How to Set Boundaries with Clients
When you run your own business, it is important to set boundaries with your clients in order to maintain a healthy work-life balance and ensure that your business runs as smoothly as possible.
Setting boundaries not only ensure you maintain a healthy work-life balance but can also help you to establish a professional image and build trust with your clients. When you set boundaries with clients from the outset, all parties know where they are and what they can expect from the business relationship.
In this blog post, we will discuss some tips on how you can set boundaries with your clients as a female business owner.
Be clear about your availability
One of the most important boundaries that you should set is being clear about your working hours and availability. Let your clients know from the outset both your working hours and when you are available to communicate with them. This will manage their expectations of your contactable hours and prevent them from expecting you to be available 24/7.
Communicating your availability clearly cuts out the chances of a client being disappointed or frustrated that you don’t answer their telephone call at 9 pm on a Saturday night (for example), because you have already made it clear that this falls outside of your contactable hours.
Setting this particular boundary is essential for your well-being too because you are free to disconnect from work after hours, and not let it interfere with your personal life.
Communicate your expectations
Clearly communicate your expectations for communication, deadlines, and payment terms to your clients. This will help prevent misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is on the same page. Make sure to have these expectations in writing, and make sure that they are easily accessible to your clients. This can be a part of a contract, or on your website. This will help your clients to understand your business policies, and in turn, respect them.
Any contract or agreement you make with new clients should include all details about how long the contract lasts, policies on being late, no-shows, etc. Set the expectations from the get-go. By communicating them effectively, you will show respect, trust and credibility in yourself and in your clients.
Learn to say no
It can be difficult to turn down work or clients, especially when you are still establishing your business. However, it is important to know your limits and not take on more than you can handle. Saying no will prevent burnout and allow you to focus on the clients and projects that best fit your business.
It’s important to remember that you are the boss, and you have the final say in what you take on. By setting this boundary, you are taking control of your business and making sure you’re able to maintain the quality of your work.
Take time for yourself
When you work for yourself, it is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks of running a business and neglect your own personal needs. However, I cannot stress how important it is to take time for yourself and your personal life.
Set aside time for hobbies, family, and friends, and make sure that you are taking care of yourself both physically and mentally. By taking care of yourself, you will be better equipped to handle the demands of running a business.
Delegate
As a solopreneur, you might think you have to do it all yourself. However, If you often find yourself overwhelmed, you should consider delegating tasks to others.
This could mean hiring an assistant or a virtual assistant on an ad-hoc basis, outsourcing certain tasks (such as paying an accountant to deal with your tax return), or working with freelancers.
By delegating tasks, you will free up your time and allow you to focus on the more important aspects of running your business. It’s also a great way to build a team that can help you grow your business.
Work with a Business Coach
If you need help learning how to effectively set boundaries with your clients, working with a Business Coach will be of huge benefit to you.
A business coach can work with you to identify what healthy client boundaries look like to you, and help you build strategies to enforce them.
Working with a business will help you sort out the many complex issues of running a business, including how to set boundaries with clients.
In conclusion
Setting boundaries as a female business owner is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance and running a successful business. By being clear about your availability, communicating your expectations, and learning to say no, you can establish a professional image and build trust with your clients.
Remember to take care of yourself, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. By setting these boundaries, you will be able to focus on growing your business and achieving your goals.
Get in Touch to book a Free 30 Minute telephone call and find out how I can help you learn the practical and business skills needed to effectively set boundaries with clients.
