of my customers only via email, so I usually opt to send a short message or have a quick phone call. Be honest, not mean.

“In most situations, blatant honesty is usually the best policy,” Fisher says. “My ‘I need to focus my creative energies on a different type of project,’ explanation is often a very true and valid sentiment to be shared___but can also work as a little white lie in cases where an escape for one’s own mental health is necessary.”

The beauty of freelancing is you can choose the projects you take on. So, if it’s time to separate from a company in pursuit of something more fulfilling or better paying, it’s okay. You’re in the position to do so.

NEXT >> How Freelancers Can Avoid Not Getting Paid

Kristen Fischer is a copywriter based in New Jersey. Find out more at www.kristenfischer.com.