← Social Media Decoded
Social Media Decoded
I Did Everything Right… And Still Lost the Client
00:05:33
In this episode, Michelle Thames shares a real client experience where she delivered, showed up, and still lost the client. She breaks down the deeper reasons behind it and the lessons every entrepreneur needs to understand about alignment, expectations, and business growth.
Loading summary
Transcript2 lines
- [00:00]
A
Hi, this is Alex Canceroitz. I'm the host of Big Technology Podcast, a longtime reporter and an on air contributor to cnbc. And if you're like me, you're trying to figure out how artificial intelligence is changing the business world and our lives. So each week on Big Technology, I bring on key actors from companies building AI tech and outsiders trying to influence it, asking where this is all going. They come from places like Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon and plenty more. So if you want to be smart with your wallet, your career choices, in meetings with your colleagues and at dinner parties, listen to Big Technology Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
- [00:35]
B
Hey, everyone. Welcome back to the podcast. If you're new here, welcome to Social Media Decoded, where we talk about visibility, business and the real behind the scenes of what it takes to build something sustainable. I'm your host, Michelle Thames, and today we're starting a new series. This is going to be a little more real, a little more honest, a little more what people don't always talk about. Because I want to share the lessons from my journey as a business owner. Working with clients, building my brand, and navigating situations that don't always go as planned. And today's episode is something I know so many entrepreneurs have experienced. I did everything right and still lost the client. Get your pens and your notepads ready because you already know gems are about to be dropped. Now, let's talk about the situation. Let me take you into this, because from the outside, everything looked good. I was doing the work, I was showing up, I was executing, I was communicating everything that you would expect from someone who is delivering a service at a high level. But behind the scenes, there were things happening that I could not control. The communication wasn't consistent. There were gaps. There were moments where I didn't have the information I needed. And that matters because when you're doing strategy, marketing, visibility, communication is everything, then there was another layer. And this is something that's not always talked about. Sometimes people are watching you, people are watching your results, watching your momentum. And instead of feeling inspired, they start expecting that what's happening for you should happen for them immediately. And when that doesn't happen, frustration builds, expectations shift. And now you're no longer operating from a place of partnership. You're operating from pressure, the real issue. So what was actually happening? It wasn't that the work wasn't being done. It wasn't that there wasn't effort, honestly, it was misalignment. And specifically this one, unrealistic expectations. Results don't happen overnight. Visibility builds over time, momentum builds with consistency. But when someone expects instant results, nothing that you do will ever feel like enough. Number two, lack of communication. You cannot execute effectively without clarity, without feedback, without alignment. Communication is what keeps everything moving. Three, comparison. This is the one. When someone is comparing their results to yours, instead of focusing on their own growth, it creates tension. Because your journey is not their journey. Your audience is not their audience. Your timing is not their timing. So let's talk about what I've learned. Here's the part that really matters, because losing a client doesn't mean losing a lesson. The experience taught me a few things, and number one is absolutely a lesson. Right? But it really taught me first that alignment matters more than opportunity. You know, just because someone is ready to work with you, that doesn't mean that they are the right fit. Not all money is good money. You need alignment in expectations, communication, and mindset. And if people cannot get down with that, we'll talk about that later. Number two, boundaries are necessary 100%. You cannot carry the emotional weight of someone else's expectations. You can guide, you can support, you can execute, but you cannot control how someone perceives the process at all. Number three, not every loss is a loss. Sometimes losing a client is actually protecting your energy, your time, and your business. Because the right clients, they will trust the process, they will communicate effectively, and they will collaborate 100%. Now, let's talk about the unpopular truth. And here it is. You can do everything right and still not be the right fit for someone. And that doesn't mean that you're not good at what you do. What it means is that alignment wasn't there. And that is absolutely 100% okay. If you're listening to this and you've ever felt like, man, I did everything right and it still didn't work, I want you to know that you're not alone. And it doesn't define your ability. It's just part of the process. And if you're someone who wants to build your visibility, your brand and your business with the right strategy and the right support, I would love to work with you. You can book a strategy call or join my community. Both are linked in the show notes. And if this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And if you're listening on Spotify, answer the question for today. I love to hear your thoughts. Thank you so much for being here and I will talk to you in the next episode. Peace.