Re: Defining your *ideal* client
Tess, thank you so much. I'm printing this off and keeping it as a reminder. When we start out we take on anyone and usually pay dearly for it in terms of headaches and aggravation. Working the Wizard as a sideline since the early 80s I've fired 3 but I wasn't dependant on the income at the time and can understand why newbies put up with things in the beginning.
I've had a tiny client for about 3 years who pops up a couple of times a year with very small things. About a year ago he tossed me something that was graphic design, which I don't do - her was desperate (or so he said). I gave it a shot (bad me, should have said no) and suggested he get a graphic designer. Well, his GD was ill (uhuh, and charges much more than I do). I didn't bill him for it as it was beyond me and he promised a referral, which didn't happen.
A few weeks ago he emailed asking if there was a way to link Excel spreadsheets for a survey he was thinking of doing. "Don't research it, I know the code but can't remember". I replied that I was taking a few months off (true) and suggested he use Survey Monkey. The response was a terse "Enjoy your time off, thanks".
Basically I've fired him and if he contacts me again he'll get a "sorry, I'm fully booked". His few dollars a year was nothing to me, but it was the principle of being used and firing him felt soooo good.
Lynne
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