Reasons to Say No to Clients

Do You Refuse to Work for New Clients?

“For that reason, I’m out.”

If you’ve ever watched Dragon’s Den (or its Aussie counterpart, Shark Tank), you’re intimately familiar with that final verdict. It’s uttered by some very successful entrepreneurs when they decide a particular investment opportunity isn’t a good fit.

So how often do you say it to your prospects?

Maybe you should say it a little more often.

You know how it goes: Some potential client emails you about working together. Perhaps he wants a new website, or some copy, or marketing advice. Doesn’t matter. You and him discuss the work a little further, and you realize…

Your potential client is about to make a huge, expensive mistake.

Even if you invest hours, even despite doing your very best work, you know in your heart of hearts that this person is about to waste his money on something that won’t work.

What do you do?

Most people shrug. “That’s what the client wants… not my fault if it doesn’t pan out as he planned!”

But here’s the thing: You do have a responsibility to serve your clients well. 

If you take on a project knowing that your work and his money will be a complete waste, it’s (in my humble opinion) wrong not to tell this person the state of affairs.

I see it all the time – some people get so excited about their ideas that they can’t see the forest for the trees.

• They don’t realise the business model is broken,
• or that the idea sounds fun but just won’t make money,
• or that there’s a huge gap in the marketing strategy that nearly guarantees a failure.

The money’s just burning a hole in their pockets because they want to see their idea become reality fast. And they want you to do the work.

You’re the expert. You should know better than to accept the job.