Most freelance writers spend a large portion of their first months and years working to build up a client base. The ability to work on a regular basis with established clients provides you with the peace of mind in knowing that you have a fairly regular paycheck you can depend on each month. More than that, you can enjoy the benefit of spending your work days actually working on money-making projects rather than searching for work to do. This truly can take the stress out of freelance writing. However, there are times when working with some clients is just more hassle than it’s worth. So when should end these toxic business relationships, and how can you do it?

Signs It May Be Time to End a Relationship

So when should you end a relationship with a client? This is something that should be considered very carefully. After all, giving up a steady paycheck is not something to be taken lightly. With this in mind, consider if the client is making incredible demands that are affecting your ability to be profitable with other assignments or to focus on work you are doing for other clients. Is your client asking you to do extra work without offering to compensate for that extra work? Are the demands for revisions rather ridiculous? Is the client difficult to work with? The fact is that no relationship should be unpleasant. There are many different clients who you can work with, and if one client is truly unpleasant or difficult, you can make your work days much happier and less stressful by ending a relationship.

Before You End the Relationship

If a client provides you with only a small amount of income, you may consider ending the relationship as soon as possible. If, on the other end, this client provides you with a large source of your weekly or monthly income, you should consider finding additional work to supplement the loss of income that you will experience when you end the relationship. When you are the one who chooses to end the relationship, you have complete control over lining up more work to do. This can make the process of ending your relationship less significant for you.

How to End the Relationship

Even if you have a pretty bitter taste in your mouth about your experiences with this client, it is always best to try to end a relationship on a high note. With this in mind, consider telling the client that your work availability has changed or some other similar excuse. Keeping the reason for ending the relationship above board and avoiding citing personal differences or some other touchy reason can help to keep things positive.

Ending any kind of relationship can be difficult, and this includes ending a business relationship. However, there are times when ending a relationship is in your best interest or in the best interest of both parties. If you have been considering ending a relationship with a client for awhile, carefully consider the effects and start looking for a new client to work with instead.