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This month’s SVA chat topic is Getting The Right Client.
We’ve all had one – that client who seems to take up 95% of your time but who actually only bills about 2 hours a month and you dread seeing their number flash up on your phone. That dread extends into your subconscious and somehow it always seems to be their account that a mistake gets made on.
Lots of business coaches will advise that you categorise your clients into A, B, C and D lists.
- A-class clients are the ones who fit your ideal client profile – pay their bills on time, offer interesting and regular work, fit in with how you want to work.
- B-class clients are the ones who have a little niggle but could become really great clients.
- C-class are ones who need to change how they are working with you in order to stay. So perhaps you need to raise their hourly rate or make sure they stick to deadlines.
- D-class clients are clients who you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. They are the ones you dread speaking to… They need to go!
This month’s challenge:
A-class clients
Think about your ideal client: Which industry are they in? What do they ask you to do? How often do they have work? Where are they likely to work? Write down 10 things which define a great client.
D-class clients
Devise a strategy for getting rid of these. Do you put in place new rules? Do you ask new leads upfront a series of questions that weeds out potential D-listers? Do you increase your rates?