Keep Moo-Ving: Don’t Settle for the Wrong Clients 🐄🚀

Ever had a client that made you want to pull your hair out, question your life choices, or contemplate an early retirement? Yeah, us too. The truth is, not every client is a good client. Some are more trouble than they’re worth, draining your time, energy, and sanity.

The good news? You don’t have to say yes to everyone. In fact, you shouldn’t. The right clients make your business a joy to run, while the wrong ones… well, they can turn it into a nightmare.

So, let’s talk about the clients you should steer clear of—before they have you running for the hills. 🚜💨 We want to help you keep MOO-ving in the right direction!

1. The “Discount” Client 💰🚫

“Can I get a discount? What if I pay in exposure? My cousin’s friend’s dog walker said they could do it for cheaper…”

We love a good deal as much as the next person, but some clients treat pricing like a flea market. They haggle, bargain, and try to nickel-and-dime you to oblivion. Could you imagine bartering with the poor cashier at Target for a discount you felt entitled to receiving? It’s so not cool!

🔴 Red Flags:

• Asking for discounts before they even understand your value.
• Comparing your services to DIY solutions or cheaper alternatives.
• Promising “more work in the future” if you cut them a deal now.

✅ What to Do Instead:
Know your worth and stand firm. If they don’t respect your pricing, they won’t respect your work. The right clients will see your value and be willing to invest in it. When you work with happy customers, you go above and beyond for them which in return can result in repeat business.

2. The “Ghosting” Client 👻💨

“Sorry for the delay, I totally meant to get back to you… two months ago.”

Ghosting isn’t just for bad blind dates—it happens in business, too. These clients disappear mid-project, ignore emails, and then magically reappear only when they need something urgently. Ain’t nobody got time for that. It’s important to have a healthy and mutual interaction with your clients. If someone ghosts you, set clear boundaries to let them know you will not jump through hoops when they call you frantic at the last minute.

🔴 Red Flags:

• Slow or inconsistent communication.
• Ignoring invoices or contracts.
• Vanishing for weeks, then demanding immediate attention.

✅ What to Do Instead:
Set clear expectations for communication upfront. Use contracts with deadlines and payment terms. And if a client starts ghosting you early on? Take it as a sign and keep moo-ving.

3. The “Take An Inch” Client 🏗️😬

“Oh, can we just add one more thing? Shouldn’t take long, right?”

At first, they seem easygoing, but soon, their requests start piling up like an all-you-can-eat buffet plate. Suddenly, a simple project turns into a never-ending to-do list and you are not being compensated for all this extra work.

🔴 Red Flags:

• Asking for “just one more thing” without additional payment.
• Expecting extra work beyond the agreed-upon scope.
• Acting surprised when you bring up extra charges.

✅ What to Do Instead:
Be crystal clear on project scope and pricing from the start. Use contracts with boundaries and change-order fees. If they push back? That’s your cue to keep walking—er, moo-ving.

4. The “Unrealistic” Client 🏆⏳

“I need this done yesterday, and it has to be perfect. Oh, and can you make it go viral?”

Some clients want miracles. They expect high quality work overnight, value that instantly doubles their revenue, or social media posts that magically make them famous.

🔴 Red Flags:

• Expecting immediate, unrealistic results.
• Micromanaging every tiny detail.
• Getting frustrated when you explain what’s actually possible.

✅ What to Do Instead:
Manage expectations early. Educate clients on realistic timelines and outcomes. If they refuse to listen? You guessed it—keep moo-ving.

5. The “Red-Flag” Client 🚩🚩🚩

“My last five marketing agencies didn’t work out, but I’m sure you’ll be different!”

When a client badmouths every past service provider, there’s usually a reason. Spoiler: It’s probably them.

🔴 Red Flags:

• Complaining about past experiences without taking responsibility.
• Expecting you to be the one who finally “fixes” everything.
• Constantly shifting blame when things don’t go perfectly.

✅ What to Do Instead:
Trust your gut. If they seem high-maintenance before you’ve even started, it’s only going to get worse. Politely decline and let them be someone else’s problem.

How to Attract the Right Clients

Now that we’ve covered who to avoid, let’s talk about bringing in the clients you actually want to work with.

✔️ Be Clear About Who You Serve – The more specific you are about your ideal client, the more of them you’ll attract.
✔️ Have a Rock-Solid Onboarding Process – This sets expectations from the start and helps weed out bad fits early.
✔️ Trust Your Instincts – If a client feels like a bad match, they probably are. Politely pass and focus on those who align with your business values.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Settle. Keep Moo-Ving.

Your business, your rules. You don’t have to say yes to every client—especially not the ones who drain your energy, stress you out, or refuse to see your value. This type of energy has the potential to negatively affect your work with the clients you love. 

When you hold out for the right clients, you create a business that’s fulfilling, profitable, and fun to run.

And if you need help attracting your dream clients with marketing that works, Beefy Marketing is here to help.

👉 Book a discovery call today and let’s build a brand that attracts clients worth working with! 🚀🐄