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Vent: a guy at a Houston coworking space told me to fire my worst client, and I waited 7 months too long
A freelancer named Marcus told me in January to drop my loudest client, the one who paid $1,200 a month but called me 4 times a week about nothing. I said no because the money felt safe, and I kept him for 7 more months. During that stretch he missed 3 invoice deadlines, demanded weekend calls, and blamed me for his own missing files. I finally sent the breakup email in August and lost the $1,200, but gained back maybe 10 hours a week. Two of those hours went to a new client who pays $900 for half the work and never calls. Marcus was right and I hate that he was right. How do you all decide when a client is worth firing before the burnout hits?
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patel.eric6d ago
Marcus sounds like the guy who tells you your boyfriend sucks and then you date him for another year anyway. Except in this case the boyfriend calls you 4 times a week asking where his own files went. The missed invoice deadlines part is wild, a client who pays late AND yells at you is basically paying you in stress instead of money. Good on you for finally cutting him loose in August, even if January Marcus deserves a small victory lap. Next time a client calls more than your mom does, that's your sign.
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