End a difficult client relationship professionally
A plan and message to part ways with a client cleanly, covering timing, contract terms, handover, and final payment.
The prompt
Help me end my working relationship with a client.
Why I want to end it: [e.g. late payment, scope creep, disrespect, poor fit, low rates]
Work in progress: [WHAT'S UNFINISHED]
Contract terms on termination: [notice period, kill fee, what's owed, IP transfer]
Money outstanding: [AMOUNTS and dates]
What they'll need to continue without me: [files, access, documentation]
Do I want a referral or reference from them later? [yes / no / doesn't matter]
Give me:
1. A check on timing: should I finish a milestone first, collect payment first, or end now? Weigh the risks.
2. A step-by-step exit plan: notice, final invoice, handover of files and access, removing my own access, and return of any client property.
3. A termination message that is short, professional, and final. Give a brief, neutral reason without listing grievances, and state the end date, handover plan, and final payment due.
4. A version I can say on a call if I prefer to tell them in person first.
5. Responses if they push back, ask me to stay, or dispute what's owed.
6. A referral suggestion I could offer, if appropriate.
Follow my contract terms as I've described them. If termination rights or payment are disputed, recommend I get legal advice before acting.
Highlighted [brackets] are blanks to replace with your own details.
Fill in the blanks and use this promptMore Email & Workplace Communication prompts
What to fill in
- WHAT'S UNFINISHED
- notice period, kill fee, what's owed, IP transfer
- AMOUNTS and dates
- files, access, documentation
- yes / no / doesn't matter
How this prompt is built
This prompt follows the Chain-of-Thought structure (Chain-of-thought prompting). A chain-of-thought prompt asks the model to work through a problem step by step before giving its answer, which tends to help on reasoning, planning and multi-part questions.
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