The 3-Question Filter That Saved Me From Bad Clients
I used to think any client was a good client. Took on projects that dragged for months. Built complex workflows for people who ghosted after delivery. Spent hours explaining automation basics to folks who "just wanted to see what's possible." Then I noticed something The clients who paid the most asked the clearest questions. Not "can you build me an AI thing?" More like "I'm losing 15 leads per week because my sales team can't follow up in under 2 hours. Can you fix that?" So I started pre-qualifying everyone before even hopping on a call. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟑 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐈 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐀𝐬𝐤 (𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐃𝐌 𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥) 1. "What specific task are you doing manually right now that you wish would just... happen?" This reveals if they understand their own problem. If they can't name ONE specific task, they're not ready. They want magic, not automation. 2. "How much time per week does this take you or your team?" Numbers = real pain. If they say "not sure" or "whenever we remember," there's no urgency. No urgency = no budget = painful project. 3. "What happens if this doesn't get solved in the next 30 days?" This is the killer question. If they say "nothing really" or hesitate, they're not a buyer. They're a researcher. And researchers don't pay they collect quotes. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 - My close rate increased 2x - Average project value nearly doubled - Zero scope creep drama (clear problem = clear solution) - Clients actually implement what I build The weird part? I started having fewer calls & discovery meetings but more signed contracts. Because the people who make it through these 3 questions are already halfway sold. They know their pain. They know the cost. They just need someone to build the solution. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 You're not trying to convince everyone you're great. You're trying to find the people who already know they need what you do. Pre-qualifying isn't gatekeeping. It's respecting your time AND theirs. 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 What's the #1 red flag you've learned to spot in potential clients?