The Ugly Truth About Freelancing: How To Deal With Difficult Clients

How To Fire A Client Nicely: 5 Ways To Say Goodbye To Clients From Hell 👿
Join The #1 Copywriting Challenge on the Internet ►► go.alexcattoni...
I think it’s high time we address the elephant in the room… something that affects all my fellow freelancers and creative entrepreneurs…
Dealing with “difficult clients”.
From toxic clients, boundary-pushers, lowballers, late payers and everything in between...
We’ve all been there.
And trust me, I’ve been there many times throughout my career.
😖I’d lower my prices to unreasonable rates.
😒I’d let clients call me on weekends.
😣I’d work at all hours of the day.
😤And I’d agree to the most ridiculous turnaround time without a second thought...
But over the years, I’ve done a lot of mindset work to shift those negative and toxic client/freelancer dynamics.
Today I’m sharing everything I’ve learned on setting healthy boundaries with clients and standing your ground in the face of pushback.
But let’s be honest…
Sometimes setting boundaries just doesn’t cut it.
When a client is toxic to the core and negatively affecting your emotional and mental health…
Oftentimes the best thing you can do is bid them goodbye. 👋
So at the end of this video, I’m going to share how to fire a client nicely… without burning any bridges or risking your reputation.
It’s gonna get juicy...
WHY SUBSCRIBE?
Every single week I provide tips and resources from my copywriting vault, so go ahead and browse the tutorials and guides I already have up and, after you subscribe, hit that little bell icon so you don’t miss any future videos from me.
CONNECT WITH ME!
/ copyposse
/ alexcattoni
/ alexcattoni
/ copyposse
Read this instead: www.alexcatton...
#settingboundaries #freelancing #copywriting

[@Noviceking-gs7oj]

What I dislike the most are clients who say something like, "I love your work so much, but I just want it to be perfect," and then continue to complain about every little detail.

[@21Nahm]

Ask them to work on what they're asking, if they're so "involved" in the project. Suddenly, when they have to work, everything is fine and those changes "are not so important".

[@veronicabryant2646]

I can’t service my clients to the best of my ability if they treat me like dirt.

[@HeavenlyDivineTaro]

We may need more videos sis ❤ I didn't think this was bad but I would like to dive deeper why people can't leave problems at the door to get a service done rq I do want more perspective of people talking about this But it's the same shit everytime Some people can't leave their problems at the door.

[@DemetriPanici]

There are clients in freelancing and the agency world who are hard to deal with! Loved this one!

[@AlexCattoni]

Thanks for watching!

[@lydiac2221]

I really needed this after today, I don't think they are a toxic client but theres deff something wrong coming away exhausted and frustrated at the end of the day, thanks for the advice :)

[@Lightflames85]

There is a small set of people that are just toxic and there is nothing you can do other then avoid them like the plague. Having said that there are personally types that don't go well together.

[@eugeneolung6239]

Thanks so much for this Alex, I'm really going through a hard time with a client who treats me as trash. This is probably because I didn't set boundaries and clear expectations earlier 😢😢. Your Video has made me realize it's time to finally "Fire the client" due to the toxic nature of our relationship. Thanks once more

[@AlexCattoni]

I'm glad this could help! Good luck!

[@SamVanderWielen]

"Stand Your Ground" is so useful, but SO hard. There's always the nagging voice that you're being mean and you don't want someone to be mad at you. 😮 Love this video - these were awesome tips!

[@AlexCattoni]

For sure! It is difficult, but it does get easier with time!

[@HeavenlyDivineTaro]

That is true. We have to be emotionally mature to have these difficult conversations. People just don't do what you want and many people can't read minds. When I learned to get up and go because people respond to action quicker than words I was given a gift.

[@Typhillipspt]

I love your channel - so underrated! I’ve learnt so much. I’m not a copywriter but I’m still going to do your course because everything you do/say is GOLD 💰

[@AlexCattoni]

You're amazing! Thanks so much for being here with me :)

[@emanuel_soundtrack]

this last one is hard, but i truly believe it. I am telling Upwork many things in this sense, that the platform is for people offering services not people “looking for jobs”. I said them to reword this

[@richardbarnett1917]

Absolutely I like your enthusiasm and your education.

[@AlexCattoni]

Thank you!

[@dappeksha2878]

Superb Video to handle this kind of situation

[@SamanthaThomas-d8h]

Noelle sent me this video after I was stressing over how to handle a client interaction. lol This video helped me decide to have hard conversations and be willing to ride out the rocky with someone who isn't necessarily toxic, just a bit disorganized and uneducated about how to work with a copywriter. Thanks for this valuable advice, Alex!

[@AlexCattoni]

So glad this was helpful and that you've decided to have those hard conversations, Samantha. Cheers to uncomfortable, but necessary growth! ⚡️

[@cassyvorster466]

Thank u. I am an attorney and I confirm your suggestions are awesome. This vid helped me a lot

[@AnchanaChandran]

I have no words to describe how thankful I am to you Alex. You're awesome and amazing. I wish nothing but the best for you ❤

[@AlexCattoni]

Wow, thank you so much!

[@frittzilla7981]

Wow!! Alex this is awesome advice! I am literally going through this right now as an SEO!! I have been feeling so lost as a new freelancer and find it hard to communicate my boundaries sometimes because of fear of loss clients. I decided to be a freelancer for the independence and sometimes it feels like that’s being taking advantage of! Your videos have helped me a lot in my journey! Thank you!

[@AlexCattoni]

I'm sorry you're struggling through this - but happy this video could be helpful for you :) Setting boundaries is always difficult at first, but it DOES get easier. Good luck!

[@SundusAnsari-ck3cp]

I just put my heads up after watching your video lol, Thank you for this

[@MollyReardon]

You give so much value

[@AlexCattoni]

Thanks for watching!

[@esatakan3076]

Awesome video Alex thanks a lot!

[@AlexCattoni]

Glad you liked it!

[@VoiceoverByIvy]

Never been this early to your video! I'm freaking excited to learn!! 💗

[@AlexCattoni]

hehe, yay!!

[@authorpreneursecrets]

This was excellent. Thank you.

[@aniket4043]

I've got a habit of liking your videos before watching even 5 seconds of it 😂

[@AlexCattoni]

Haha, why thank you!

[@marka.clarkii9764]

Great video Alex. This is surely an important conversation to have as a freelancer. Not every client will be a dream client and dealing with these uncomfortable situations is mandatory for sustained success.

[@AlexCattoni]

Absolutely!

[@juliachesbrough7304]

Wow, that was the EXACT video I was looking for. This was so helpful! Have a tough client right now and this video really gave me a great perspective and ideas on how to move forward. Thank you!!

[@louise8498]

This video is just what I needed. Thank you!!! How come in the freelancing world people call it 'firing' a client? I get that it's not a normal employer-employee situation, but they're not working for me, so why's it called firing?

[@AlexCattoni]

That's a good question! Not everyone calls it that. Another few common phrases I hear a lot is "dropping a client", "letting go of a client", etc. I think it just depends on the person :)

[@avibrarbrar]

"firing" because you are hiring a client with your time and skill curency 😜.

[@Lightflames85]

Just be honest and say I don't see this working out between us. If you want I can refer you to another company or freelancer. For whatever the reason is we simply don't work well together.

[@wallacebankley3384]

You must be the happiest person to discover Alex Cattoni

[@WendiWells]

Awesome and truly helpful video! This came at a perfect time! I really need to let go a long time massage therapy client (15 years) who is a passive aggressive soul sucking energy vampire. Over the years I had grown to resent and dread her. Not a good vibe for my massage therapy business!

[@AlexCattoni]

Oh no! I'm glad this video was helpful!

[@SHOWisLOVE]

my clients are @$$ hats. im soooo sick of them

[@AlexCattoni]

Oh no! Nothing wrong with parting ways when you find clients who are more aligned!

[@HypnotistKY]

My wifes co-worker had a therapist straight up ghost her. I know it's terrible, but it kinda made me chuckle. (Just for a second, i pulled myself together quickly)

[@lemarfouriesos8634]

I am a business owner and i have full control over which clients i decide to work with

[@miguelvangel]

My client sent me the logo they Made or bought themselves and they told me that logo sucked and was "super ugly", literally like wtf, but managing boundaries, good video

[@amelia6066]

treat artists w respect

[@felicialartey8865]

I have fired many clients it give me rest in my head

[@TheWritingsofAndrew]

Hello Alex, Question for you if I may. How do I go about finding job opportunities for writing slogans and taglines? Appreciate any and all input thanks.

[@AlexCattoni]

Same as if you were looking to find a copywriting job for anything else! Networking, cold outreach, making yourself and your services visible on social media, etc. You might have luck searching job forums too. Good luck!

[@emanuel_soundtrack]

I guess i have this skills. But what if the client does excuses to postpone the convo? As does my client now. He finished contract so every hard issue i have to tell or ask will only low my rating on Upwork, What a hell this world, the most powerful aways abusing!

[@yuhana7057]

very good video alex, this is a very important conversation to have as a freelancer, can alex add Indonesian translate

[@raviarya2257]

Hello alex..... Thankyou for enlighten us from your experience.... If you see this comment.....please try to answer one question..... Everything was fine between me and client ..... Then he wanted some extra work which was time taking ...... Then i asked him for some extra fee.....then he start telling me that i am unprofessional and my work is not worth it. How am i supposed to react on this?

[@AlexCattoni]

Find yourself a new client. If someone does not value your work, and is asking for extra work from you without expecting to pay for it, this is not a good client.

[@AnilKumar-wd7gt]

Hey Alex....love the value you provide in your videos. I am wondering, for those who have just learned copywriting and are ready to step into the real world, could you give two or three copywriting tasks/exercises for such people (like me) and then give your answers too in a following videos. I feel this will be a realistic way for us to put into practice what you are teaching through your vudeos.

[@AlexCattoni]

Yes! I do have a copywriting exercises video :) and I'm planning on doing another one soon. Here's a link to the one I've already done: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5ralIN5adNqhNk

[@thetruth4610]

Some writers should probably work on their customer service skills and pay attention to instruction though- I've found many to get too full of themselves after having a few clients, when people on Fiverr are doing a superior job lol... there are always two sides! But yes some clients are a pain in the 🍑

[@AlexCattoni]

Absolutely! There are always two sides!

[@SamVanderWielen]

Clear expectations are best on both sides, for sure!

[@DeepFriedGoblin]

I need advise, i've just got my first upwork job, but, unfortunately, i was kinda desperate for a job and accepted a job that doesn't pay that much and i'm kinda being exploited, she's asking me for so many changes once i delivered the complete project, she hasn't really payed me because all the files i delivered are under the milestone arragement so she can keep asking for changes because they are being "reviewed", and i've had all sorts of problems with the project, but it's my FIRST CLIENT and i'm afraid she will give me a bad review if i decide to end the contract, causing me trouble to grow as freelancer in the platform, pleaseee help me, i need professional advise and how to minimize the damage

[@wchorski]

Getting those 5 star reviews as an early creative is important. So it's expected to go a bit above and beyond for unfair clients. You may be a bit farther in the deep end on this, but here is one strategy If you're predicting that the current notes for "small changes" may spiral to a long drawn-out process, then it's time to develop a inspiration board. Find, talk, and critique current works that are like your current project. Spend as much time here as you think YOU need that will exhaust any nitpicks on your work. This takes the load off you on creating draft after draft while still *keeping the ball rolling*. For future, you should be developing a detailed but condensed contract. The biggest one you need to write out is a "number of revisions" section

[@knuttlaarsen7218]

Can't know how I bumped onto this. Anyway GREAT video 🤩🤩🤩. I also have been watching those similar from mStarTutorials and kinda wonder how you guys make these stuff. MStar Tutorials also had cool information about similiar things on his vids.

[@AlexCattoni]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@sassy5198]

1st pin me up

[@easyenglishwithnancy7424]

Amazing! It's exactly what I was looking for on YT

[@AlexCattoni]

Glad I could help!