Losing a client as a freelancer can be a tough pill to swallow. However, it’s important to remember that it’s a common occurrence in the freelance world, and it doesn’t mean the end of the road for you.
In this article, I’ll draw on my own experience as a freelancer (and my unfortunate experience of losing big clients) to help you understand the best ways to deal with losing clients of your own.
How To Respond To Losing A Client As A Freelancer
When you discover that a client is no longer interested in working with you, it’s essential to take a step back and assess the situation objectively. Avoid taking it personally or getting defensive. Instead, try to understand the reasons behind their decision.
Was it a specific issue with your work?
A change in their business needs?
Something unrelated to your performance?
By honestly evaluating the situation, you can gain valuable insights that will help you grow as a freelancer.
Learn From Feedback
Once you’ve processed the initial disappointment, don’t hesitate to reach out to the client and ask for feedback. Politely request their insights on what you could have done differently or improved.
This approach demonstrates your professionalism and willingness to learn from the experience. Remember, constructive criticism can be invaluable in improving your skills and client relationships in the future.
Not only can you learn a lot from this, but the client may respond well to your willingness to improve and still consider you for work in the future.
Maintain A Positive & Professional Attitude
Even if you feel disappointed or frustrated about losing a client, it’s crucial to maintain a positive and professional attitude throughout the process. Your reputation as a freelancer relies on how you handle challenging situations.
Thank the client for the opportunity to work with them, express your understanding of their decision, and wish them well in their future endeavors. By doing so, you leave a positive impression and keep the door open for potential future collaborations.
Diversify Your Client Base
Losing a client can also serve as a reminder to diversify your client base. Dependence on a single client for the majority of your income puts you at risk of significant financial setbacks if they decide to move on. I’ve learned this the hard way a few times on my freelancing journey.
Use this experience as a motivation to seek out new opportunities and expand your network. Invest time in marketing yourself, reaching out to potential clients, and showcasing your skills and expertise. By broadening your client base, you’ll create a more stable and resilient freelance business.
Evaluate & Enhance Your Offerings
Take the time to evaluate your services after losing a client.
Are there areas where you can improve, expand, or specialize to attract new clients?
Reflect on the feedback you receive (or ask for some if you don’t get any at first) and identify any patterns or common themes that could guide your efforts. Perhaps there are additional skills you can develop or niches you can explore to make yourself more marketable. Use this setback as an opportunity for growth and self-improvement.
Now let’s look at how to deal with losing your very first client as a freelancer, as that can be a huge setback when you’re not expecting it.
How To Deal With Losing Your First Client As A Freelancer
It’s natural to feel disappointed, worried, and discouraged when you lose your first freelancing client. But remember, it happens to most freelancers at some point, and it doesn’t define your future success!
Acknowledge Your Emotions
Losing your first client can be an emotional experience. You may feel a mix of disappointment, self-doubt, or even a sense of failure. It’s essential to acknowledge and accept these emotions.
Allow yourself to feel them without judgment. Remember that setbacks are a part of any career journey, and this is an opportunity for personal and professional growth.
Reflect On The Experience
Take some time to reflect on your experience with the client. Consider what went well and what could have been improved. Were there any signs or red flags that you missed? Use this opportunity to gain valuable insights that will help you refine your freelance approach moving forward.
Focus On The Positive
While losing your first client can be disheartening, try to focus on the positive aspects of the experience. Recognize the skills you’ve developed and the knowledge you’ve gained.
Celebrate the successes and milestones you achieved while working with that client. By shifting your perspective to the positive aspects, you’ll maintain a healthy mindset and a sense of gratitude for the opportunity.
Seek Feedback
If they don’t offer it up right away, reach out to your former client and kindly request feedback on your work. This feedback will give you valuable insights into areas where you can improve.
Be open to constructive criticism and use it as a stepping stone for growth. Remember that feedback is not a personal attack but an opportunity to refine your skills and better serve future clients. And as a beginner freelancer, you’re definitely going to have plenty of opportunities to refine your skills!
Take Action & Stay Motivated
Instead of dwelling on the loss, channel your energy into taking action. Use this setback as a motivation to improve your skills, expand your network, and seek new opportunities.
Update your portfolio and website if you have one, reach out to potential clients, and actively market yourself. Remember that perseverance and a proactive approach are key to building a successful freelance career.
Build A Support Network
During challenging times, it’s crucial to have a support network of fellow freelancers or mentors who can offer guidance and encouragement. Connect with like-minded professionals in your industry through online communities, forums, or networking events.
Share your experiences, learn from others, and seek support when you need to. Having a supportive community can help you stay motivated and bounce back stronger.
Keep Growing & Evolving
Finally, losing your first client is just one chapter of your freelance journey. Use this experience to assess your skills, identify areas for improvement, and invest in your professional development.
Consider taking courses, attending workshops, or seeking mentorship to enhance your expertise. Continuously evolving, growing, and learning as a freelancer will position you for long-term success!
Okay, we know that losing your first client as a freelancer is tough. It’s a wake-up call for sure!
But what about losing a major client? How do you bounce back from losing a major source of income?
How To Deal With Losing A Major Freelance Client
Losing a major client, especially the one who has been paying you the most, can be a significant blow to your freelance business. It’s understandable to feel a sense of panic or uncertainty (again, something I know all too well).
However, by taking the right steps and maintaining a proactive mindset, you can navigate through this challenge and come out stronger.
Assess The Financial Impact
Losing a major client can obviously have a significant financial impact on your freelance business. Start by evaluating the financial implications and understanding how much of your income was dependent on that client.
Take a look at your budget, expenses, and savings to assess how long you can sustain your business without their revenue. This evaluation will help you plan your next steps more effectively.
It’ll also make you far more aware of where your earnings come from, and you’ll be less likely to rely on just one client again in the future.
Don’t Panic & Evaluate The Reasons
While it’s natural to feel a sense of panic, it’s important not to let it overwhelm you. Take a step back and evaluate the reasons behind losing the major client.
Was it due to a change in their business needs, budget constraints, or a specific issue with your work?
Understanding the reasons can provide insights and help you avoid similar situations in the future.
Communicate Professionally
Maintain a professional approach when communicating with the client about their decision to part ways. Express your gratitude for the opportunity to work with them and acknowledge their decision.
Ask for feedback on your performance to gain valuable insights that can allow you to improve things on your end. Remember, maintaining a positive relationship, even after losing a client, can open doors for future collaborations or referrals.
Now let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons you might be losing clients as a freelancer.
8 Reasons Why You’re Losing Freelancing Clients
1. Lack Of Communication
Communication is key in any business relationship. If you fail to maintain regular and effective communication with your clients, it can lead to misunderstandings, missed deadlines, and a lack of trust.
Make sure to establish clear channels of communication, promptly respond to client inquiries, and provide regular project updates to keep clients informed and satisfied.
2. Subpar Quality Of Work
The quality of your work is directly tied to client satisfaction and retention. If your deliverables consistently fall short of expectations or fail to meet the client’s requirements, it’s likely that they will seek out other freelancers who can deliver higher quality results.
Continuously strive to improve your skills, pay attention to detail, and ensure that your work meets or ideally exceeds client expectations.
3. Missed Deadlines
Meeting deadlines is crucial for maintaining a professional reputation. If you frequently miss project deadlines or fail to deliver work on time, clients may perceive you as unreliable and seek out freelancers who can consistently meet their expectations.
Develop effective time management skills, set realistic deadlines, and communicate any potential delays or challenges to clients in advance.
4. Lack Of Professionalism
Professionalism is essential in freelancing. If you exhibit unprofessional behavior, such as being disrespectful, unresponsive, or failing to honor agreements, it can damage your reputation and lead to you losing clients. Always maintain a professional demeanor, adhere to deadlines and agreements, and treat your clients with respect.
5. Poor Client Relationship Management
Building and maintaining strong client relationships is vital for long-term success as a freelancer. If you neglect to nurture relationships with your clients, they may feel undervalued or unappreciated and seek out other freelancers who prioritize relationship building.
Take the time to understand your clients’ needs, provide exceptional customer service, and go the extra mile to build lasting connections.
6. Lack Of Adaptability
As a freelancer, you must be adaptable to changing client needs and industry trends. If you fail to evolve and offer new services or skills to meet market demands, clients may turn to freelancers who can offer a more comprehensive range of services.
Stay up to date on industry developments, invest in continuous learning, and be willing to expand your skill set to stay competitive.
7. Value Misalignment
If clients perceive that the value you provide does not align with your pricing, they may seek out more affordable alternatives or freelancers who offer a higher return on investment.
Regularly assess your pricing structure and ensure that it reflects the value you bring to the table. Communicate the benefits and unique selling points of your services to help clients understand the value you have to offer.
8. Changes In Client Circumstances
Sometimes, client loss is beyond your control. Clients may undergo organizational changes, experience budget constraints, or shift their business focus, leading them to reduce or discontinue their engagement with freelancers.
While these circumstances are unavoidable, maintaining open lines of communication and demonstrating flexibility can increase the likelihood of future collaborations.
5 Tips To Avoid Losing Freelance Clients
1. Prioritize Communication
Effective communication is vital for client satisfaction. Be proactive in your communication by promptly responding to client messages, providing regular updates on project progress, and being transparent about any challenges or delays. Regularly check in with your clients to ensure you’re meeting their needs and to address any concerns or questions they may have.
2. Deliver High-Quality Work
Consistently delivering high-quality work is essential for retaining clients as a freelancer. Take the time to fully understand your client’s requirements and expectations, and strive to exceed them whenever possible.
Pay attention to the finer details, review your work before submitting it, and ensure that it meets all agreed-upon standards. Providing exceptional work will keep your clients happy and more likely to continue working with you.
3. Meet Deadlines
Meeting deadlines is crucial for maintaining client trust and satisfaction. Make it a priority to consistently deliver work on time or even ahead of schedule. If unforeseen circumstances arise that may affect your ability to meet a deadline, communicate with your clients as soon as possible to discuss alternative solutions.
4. Foster Strong Client Relationships
Investing time and effort in building strong client relationships can help you keep more clients in the long run. Take the time to understand your clients’ needs, preferences, and goals.
Show genuine interest in their businesses and industries, and regularly check in with them to see how they’re doing and if there are any new projects or opportunities where you can contribute. Building a rapport with your clients creates loyalty and makes it more likely they will continue working with you.
5. Regularly Assess Your Pricing
Regularly evaluate your pricing structure to ensure it aligns with the value you offer and remains competitive in the wider market. Consider factors such as your experience, expertise, and the level of service you provide.
If necessary, adjust your pricing to reflect any changes in your skills, market demand, or the value you bring to clients. Communicate any price adjustments to your existing clients in a transparent and respectful manner.
Top Tip: If you’re raising your rates, and you can afford to do this, a great way to please your existing clients is to tell them that while you are raising your rates for new clients, their rate will stay the same. This shows that you value them as a client and that they have gained by being loyal to you as a freelancer.
Losing Freelancing Clients Is Inevitable At Some Point
As a freelancer, you’re pretty much guaranteed to lose clients at some point. Very rarely do freelancers work with a single client for their entire career!
However, by sticking to the guidance above, you can bounce back from losing clients and turn a loss into an opportunity.
If you want more actionable tips, check out our guide to getting more freelance clients.
Chris is the creator of Freelance Ready. He originally started freelancing (on Fiverr) while at university, writing and editing website content. He created this website to share his freelancing experience and help others on their own self-employed journeys. He is now a freelance SEO consultant and content editor. You can learn more about Chris here.
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