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3 Ways to Deal With Narcissistic Clients

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Being an entrepreneur and running a business can feel like a rollercoaster. Ups and downs, but you learn throughout the entire process if you allow yourself to peek between your fingers as your hands cover your eyes! I found that the most successful business owners are good at dealing with people. They understand how to communicate with their clientele and make sure they’re satisfied with the provided service or product. This can be challenging for most entrepreneurs, considering you’re dealing with individuals’ different personalities and characteristics.

Want to know one of the worst kinds of clients to deal with? A narcissistic client! Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve dealt with a handful of clients who displayed these characteristics.

They were clients who contributed a lot of revenue to my marketing agency, so I didn’t want to cut them loose solely because they were hard to deal with So, how do you deal with this? I’ve compiled a list of x things that I recommend that you do when dealing with narcissistic clients.

1. Set Boundaries

When dealing with clients, most entrepreneurs, especially younger ones, attempt to avoid conflict like the plague. Because of this, they don’t address issues with clients in some cases and simply sweep it under the rug. However, if your client is displaying narcissistic characteristics and it’s ruining your work relationship, it’s best to attack this issue head on. Approach them and set boundaries on your business relationship.

I once dealt with a client who was a textbook narcissist. Whenever we would have meetings, most of the time this client would simply boast about things that weren’t relevant at all to the meeting. He expected me to drop any and everything my team and I were working on, just to cater to his every whim. Whenever situations would arise due to this client not working well with my team, the blame was always on us, never him. It became exhausting and we soon started to dread conversations with him.

We finally got to a point where I had to express to this client that his behavior was unfair and uncomfortable for my team. We established better communication habits and made sure that he understood we had his best interest at heart. Did he completely change for the better? Of course not, most narcissist won’t! But we made progress and were able to tolerate client meetings with him.

It all starts with setting boundaries.

“Ego is born of the need to ‘prove’ oneself instead of making the choice to ‘be’ oneself.” ― Craig D. Lounsbrough

2. Try a Different Approach

If communicating doesn’t work with your client, it’s time to try something new. Sometimes a conversation doesn’t have much effect on a person’s actions as you’d hoped or that it should have. What to do now that setting boundaries didn’t work or change the behavior?

One option for entrepreneurs who have support, is to bring in a friend or business associate who’s able to mesh with your client better and help to move them forward. This protects your tension level while also ensuring your relationship is rock solid with both parties. When your business grows and you bring in help in the form of contractors or managerial employees, it becomes easier to delegate tasks and assign clients to certain associates. You never know, they may be best fit to handle the job, more than you are able to, and for various good reasons.

3. End the Relationship

This should be the last resort when dealing with a narcissistic client. Why? Well, when it comes to business, I purposely place myself in uncomfortable situations. This is a habit I formed when I was first starting out to ensure I never stuck in my comfort zone. The most successful people in business know how to deal with people. Sadly, this even include the dreaded “Clients from Hell”. I would challenge everyone to find a different solution to problem, than avoiding it, which is why I have this option as the last resort.

If you can learn to figure out solutions for the most uncomfortable and bothersome situations in your business, you are training yourself to push past any obstacle in your way. This is how you become a winner in life! But, on the other end, one of the best things about being your own boss is that you can choose who you want to work with!

Overall, your business growth depends on how many people you touch, and when you learn how to help them solve their problems your success will be the ultimate, almost inevitable result.

In business, you never know what to expect. This is also inevitable, especially when dealing with people from different backgrounds. While some clients may be “better” than others, it’s important to know your limits and be aware of the kinds of clients you’re dealing with so that you can decide how best to approach them, or not. This will create prosperous business relationships, the best kind to have, which will pave your roadway to success. 

Brianna Bussell is the CEO of WebInsightCo.com, a marketing and web development company. She started her business in college, and began writing for many reputable entrepreneurs after publishing her own E-book "Creating Value in The Workplace". She also enjoys coaching millennials on how to become successful.

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Success Advice

15 Essential Habits to a Stronger, Healthier, and Happier You

The journey towards transformation is not about perfection but about progress

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building positive habits

What habits can truly transform your life? That’s what you’re here to uncover. In our no-nonsense guide, we’ll introduce you to 15 habits to change your life, each with the power to improve your day-to-day existence.  (more…)

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19 Common Characteristics All Visionary Leaders Have

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visionary leadership qualities

When you look at business leaders like Bill Gates, Sam Walton, Sir Richard Branson, and philosophers like Bertrand Russell, Martin Heidegger, Ludwig Wittgenstein, David Bohm,  C. S. Peirce and inventors like Nikola Tesla, Paolo Soleri, Harvey W. Bailey, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell and Wright brothers and political leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Aung San Suu Kyi, it becomes very clear that they are all connected through one leadership—visionary leadership. (more…)

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Wealth Lessons Everyone Should Hear for Every Stage of Your Life

Do you have the courage to rewrite your story?

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How to Choose the Best Affiliate Programs for Your Blog

If you follow these steps, you can create an affiliate marketing plan that makes money, fits well with your content, and connects with your readers

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how to choose the best affiliate programs for your blog

Picking the right affiliate programs for your blog is really important. It can make a big difference in how much money you can make and how much your readers get out of your blog. With so many choices out there, deciding which ones to go with can be tricky. 

This guide is here to make it easier for you. It will give you clear steps and helpful tips to choose affiliate programs that fit well with what your blog is about, what your readers like, and what you stand for. 

For more articles on this theme, please head over to this blog https://blog.partners1xbet.com/.

Understanding Affiliate Marketing

Before you start picking affiliate programs, it’s important to really understand what affiliate marketing is and how it works. 

Basically, affiliate marketing is when you promote a product or service on your blog, and then you get paid a little bit every time someone buys something or does something because you recommended it. 

It’s great for both the person selling the product and the blogger, because the seller gets more sales with low risk, and the blogger can make money from their blog.

How to Choose the Right Affiliate Programs for Your Blog

1. Assess Your Niche and Audience

The key to doing well in affiliate marketing starts with really knowing what your blog is about and who reads it. Consider the following:

  • Your blog’s content: What topics do you cover? Ensure the products or services you promote are relevant.
  • Your audience’s interests and needs: What solutions are they seeking? Choose affiliate programs that offer products or services that solve their problems or enhance their lives.

2. Research Potential Affiliate Programs

Once you know what your blog is about and what your readers want, start looking for affiliate programs. Choose ones that are well-known for good products, great customer service, and helpful support for affiliates. Resources to find these programs include:

  • Affiliate networks like ShareASale, Commission Junction, and ClickBank.
  • Direct searches for “[Your Niche] affiliate programs” in search engines.
  • Recommendations from other bloggers in your niche.

3. Evaluate the Commission Structure

The commission structure is a critical factor to consider. Look for programs that offer competitive rates that make your efforts worthwhile. Consider:

  • The percentage of commission per sale.
  • Whether the program offers a flat rate per action (e.g., per sign-up).
  • The cookie duration, which affects how long after a click you can earn commissions on sales.

4. Consider the Program’s Reputation and Sureness

Join affiliate programs with a solid reputation for quality and sureness. This not only ensures that you’re promoting good products but also that you’ll be paid on time. You can:

  • Read reviews from other affiliates.
  • Check the program’s history and background.
  • Look for any complaints or issues reported online.

5. Analyze the Support and Resources Offered

A good affiliate program gives you things like ads to use, training on their products, and helpful managers. Having access to these resources can really help you do a better job at promoting their products.

6. Understand the Terms and Conditions

Before signing up, thoroughly review the program’s terms and conditions. Pay close attention to:

  • Payment thresholds and methods.
  • Any restrictions on how you can promote their products.
  • The program’s policy on affiliate marketing on social media platforms.

7. Test the Product or Service

If possible, test the product or service before promoting it. This firsthand experience allows you to offer genuine charge and build trust with your audience.

8. Look for Recurring Commission Opportunities

Some affiliate programs pay you again and again for subscriptions or services that charge fees regularly. These can provide a more stable income compared to one-time sales commissions.

Implementing Your Choice

After choosing the best affiliate programs, the next step is to smoothly include your affiliate marketing in your content plan. This includes:

  • Creating valuable content that naturally incorporates affiliate links.
  • Disclosing your affiliate affairs transparently to maintain trust with your audience.
  • Tracking your results to understand what works best for your audience and adjusting your strategy accordingly.

Picking the best affiliate programs for your blog involves careful planning, research, and making sure they match what your audience likes and needs. 

If you follow these steps, you can create an affiliate marketing plan that makes money, fits well with your content, and connects with your readers. 

The real key to doing well with affiliate marketing isn’t just about the products you talk about, but also how much your audience trusts and values your advice. 

With enough time, patience, and hard work, your blog can grow into a successful space that earns a good amount of affiliate money and helps your readers choose the right products.

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