If you're a freelancer or service professional, you know the pain of the “problem client”. Once they are “inside your gates”, they cause nothing but trouble.

They complain about everything from the font size in the PDF you gave them, to the claim that you didn't give enough detail in the product, or that you have too much information in the product. They pester you with the most requests, that go beyond the scope of what they paid for. They threaten you.

You've been there, surely. You've said to yourself, “Oh, great. He's one of those. A problem client.”

Once you realize you have one of these trouble-makers on your hands, you are faced with two choices: continue to receive the abuse heaped upon you… or fire them. Neither of these is pleasant. But my advice is: as soon as you recognize one of these clients, show them the door. Get paid for the work you've done, pay them back for any work you haven't done, and move on as quickly as possible.

But how do we end up with these “Problem Clients”? Wouldn't it be great if there was a way to avoid working with these jerks to begin with? Well, I've got good news – you can learn to attract your “Perfect Client”, and repel the “Problem Client”, by using these ‘5 Filters for Client Selection.'

Decide that starting today, you simply will not accept clients who bring any of the”stuff that drives you crazy” to the table.

You will only accept clients who fit your “perfect client profile” to a tee. No exceptions.

How do you do this? I think the best way is to find natural ways of “seeding” these criteria right into your marketing and content. Use strong language. Here's an example – you use copy similar to the following on your website, or in a blog post or email:

What I look for in a client is:

Conversely, here are a few things that I will not tolerate from a client:

I don't share these criteria to make you angry or to judge you; I've just learned who usually turns out to be a good match for working with us, and who doesn't.

That copy makes it easy for potential clients to get a sense of whether they want to work with me, or not. They are making the selection themselves.

And in case you missed this: I just now did what I'm telling you to do. I gave you my criteria for working with someone… so if you are a person who complains a lot, or wants to micromanage a freelancer, or who is looking for a “cheap date”, you can clearly see we won't be a good fit for one another.

Make them apply to work with you (and mean it).

Give your potential clients an application form, or require them to go through an interview process. Make it clear you do not accept everyone who applies.

The purpose of this tactic is not to deliver a veiled sales pitch. It's to get very clear on what you are selling, who it is for, and for whom it is not. Some people really do use “applications” and “interviews” as part of a sales process, and though they say they don't just take anyone as a client, in fact they will accept anyone who can write a check that will clear.

That approach will just get you more clients that make you miserable (and vice-versa).

You have to mean it when you say you are screening people to determine if you are a good match. And when you mean it, both sides win.

I have turned many clients away, clients who really wanted to work with me, because I knew we didn't have the right chemistry, or share the same values.

You must be prepared to do the same.

Will you get complaints about all this? Yes.

Will some people feel the need to write long diatribes, explaining why you are wrong to operate your business this way? Yes.

Will some people stop doing business with you? Possibly.

But your people – your “tribe” – will hear your voice above all the confusion in the marketplace. They will be drawn to you. They will rally to your cause. They have been paying attention, and already know and agree with your core values.

These people are your people.

Lead them well, and they will pay you well.

And you will find yourself attracting more of these “perfect clients”, and repelling the “problem children”.

Question: How do you deal with problem clients? Click here to share your thoughts on this article.