Your best clients are a joy to work with. They pay your full fee, respect your time, and treat you as an equal. But some prospects test your boundaries, demand discounts and expect everything right now. Upholding your standards and worth means knowing when to turn bad clients down.
Watch for these three warning signs to spot clients that will not respect what you do, and direct your energy toward the ones who will. Business relationships win when cortisol levels stay low on both sides.
How to spot your perfect clients: phrases that reveal red flags
“Can we get a discount?”
Great clients don’t haggle. They see your value and they want the transformation you provide. They’re excited to get started, they respect what you do and they want what you can help them achieve.
They want to understand your pricing, and that’s okay. But negotiating sends a clear signal. It tells you they can’t see your magic. They look at the price instead of the opportunity. When someone wants to negotiate with you, they are showing you who they are. Not your ideal client.
The world’s most successful people don’t negotiate. They state their terms and people meet them. They don’t flex their prices because they know their worth. Their best clients see their value and want their brilliance. Set your fees accordingly, state them clearly, and stick to them every time.
“This is really urgent”
Someone else’s poor planning isn’t your emergency. The best clients let you do your best work without forcing you to jump at their command. They understand that quality takes time. They respect your process.
John Gottman’s research from his “Love Lab” showed that couples who stayed together had low cortisol levels when interacting. They felt safe and connected even during disagreements. Business relationships follow the same rules. The best partnerships maintain calm energy throughout.
The worst clients keep you on edge, in fight or flight mode. Your cortisol spikes with every message. You feel like you need to defend yourself. These relationships drain your energy and they don’t serve anyone. Choose calm over chaos.
“Why are you better than them?”
Great clients don’t play you off against others. They choose you for your unique strengths, your work style, and your way of looking at problems. They’ve done their research. They see exactly what you bring. They want you specifically.
If someone makes you defend your worth, they aren’t your ideal client. Comparing you to other suppliers or questioning your methods is counterproductive. Strong partnerships lift each other up. They create momentum through mutual respect. The best clients know your value without you having to explain it or prove it.
Your perfect clients want to work with you because your values align and their gut tells them it’s right. They trust their instincts and yours. They won’t waste time with comparisons or create drama. They won’t ask you about alternatives. They’re ready to start and they’ll make it happen.
Partner with people who get you: choosing great clients
You deserve clients who respect your time, pay your full fee, and let you do your best work. Watch for these warning signs and walk away when you spot them. Your best work comes when cortisol stays low and trust stays high.
Build your business around the clients who see your magic. State your terms clearly and stick to them. Let the ones who want discounts find someone else. Partner with people who match your energy and watch your success come to life.
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