When you first get your clients, whatever you do as a WAHM, you may envision working with them forever. That’s especially the case if they pay well and they are easy to work for. But plans change.
There are all sorts of reasons you’ll want to move on from your clients. It’s not all about your clients, either. You may move into a different line of work or change the way your WAHM lifestyle is working.
I’ve had many clients over the years as a writer. Some of them, I’ve worked with for more than two or three years, but the majority of them are smaller projects. It’s the world of freelancing. I’ve not always been the one to initiate the move, but sometimes I have. Most of my client experiences have been positive, but it’s not stopped me from moving forward in my business.
How do you know it’s the right time to move on from your current clients as a WAHM? Here are the signs that I always look out for.
I want a higher rate but the client can’t afford it
Every now and then I increase my prices. Sometimes it’s once a year, but it can be once every two years depending on the client, the current rate, and the work. Not all clients will get the increase depending on various factors.
But when I want a higher writing rate and my client can’t afford it, it’s often a sign that it’s time to move on. We’ve outgrown our need for each other.
Never do I get annoyed at a client for not wanting to increase their prices. I respect their budget and let them know I’m here if they do have the budget for me later. A lot of the time, I’ll stick with them for a month or so until they find a new writer to replace me.
Sometimes the clients have come back a few months later. But most of them disappear into the distance and I never hear from them again.
If you’re ready to increase your rate for your projects but your clients can’t afford it, you may need to drop you client and find better-paying ones. You’ll need to assess whether it’s worth the risk.
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The project doesn’t align with me
Projects can change.
Something I’ve found as a writer is websites grow, they gain new audiences, and the content takes on a new life. What was once a project that was perfect for me has become a chore or something that I can’t confidently do.
I believe in high-quality content and clients getting the right freelance writer for their needs. That means if I don’t think I can do a project, I will tell my freelance writing client and suggest terminating our agreement.
Likewise, there will be other writers terminating their agreements with other clients. Those clients may have projects that are more suited to me and I end up with more work.
Whatever area of work you’re in, you need to make sure the project aligns to you. Is it something you can still do? Has the client changed the scope of the work meaning that it’s no longer something for you? Don’t be ashamed to say you’re no longer the right fit.
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Work has become stale or boring
While I may still be able to do the work confidently, I may not enjoy it all the time. This can happen now and then. Rather than go through monotonous work and force myself to enjoy it, I will usually end the relationship with the freelance writing client.
I don’t always share that the work is boring. I find other reasons why I can no longer complete it—usually that my needs as a writer have grown and I need to move on.
Most recently I ended a client relationship because of a stale project. It was in a niche that I just didn’t find that interesting at all and I decided him finding a writer who was interested in the niche would be better. I made it clear that it was the niche at fault that didn’t align with my preferred niches.
Over the years, I’ve changed my niches and my focus. There’s nothing wrong with you doing that. Whatever you do as a WAHM, you need to enjoy it!
The client is stressful
Of course, there are times that my relationship with a client has ended negatively. I’ve had cases where clients haven’t paid their invoices and incidents where clients have just become a nightmare to work with.
When a client becomes too stressful, I look at my options. Sometimes I will make it clear that my rates are increasing—to a point that will be worth my time working with the client if they choose to pay it. Most clients don’t want to pay the increased writing rate.
If the client doesn’t pay on time or at all, I have no qualms in just ending the contract. Then I have to make the decision whether to chase payments or not—but that’s a whole different article!
This applies to any type of WAHM role. Whether you’re a VA, a social media manager, a photographer, or provide a daycare service, you need to make sure your clients are ones you want to work with. If they’re causing you stress, are they really worth the hassle?
Your relationship with your client can end for good or bad reasons. Even if you’re currently happy with the work, you may find in a year that the work isn’t as stimulating or the pay is just too low for your life. You need to take the steps to decide when and how to end that relationship with the client.
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