Let’s talk about that client.

The one who constantly texts.

Who emails you five times in a day.

Who asks the same questions you’ve already answered (twice).

Who sends “just checking in!” messages before you’ve even had a chance to breathe.

We all have 'em. It's just part of the game that we chose to play.

And it’s a terrible place to be.

Because on one hand, you want to keep them happy. You want the relationship—and yes, the revenue—to stay intact.

But on the other hand… You can’t live your life glued to your inbox, reacting to a constant stream of chaos from an unhinged client with nothing better to do with their time.

So... what do you do?

First, accept this: Some clients are just bad fits

Yes, some clients are simply too chaotic, too disrespectful, or too out-of-alignment to salvage. Those ones? Hate to say it, but when you have one of these you make your exit as soon as you can.

But...

Here's the truth: Most “bad” clients aren’t actually bad. They’re just nervous.

The truth is, most bad clients are capable of becoming good clients... if you know how to manage them.

When you're client is constantly sending up flares like those ☝️ it's usually because they feel like the project is out of control. And their reaction to that is to try and gain some control by micromanaging, filling in the gaps, and aggressively overcompensating.

And I hate to say it, but... that’s on you.

When clients don’t feel like you have control, they’ll try to take it back.

Think of it this way: If a client feels like the project is drifting… If they’re not sure what’s happening, what’s next, or what’s expected of them…

They’re going to start reaching out. Not because they want to bug you. But because they’re anxious and don’t know what else to do.

They’re reacting to the uncertainty that you've created.

So if ya you want to get out of this hell hole nightmare, ya gotta remove the uncertainty...

Here's how.

​
The fix: structure + communication

Yes, you need a clear plan. But more importantly, the client needs to understand the plan.

They need to know:

• What phase you’re in
• What phase comes next
• What’s done, what’s in progress, what’s still unclear
• What the timeline looks like
• When they’ll hear from you next

Basic project management is as much for your client as it is for you.

In short — when clients understand the roadmap, they stop trying to build one themselves.

A real-world example

One of my students was recently dealing with a nightmare client. Multiple calls, constant texts, erratic emails— back to back to back.

After we talked it through, she created a single document that did three things:

1. Mapped out the entire project with clear milestones and due dates
2. Explained what she needed from the client and when
3. Set expectations for communication: “You’ll receive updates from me every Tuesday and Friday at 1pm.” (this one is critical)

She sent it off with a short, calm note.

Within a week, the chaos stopped. The client chilled out. And when questions came up, they were clear, respectful, and much easier to handle.

Why? Because the client didn’t feel like they were free-falling anymore. There was a structure. There was predictable communication.

The big takeaway:

Most clients don’t want to manage you. They just want to feel safe.

Give them a roadmap.

Communicate clearly.

Set expectations.

Stick to your own rhythm.

If you do that, the “crazy client” often becomes your most respectful, easy-to-work-with partner.

Have a great week guys!

— Shane