Finding Your Ideal Client Balance And Workload
Ever found yourself wondering whether you should take a VIP approach to your business and work with one client at a time? Or do you thrive on the variety of managing multiple projects simultaneously? It’s a classic service provider dilemma, and it’s one that seriously impacts how you run your business.
Imagine focusing all your energy on one client. You dive deep into their project, build a strong relationship with them, and deliver high-quality results in a short amount of time. But what if a project gets cancelled or you don’t book a client? Suddenly, you’re left with a gap in your schedule and income.
Now, picture managing multiple clients. There’s never a dull moment as you bounce between projects. Plus, spreading your work across different clients helps you stabilize your income. But can your energy and quality of work keep up with the different timelines and needs for each project?
Having set up processes for both these approaches (and tried out both myself), I’ve learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t. In this blog, I’ll share my insights, guide you through the pros and cons of both, and explain how each one impacts your workflows.
Whether you’re leaning towards dedicating yourself to one client or balancing several, I’ll help you figure out what fits your business best!
The Benefits Of Juggling Multiple Clients
Thinking about taking on more multiple clients? Here’s why it could be a good move:
Stabilize Your Income
Having a few different projects on the go can make your cash flow more consistent. By balancing longer projects with shorter gigs – like Isobel Griffin does with her Done-For-You Web Copy and Copy Audits – you’re not relying on a single income source. This helps smooth the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and keeps your earnings more predictable.
Mix Things Up
Managing multiple clients means there’s never a dull moment. You could start your day tweaking a website for a therapist and end it dreaming up a mood board for a hair stylist’s brand revamp. This shift between projects spices up your routine and sparks your creativity if you hit a block.
Evolve With Projects
Not being tied to tight timelines or back-to-back projects gives you space to let each project grow organically. For example, a client may decide to add extra website pages once they see what you can do. Having the flexibility to adapt to requests lets you expand project plans and nail your clients’ goals.
Challenges to Consider:
Let’s be honest, managing multiple clients comes with a few hurdles. It’s easy to stretch yourself too thin, and before you know it, your stress levels spike, and your work quality slips. Setting up a streamlined system to take care of busy admin work and keep you on track is key to keeping everything under control.
The Case For One Client At A Time
Love giving all your attention to a single VIP client? Here’s why it might be a win”
Dive Deep For Results
There’s something to be said for giving your all to a single client. It allows you to fully immerse yourself in a project, without distractions from other client demands. This type of deep focus can significantly boost the quality of your work and give your clients the results they hoped for.
Give Dedicated Attention
When a client chooses your service, they’re not just investing in the final deliverable – they’re investing in an experience. Working with a single client lets you provide a personal touch at every step, ensuring every interaction feels tailored to them (even if it’s automated).
Simplify Project Management
Juggling multiple clients can be a bit chaotic. Deadlines, check-ins, files…it’s a lot to keep track of even if you have a system like Dubsado working for you. Focusing on one client cuts down on that chaos and makes managing your day-to-day so much easier.
Challenges to Consider:
Going all in with one client has its perks but it’s not without its risks. Mainly, you’re tying your revenue to the fate of one project. If that project hits a snag, gets delayed, or even cancelled altogether, your income feels the crunch. It’s smart to have a backup plan like raising your prices, setting aside a buffer, or creating other streams of income just in case.
Why I Switched To Working With One Client At A Time
Switching to working with one client at a time has been a game-changer for my focus, creativity, and stress levels. Before, I wasted hours shifting between projects and trying to remember what each client needed. But now? Each client gets my undivided attention during their Dubsado VIP Week, which means projects are completed faster and with careful attention.
Plus, when real life kicks in – school closures, sick kids, or vacations – it’s easier to rearrange my schedule to accommodate one client rather than multiple.
Making The Right Choice For Your Service Business
Deciding whether to work with one client at a time or manage multiple clients is about finding the right fit for your personal work style, your clients’ needs, and your business’ sustainability.
Think about what energizes you:
- Do you get in a flow when you focus on one project?
- Do you prefer to break up your day and switch between tasks?
- Do you need time to reflect on projects?
- Do you do best in quick sprints?
Think about your clients:
- Do they have the time to dedicate to a long project?
- Do they need their project done and dusted quickly?
- Will their project evolve or change as you work on it?
Think about your finances:
- Do your prices allow you to have fewer clients each month?
- What will happen if a project is cancelled?
- Do you have other income streams to support you?
Prepping Your Systems For Managing Multiple Clients Or Just One Client At A Time
Whether you’re leaning toward working with multiple clients or just one, setting up the right system will keep your business running efficiently.
You’ll want to streamline your operations and use only the tools that work for you. Dubsado handles everything from scheduling to billing to client communications so you don’t have to switch between different programs.
Next, be realistic about your project timelines. When Ellie Brown was considering moving from long-term design projects to VIP days, we talked about how her processes and deliverables would need to change to fit the new structure.
Finally, don’t let personalization go on the back burner. Even if you’re managing ten clients at once, each one should feel as prioritized as the next. Don’t worry, automation can make personalization a lot less time-consuming than it sounds.
Ready to get your systems tailored to perfection, no matter how many clients are on your plate? Enter the Dubsado VIP Week. It’s just me, you, and your Dubsado getting cozy – no distractions.
