From freeimages.com
As a business owner, I know that my main objective is to make sure that my clients are happy with my services. I always over-deliver which makes them even more happy. I feel that is an important practice because your clients will not only keep hiring you for more services, however they may even refer others to you! Most of your clients will be grateful for the work you do. However, there are always going to be some that will take your generosity for granted and will expect more and more of you.
Overtime, you will end up finding that you are working overtime for a very demanding client who is not paying you for what you are worth! When that starts to happen, you will not only find that you have less time to give to your other clients, but you will start to becoming resentful. This is why setting boundaries with clients is just as crucial as pleasing them!
However, finding the balance between over-delivering and setting boundaries may be difficult. What you need to do is examine how you can make your client extra happy while you are not letting him or her take advantage of you. The way you would know is if you give a little extra to your client without feeling drained or resentful. Once you find how far you are willing to go as far as over-delivering, make sure you do not go beyond that.
If your client starts to expect more from you, then you need to be firm with him or her that if he or she wants more of your time and energy, then he or she needs to pay more. If your client does not respond well to that, then sometimes it is best to let the client go.
You need to remember that there are other clients around who will be taking his or her place. Never hang onto a client that is making you unhappy and won’t take no for an answer for the sake of money.
Hi Miriam,
Absolutely agree with you, finding a balance may be difficult sometimes
but once you do you have a client for long, long time and it’s more fun that way 🙂
Thank you for sharing!
Emi
Finding a balance is necessary for so many reasons!
Hi Miriam,
A message that everyone needs to know. I am so glad you addressed this issue. There is always going to be one rotten apple in the bunch.
When this scenario happens we do have to make strong boundaries. Remind them that they signed in to get xyz. If they want more, pay more or else leave if not satisfied.
Who would want that kind of person to work with anyway. I think of it as a good thing for both me and the rotten apple.
If we hold on and keep trying to please them, they will never be satisfied. And we are only enabling their negative behavior.
-Donna
You said it very well Donna, thanks! So true.
I’ve never had a lot of difficulty with either coaching clients or product customers in this regard, Miriam.
I think it’s because I always make it very clear what the client or customer can expect from our coaching or from my products. I think the biggest problem is with being too vague about what you’re offering, or what your customer can expect.
I think being clear up front is an implicit way to draw boundaries, as you suggest.
Thanks for your guidelines, here. They are certainly important to have in mind.
Good for you David, for being clear and sticking with it. It is easy to become overly eager to please.
Hi Miriam,
Great post. I know there are some people out there that will try to get more than what they pay for. That, as you said will cause resentment and you will start feeling used rather than helping people.
It is sometimes hard but yes, you do have to set boundaries and stick with them. This will also ensure that you are giving your best to your other clients who are “playing fair.”
It is a harsh lesson I had to learn! Thanks for the comment.