Passing on clients

what do I do with them?

[stuartmcdonald]

I've got a collection of small clients I've looked after, spread across UK, USA, Thailand and Australia. Other business stuff I do is expanding and so I don't really have the time to give them they're now requiring. I look after their hosting as well.

Any suggestions on how best to cut them loose?I know nothing about web design companies in UK,US,Oz so its difficult to be able to recommend particular firms, and I'm not sure firms would be that interested as they're pretty small fry.

Any suggestions on approaches to take or am I better just to say hasta la vista and let them sort it out.

Thanks

[percentages]

>Any suggestions on approaches to take or am I better just to say hasta la vista and let them sort it out.

I've been there and done that. Just say "Hasta La Vista" and move on!

Is this a hard approach.....sure it is.....but it is also the one that will see you prosper!

[rubenski]

I think other companies would be happy to take over your clients. Just send out an email to some small webdesign companies with good port folios. I would give your clients the choice between moving to the company you selected or finding a new webdesign company by themselves.

[crashomon]

Well, the cost to acquire new clients is expensive, so keep them on your good side because you never know when they'll "grow up" and become a good fit for your services. However, if you genuinely need to move on, simply offer them a few places to contact other firms that can service them and give them 30 days to prepare for the cutoff.

Good luck,

Patrick Elward

[sanity]

Can you increase your rates? Either they'll stick with you and you make more or they leave of their own accord. Either way problem solved.

[SEOMike]

Either way problem solved.

I'd have to disagree with this approach. I've tried that before, the client paid the new HIGH fee, and expected a LOT more when he did. It made a bad situation worse.

Tell them you recommend Mom and Pop Websuperheros (or something) and that your new business model will no longer support the services they require, and that they have 60 days to get everything transferred over to the company of their choice. Then wish them the best of luck

Good luck... that's not an easy email to write.

[johntabita]

In his book Million Dollar Consulting, author Alan Weiss advises that you regularly abandon the bottom 15% of your market, but to do so gracefully. While these clients may no longer represent your future, they certainly were intrumental in getting you were you are today, so they deserve more than being simply "dumped."

He suggests that you can either establish relationships with firms that are where you were 2 years ago, or else recommend a handful of companies for your client's consideration.

[ggmike]

I don't think you should just dump them. Find a smaller webdesign company (trust me theres plenty) and SELL them your clients. It might not be much money, but when you have to do nothing you can't complain!

BTW - by sell I mean take a commision like 15% of all business you generate for the company.