It’s time to do some spring cleaning. Go through your client list and get rid of the clutter.
Start with the ones who owe you money and aren’t paying. You don’t need them. Oh, I know, you care about them. They’re just going through a tough time. They’ll pay you eventually.
Fine, make an arrangement. A payment schedule. Give them more time. But not much. You have a business to run and bills to pay and you can’t be chasing after people to pay you. If they don’t pay, show them the door.
Next up, get rid of the ones who make your life miserable. The complainers. The micro-managers. The trouble makers. Say bye bye to clients who are a nuisance to you and your employees.
What’s that? You need the money? You can’t afford to jettison paying clients no matter how much trouble they cause?
You can’t afford not to.
These clients may fill up your bank account but they are a drain on your psyche. They’re bad for your health and the health of your practice. You can replace them with better clients. If you’re not ready to fire these pain-in-the-ass clients today, make a plan to do it as soon as possible. 90 days at the latest.
(Nature really does abhor a vacuum. When you get rid of some clients, new clients will come your way to fill the void.)
Okay, that’s bad clients. Next, take a look at your “wrong†clients. The ones who have matters outside your primary practice areas. The ones with cases that are too small or who take up too much of your time relative to the fees you charge them. The ones with work you don’t enjoy. The ones who can’t or won’t pay top dollar to have you as their attorney.
Yep, fire them too.
Move them out and make room for more clients like your ideal client. They’re out there and they will come.
Clients owe you money? Here’s how to Get the Check
