How to Deal With Toxic Clients

Do not fall victim to toxic clients. Instead, learn the lessons from Virtual Assistants who have walked this path before you and made those same mistakes.

We have all experienced less than stellar clients who hold the highest expectations but feel we can do nothing right. They make demand after demand but refuse to listen when we try to reinforce our business boundaries. They are rarely happy with the results, even when the task is completed to their exacting specifications. Often, these are the clients who pay the least but demand the most of our physical and emotional energy.

Toxic clients suck the joy out of business. That quickly translates into sucking the joy out of life because you spend your free time stressing about them. Regain your business sanity and your joy by taming these toxic clients or dropping them altogether.

What? How Can I Drop a Client?

Alexander Graham Bell is credited with the famous quote, “When one door closes, another one opens.” Quite simply, if you drop a toxic client, another client will find their way to you. It may not happen the next day or by magic, but you will have more time to market yourself and show your audience that you have an immediate opening. If you have worked consistently to provide value to your audience, they will jump at the chance to work with you.

Alternatively, you can drop the toxic client and spend that newfound time training to offer a new skill or service. Perhaps you want to focus on writing to your email list with valuable offers or look for media opportunities to share your expertise on podcasts or as a guest blogger. You deserve respect, not to be run over by rude clients.

Can a Toxic Client be Tamed?

If you prefer to maintain the relationship, you will need to grow thick skin and reinforce your boundaries. If you do not have any business boundaries, now is the time to set them.

For example, do you answer emails or text messages at all hours of the day? Stop it. Set business hours and tell your clients when they can expect a response. I recommend responding within 24 hours, but if you do not work weekends, tell your clients that you will respond only on business days.

What other demands does this client expect of you? Create a solution you can work with and inform all your clients about these changes. As fellow business owners, they will likely respect and understand your need for boundaries. If they do not, it is time to cut them loose.

Make Changes to Onboarding Clients

If you have a history of attracting toxic or non ideal clients, reflect on why these clients find you and why you accept them. Are they part of your ideal target market? Are you pricing your services too low? Are you asking enough questions about their business? Are you desperate for money and afraid to say no? We have all been there, taking on a client who is not right for us.

Reflect on the answers and make solid changes to your business policies. Determine your ideal client and research if your prices are competitive. Ensure you have an onboarding process where you interview these clients. Not only should clients interview you, but you should use the chance to interview them. Follow your gut instinct.

Most importantly, use a contract to spell out exactly what you discussed, what they expect from you, and include your boundaries so there are no surprises. You are in charge of who you work with.

Having Trouble Letting Go of Toxic People?

Get support from Virtual Assistants who have been there and done it.

The VA Membership is the only UK VA business accelerator designed specifically to help you build and grow your VA business. It helps you create recurring revenue and consistent growth through regular action. We often discuss topics like this as part of weekly group coaching calls.