I’ve talked a lot about red flags in a social media consultant, but not as much about client red flags.

Recognizing client red flags before you actually start working together can save you loads of headaches and will save you from having to fire a client. And your business will be healthier because of it.

So what are some that I have encountered? Let’s take a look.

Overly negative response to my price

I have nothing against negotiations. It’s a part of the process of working with great clients. We’re all trying to save a buck after all. But there is a line. If someone crosses that line, it’s time to move on.

What does that look like? Well I’ve researched my prices a lot over the years, and I know that they are completely fair for the kind of service I provide. In fact, most of my friends who do the same kind of work say I undercharge. So when I go into a negotiation, I know that I’m giving my potential clients a good deal, especially since I give a small discount for retainer clients.

And yet… the response some of my prospective clients have had to my quotes has not been great. These are very much in the minority, which confirms I’m probably undercharging, but that’s a conversation for another day. There’s a difference between seeing my prices as a discussion point and throwing an insult my way. “It doesn’t take that much work to post on social media.” “You don’t live in New York City.” And I have heard various other odd and somewhat insulting statements. Then there are those who laugh and low ball me to such a degree that the best thing I can do is move on.

Seriously, as soon as something insulting is said or the lowest of number is thrown at you, it’s time to move on. They don’t respect what you do, and it’s just best to find someone who will.

“I’m being forced to hire you.”

A prospective client actually said that to me. Since I was still early in my business and needed the work, I decided to take the job anyway. I have a way of winning people over, and I figured that this wouldn’t be any different.

And you know what? I did win this person over. They loved me by the time we ended our working relationship. But it happened with way too much work on my end. That work could have been used to do better work for my clients or to bring in other clients. Instead, I was bending over backwards to simply be liked and respected.

If you are like me and have a people pleasing nature, just know that you don’t have to please everyone. And if someone is rude enough to want you to know they are being forced to hire you, it’s okay to walk away and do something better with your time.

They don’t respect social media marketing

Every once in awhile, I have a prospective client come along who says they need to hire for social media, and then it becomes increasingly clear that they don’t think social media does anything. They just need to check the box that they’re doing something. This kind of client then falls into one of two categories. The first is where they completely ignore me and want nothing to do with what I am doing. The second is that they try to micromanage me with the mindset of old school marketing. Both categories are a nightmare.

The first will never get you the information you need to make sure you are not working in a silo. What ends up happening in that situation is that you try to make it work while your content steers further and further away from what the organization is doing. You are then proving the client right that social media doesn’t matter, because it’s no longer tied to business goals. And because you don’t know what’s going on, the chances are very good that you will make a really bad mistake. That will never look good for your business.

The micromanager, on the other hand, wants their hands on everything. They don’t know why you’re doing certain things, and they don’t care. Everything has to perfectly fall in line with old school marketing principles that no longer apply. And the social media presence suffers right along with your mental health. Everything takes much, much longer, and you’re explaining the same things over and over again. In the end, the kind of social media you can put out is not good, and you aren’t getting good results. Once again, proving this person right about social media.

Neither situation is going to serve your business, so just walk on the second you realize the prospective client doesn’t respect social media marketing.

Trust your gut

There are so many other red flags when it comes to prospective clients. These three just have affected my business the most, and I feel like they are the most universal.

In the end, if something feels wrong with a prospective client, it probably is. Consider it a red flag and move on as quickly and gracefully as you possibly can. You will be so much happier not accepting them as a client.

What have been your prospective client red flags?