I coach writers in order to be of service and to contribute to the creation of something I am excited about and will be proud to have been a part of. If I can't do that, the client is not a good fit.
Many years ago I learned something from Ed Gandia that I printed out and posted on my wall in LARGE LETTERS! He said, "Your job is not to close every opportunity. You can't close what is not closeable. Your job is to place an accurate value on what you have to offer. If they can't pay that, walk away." He was talking more about the front end of things, when you are taking on new clients, but I think it is good advice and also relevant to the experience you describe here, Jennie.
I also had a big client who started every session with "I'm so happy we are working together, I couldn't do this without you" who sold her book with my help, quit out of the blue at the end of last year, all the while singing my praises. That took some wind out of my sails.
Many years ago I learned something from Ed Gandia that I printed out and posted on my wall in LARGE LETTERS! He said, "Your job is not to close every opportunity. You can't close what is not closeable. Your job is to place an accurate value on what you have to offer. If they can't pay that, walk away." He was talking more about the front end of things, when you are taking on new clients, but I think it is good advice and also relevant to the experience you describe here, Jennie.
Love this, Jennie. So hard but so important that you do you.
Thank you, Janet. You've been there. You know. And it's so much better when you choose.
I let a big client go last year and didn’t do it in the best way because I’d let things go too long. That was a good lesson.
It's SO HARD to get it right.
I also had a big client who started every session with "I'm so happy we are working together, I couldn't do this without you" who sold her book with my help, quit out of the blue at the end of last year, all the while singing my praises. That took some wind out of my sails.
Ugh yeah... I've had that happen too. Clear outcomes, clear milestones, clear endings are something to work on for sure.