From the course: Running a Design Business: Selling Design to Clients

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When and how to fire a client

When and how to fire a client

From the course: Running a Design Business: Selling Design to Clients

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When and how to fire a client

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- It's not a good habit to have but knowing when and how to end a relationship with a client is critical. Your sanity, career and reputation are part of the equation. Continuing to work with a bad client can only be damaging to one or all of these. Of course it's important to know the difference between a client who is challenging or just plain bad. And if you determine you can no longer tolerate it how to not burn the bridges. Early in my career I had a client who started off wonderfully. The work was exciting and I was proud of the solutions. As time passed however, things changed. At first, he began art directing me. He'd suggest moving a logo to the left a bit or making headlines bold. That was fine. I could manage that and make it work. But then he began making impossible demands and yelling when it wasn't what he wanted. I didn't want to lose that client. It was a large account and helped pay overhead. But I was anxious whenever he called. The work had deteriorated to design by…

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