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The Bad Client Playbook

Red Flags, Boundaries, and How to Fire Clients Gracefully

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The Bad Client Playbook

By: Sam Patterson
Narrated by: Tony J Martin
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About this listen

Your time and skills are valuable, and your bad clients are holding you back. It’s time to cut ties! Do you have a nightmare client who’s costing you more time and money than they’re worth? Or perhaps you have a difficult one who you’re not sure won’t become a problem further down the line. Maybe you have neither, but you’ve had them before, and now you’re determined to spot them before you agree to work with them. Nearly every freelancer has a story to tell about a client who made their life hell—and they’ll all tell you that it took its toll on their health, happiness, and job satisfaction. You didn’t start your freelance career to be in this situation. You started it because you have a valuable skill that deserves to be paid for fairly—and because you want the freedom that comes with working for yourself. Your nightmare client is crushing that dream and holding you back from the business you deserve… so it’s time to take action!

Sam Patterson has interviewed over 60 freelancers in depth, and using their stories, he’s created a framework you can use to screen clients before you work with them, recognize when it’s time to cut ties, and fire them professionally without landing yourself in a legal mess.

Firing your nightmare clients is the best decision you’ll ever make, and it will be much easier to replace the money you were getting from them than you think. This essential guide for freelancers will show you how.

It’s normal to feel guilty about terminating a contract with a client, and it’s natural to worry about whether you’ll be able to replace the income. But the reality is that a nightmare client is costing you far more than they’re benefiting you, and you deserve better. It’s time to make a change. The right time to drop a nightmare client is now!

©2025 Sam Patterson (P)2025 Sam Patterson
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Listener received this title free

I struggle hard with guilt. I feel like I owe my clients everything just because they hired me. This audiobook tackles that psychological side of things really well. It explains why we feel that obligation and why it is actually hurting our business.

Hearing the stories from other freelancers made me feel way less alone. It made me realize that setting boundaries doesn't make me a mean person; it makes me a professional. If you are a people-pleaser like me, you need to hear this.

Helping me get over the guilt trip

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Listener received this title free

The audiobook helps listeners rethink how they approach client conflicts. The advice feels balanced and fair.

Better Client Management

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Listener received this title free

Clear and concise guidance on improving business communication. The ideas are practical and manageable .

Simple Yet Effective

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Listener received this title free

I logically knew I should fire a particular client, but I was paralyzed by worry. What if they bad-mouthed me? What if I couldn't replace the income? What if I was overreacting? The book addresses these fears directly and explains why they're usually overblown. Most clients you fire just move on quietly. The income is usually easier to replace than you think because you're no longer spending time on unprofitable work. And you're probably not overreacting—if you're considering firing a client, there's likely a good reason. Having those fears acknowledged and addressed gave me the push I needed to take action. The client I was worried about took it professionally and I never heard from them again.

The fear section was what I really needed

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Listener received this title free

As a video editor, I've faced producers who nitpick endlessly. One project last month turned into a nightmare with constant changes. This listen provided a tree for decisions that clarified my options. Recognized manipulation in negotiations I used to brush off. Calculated the toll on my bank and energy—eye-opening numbers. Opted to fire using a concise method, and the response was neutral. Recovery involved tightening my intake process, which netted better gigs soon after. The fear management part addressed my worries about income gaps accurately. Helped me reclaim control in my work life.

The scripts work

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