Horror Clients - Red Flags & How to Deal With Them

• Teo

Spook Them From a Mile Away & Treat Them Well?

As a business owner, you must have had some true horror clients! Since Halloween is just around the corner we thought it would be a good idea to touch on that topic too, as you are not the only one. Pretty much everyone has had the joy of dealing with such clients, and it’s always a big task. Usually, in business, we don’t know we have a horror client until it’s too late., as we fail to see the warning signs. They are always there, not the same, but somehow we just don’t see them, just like ghosts!

Unfortunately though, with horror clients, trick or treat is not an option since they are your client, and you still need to treat them with respect, remain professional, and stand your ground at the same time. What you need is to spot them, not spook them! So let’s explore some red flags to watch out for when dealing with a horror client!

Bargaining Beats Quality - Definitely Not!

With horror clients, you will find that they always want you to lower your rates, or try not to pay a deposit. Either way, all these are red flags to consider when discussing with a client. Stay alert if you spot any of them but remain calm and don’t assume! Technically speaking a good business person would never have unrealistic expectations when entering into negotiations, however, a horror client would. Negotiating skills are a crucial part of a business where two parties reach an agreement. The agreement between yourself and a horror client would never be easy, but make sure to create the right expectation. Put your cards on the table, be honest and professional, if you’re not getting that from your client, then consider your options.

No Contract - No Deal, Commitment & Pumpkins All the Way!  

Another red flag to keep you on your toes with horror clients is when they don’t want to sign a contract. As a business owner, trying to make a profit, you rely on your clients and obviously, a contract would ensure that the terms of a deal are clear and binding for both parties. Normally, clients that don’t want to sign a contract would be smooth talkers and appeal to the friend in you. Keeping it all casual when doing business is a big no-no! A lack of commitment could potentially create a lot of trouble and bring you losses. At the end of the day, business is all about commitment and keeping your word. Horror clients are sort of like pumpkins if you think about it, in the process of negotiating a deal, they look great, but when it comes to signing the contract - BAAM! - a hollow nothing!

Being There Doesn’t Mean a Babysitter!  

Once you made a deal with a horror client you may notice they always expect you to be available. If you get the feeling your new client is treating you like a slave, this is a deal-breaker. You were hired because of your expertise and skills, not because someone needs to tell you what to do all the time. It’s crucial you clock on such behaviour and to make sure it stops there and then. The key here is to show you are available, to acknowledge your client’s needs and take feedback on board, not to be a babysitter. It can be time-consuming and also draining when a horror client constantly interrupts your work. You are a professional and as such, you want to agree on a plan with your client. Once that’s done, make sure your communication is on point, keep them in the loop. Ghosting is not an option, don’t do it!

No Pay - No Play! Horror Clients Classic!

Horror clients never pay on time, guys. Not to pay what’s due is a classic move when dealing with such clients. There are several reasons they don’t pay you on time such as loose payment policies in place, product not good enough, etc. But sometimes it’s not your fault, the client simply doesn’t want to pay because they can’t. In situations like this, it’s always best to refer to the contract which must contain a payment clause. If there is no contract in place, depending on what is the nature of your business you need to turn to the relevant bodies and report - police are not the only option. You could also turn to www.gov.uk and submit an HMCS claim and take them to court. Spooky but effective when invoices are not paid! Only resort to this measure if you are confident that your claim can be backed by evidence and you are not in the wrong.

Horror Clients Fairwell Stories

The thing about horror clients is that they have seen many before you, hence they are experienced. And with experience comes mastering certain skills, such as manipulation and implementing guilt. You need to be extremely careful of these and have a strong coping strategy to part ways. For better or worse, sometimes you just need to walk away. When saying your goodbyes, do it politely and respectfully (email or call should do). However, be clear that this is the end of the line. In business it’s key you don’t let others waste your time and energy as they are precious resources. In reality, the most expensive currency nowadays is time, so don’t waste it with horror clients, please! Your time and creativity can be a solid foundation for a blooming relationship between you and your clients, filter them.

Tell us your stories, have you had any customers like this? What happened when you didn’t see the red flags? Do you think horror clients are worth keeping and more importantly, if yes, how would you do it? We would love to hear your stories guys and hope our advice will be useful in your future projects. In the meantime, Happy Halloween from all of us at Yaseo, and don’t use sanitizer in the sweets!