how do you warn a client that you will not tolerate BS?

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theseodude

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If someone contacts you regarding services (seo or any other kind of service) and you feel like they are a waste of your time (for example, they are already arguing over $10), what do you do? Do you get rid of them? how do you let them know that you won't tolerate BS, without sounding rude?
 
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If it is your own business, you are the one who needs to set the standard.

When you need to get rid of someone (employees or customers), do it in the politest possible way. Try to be diplomatic, use the sandwich tactic (works for me) and hit them with the bat at the very end without them noticing.

"I am tremendously thankful for all the xxx so far; it has certainly been a pleasure dealing with you/company/xxx and although I would definitely consider you/company/xxx as a (business option) in the future, given circumstances cannot allow me/company/xxx to keep up with this contract/deal/xxx; nice goodbye phrase"
 
Please tell me you are not taking on a client for $10 for any type of service. They are not worth your time.
 
This one for me is easy ... you say look my costs are great to execute a proper seo campaign - so if you don't want to pay what I need to make it work for me - then I will just use the server time to promote my own sites - where I get all the money and in the long term is better for me.

That way the client realizes that they need you more than you need them -- also clients nickle and diming you before you start - is not a good sign when it comes to receiving monthly payments.
 
You could tell him that your services are worth the pricce you have set them to and that, for sure they could find something cheaper elsewhere but it wouldnt necessarily be as good quality as your servicces. Even if this is not always true he can't really argue with you.
 
"Thank you for you interest in our services. We are grateful to have worked with you thus far but as a team we have decided you will be better served by another service provider in the industry. As such we will no longer be able to reply to your queries. All the best with your future SEO endeavors"
 
If your service is marginally worth more than $10, stand your ground.

If you're providing a $5 service for $20, this has been a lesson on market value.
 
Get him on a retainer contract, it scares all the idiots away and keeps the serious ones for a longer period of time.
 
Honestly, if they are arguing over $10, they are already showing signs of a client who will give you many problems down the road. Problems like questioning the quality of your services, even though they know nothing about the subject. Everybody gets clients like these, and it is best to just avoid them. My advice, try to break ties with them professionally.
 
SmileAtmyWins said:
Honestly, if they are arguing over $10, they are already showing signs of a client who will give you many problems down the road. Problems like questioning the quality of your services, even though they know nothing about the subject. Everybody gets clients like these, and it is best to just avoid them. My advice, try to break ties with them professionally.
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+1. Agreed 100%.
 
theseodude said:
If someone contacts you regarding services (seo or any other kind of service) and you feel like they are a waste of your time (for example, they are already arguing over $10), what do you do? Do you get rid of them? how do you let them know that you won't tolerate BS, without sounding rude?
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I set expectations from the outset with no wiggle room.

For example I always tell SEO clients-

"Any form of SEO & link building directly violates Google's webmaster guidelines and as such leaves you open to a future penalty. There is no SEO on the planet that can guarantee what they do will not be penalised in the future. SEO is all about risk management so it is critical we do everything in our power to mitigate that risk and be able to 'undo' anything that we do with ease'

On more than one occasion clients have thanked me for that upfront honesty and expectation as every other SEO just told them what they wanted to hear.

If I believe someone is wasting my time and isn't an active client/customer there incoming emails get tagged with the 'Later' tag which gets reviewed monthly.

I haven't had problems like that with any current paying clients though because I have set the expectations from the outset and deliver on that.
 
MatthewWoodward said:
I set expectations from the outset with no wiggle room.

For example I always tell SEO clients-

"Any form of SEO & link building directly violates Google's webmaster guidelines and as such leaves you open to a future penalty. There is no SEO on the planet that can guarantee what they do will not be penalised in the future. SEO is all about risk management so it is critical we do everything in our power to mitigate that risk and be able to 'undo' anything that we do with ease'
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That's a good policy. Otherwise clients I run into ask not only for guarantees about not being penalized, but guarantees about retaining a high ranking that almost nobody can fulfill in the current environment. Setting expectations also gives one walk away power, to get away from a contentious client before you're in the middle of a job, and they ask for 5-6 things beyond what was originally discussed, plus unlimited follow-up tasks, for the same price.
 
This is the hardest part of business, but very much worth it.

You want to part ways with clients that are creating problems early, as the problems will only get worse as time goes on.

If a potential client asks 50000x questions before beginning with my company, I'll refer them to someone else and tell them we aren't th solution they are looking for. Doing so will save you the headache. While being informed is one thing, being lazy and obnoxious is another.

The ability to identify problematic clients and cutting ties early is one of the best things you can learn. Begin identifying the patterns early.
 
Dont sounding rule!!!!!!! We are server. even my clients/ customers or employees made any mistakes, let calm. In this case, it will be best if we can discuss again and get a negotiation. Dont get rid of them because this causes many bad result for your business.
 
I like folks who have an issue over 10 bucks... and love to keep them politely in that negative zone of business...

It is great to leave them mired in a $10 USD Headf**k!

Keeps me buoyant lively and keen to concentrate moving on making money for my business :cool:
 
I probably work in another niche than most of you all (i own a print company) but i always ask for a deposit before doing any job either design or print and people who are being bitchy about 25% or so deposit are usually people not wanting to pay for what the job is worth and i'm glad they go somewhere else.

If you spend hours trying to deal with them and etc you are wasting time and money. Some people are paying more just to have a good service and good turnaround time.. i'd rather deal with them in the long run.

Of course we never tell them to *** off but that's the job price and that's it.. not happy? there are other company you can annoy.
 
Mate, I am a content writer. I feel that if the client is bugging your small amount of money, you are just wasting your time. Instead, you can spend your time in finding new clients.
 
Yup...fire the client...i've done it lots of times. Really...for that sort of money I would rather sit on my butt at home for the hour then do their work. The truth is that you can be way more productive than taking that sort of cash from a client.
 
zebrahat said:
That's a good policy. Otherwise clients I run into ask not only for guarantees about not being penalized, but guarantees about retaining a high ranking that almost nobody can fulfill in the current environment. Setting expectations also gives one walk away power, to get away from a contentious client before you're in the middle of a job, and they ask for 5-6 things beyond what was originally discussed, plus unlimited follow-up tasks, for the same price.
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Exactly - and you can be sure that every SEO they have spoken to and asked questions like that to has told them what they want to hear and not the truth in order to land the job, but I find it a great sales closer.

I'm always very specific about what the client will get. This only becomes a problem when someone is looking to purchase consulting/mentoring from me as its hard to quantify as such but usually after half an hour on Skype just talking IM that sells itself.

Don't be afraid to be firm with your clients setting expectations and goals.


grock said:
I probably work in another niche than most of you all (i own a print company) but i always ask for a deposit before doing any job either design or print and people who are being bitchy about 25% or so deposit are usually people not wanting to pay for what the job is worth and i'm glad they go somewhere else.

If you spend hours trying to deal with them and etc you are wasting time and money. Some people are paying more just to have a good service and good turnaround time.. i'd rather deal with them in the long run.

Of course we never tell them to *** off but that's the job price and that's it.. not happy? there are other company you can annoy.
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I always take full payment upfront to avoid any of those possible hassles
 
He has a good point.

Remember the 80/20 rule in business?

80% of your problems will come from the people who pay less, than the other 20%.


WrightWilliams said:
Please tell me you are not taking on a client for $10 for any type of service. They are not worth your time.
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