That's a Wrap! How You Say Goodbye is as Important as That First Hello

No one really teaches us what to do when a project is finished.

You have successfully completed the work for a client. They are happy. You're proud of what you delivered. Now you are both ready to part ways.

But here's the thing no one really talks about.

After working closely with someone for weeks or months, that ending can feel oddly anticlimactic. Almost like a quiet breakup. One day, you are exchanging emails, ideas, and decisions regularly, then the next day, it is just...done. It reminds me of finishing a really good novel. You close the book, content but a little disoriented. Those characters shaped your daily rhythm for a while, and now you are expected to jump back into life as it was before.

In business, endings tend to go one of two ways. Either a flood of gimmicky, automated emails fills the inbox, prompting a quick and decisive "unsubscribe", or, worse yet, nothing at all. No follow-up. No acknowledgement. No moment that says, this mattered.

In both cases, we miss something important. How You Say Goodbye is as Important as That First Hello

Why the Goodbye Matters as Much as the Hello

People get so excited about onboarding. Contracts signed. Welcome packets sent. Systems spun up. There is energy and momentum at the beginning of client relationships - rightfully so. But the exit strategy? That often gets overlooked.

How you say goodbye matters just as much as how you say hello.

The way you send a client off can determine whether they:

• Refer you to others • Think of you first when a new need arises • Or quietly form a lasting opinion of you --good or bad.

A thoughtful ending signals professionalism, care, and confidence. It says,"We didn't just complete a task, but we also honored a relationship."

Start With Your Own House in Order

Before we even get to the client, let's talk about internal housekeeping, the unglamorous but essential part of business.

Close out the project cleanly.

• Reconcile receipts

• Allocate expenses

• Make clear notes

• Tie up loose ends in your books

TRUST ME - It is infinitely easier to do this as you wrap up a project than to rely on vague notes and good intentions later. Most of the time, this is required anyway to issue a final invoice to the client. Even when it is not, taking a few extra minutes now will save you hours of frustration later. Thinking "I'll remember" is a recipe for overwhelm. What takes five minutes today becomes a full-blown headache at tax time.

Clean endings aren't just kind to your future self, they're efficient.

Now, Back to the Human on the Other Side

Yes, you can add a former client to your newsletter list (with permission), and I highly recommend that you do so. But have you:

• Requested a testimonial?

• Asked for honest feedback?

• Invited a referral (gently, without pressure)?

Some of Missing Piece's biggest growth moments have come directly from client feedback. We have learned where our language was unclear, where our directives were vague, and where our explanations didn't land as we intended. Here's the part that many forget: most people want to help. Asking for their perspective doesn't feel transactional- it makes them feel valued. Seen. Included. In return, you gain valuable insights that no brainstorm or team meeting can ever replicate.

A Good Ending Leaves the Door Open - Without Grasping

Start with a clear close. Let the client know that the project is officially wrapped. This can be conveyed in a short email, text, or call that clearly states, "We've completed everything we set out to do." This provides closure and removes ambiguity. People like knowing when something has been finished well.

Choose one personal touchpoint - not five. This is where many people overthink it. You don't need to send a gift and a card. You don't need a text and three follow-up emails. One thoughtful gesture is enough. It could look like:

• A handwritten card thanking them for the opportunity and the trust they placed in you.

• A brief, genuine text acknowledging what you appreciated about working together.

• A short phone call to say thank you and wish them well moving forward.

The key is sincerity, not scale. If a gift is appropriate, keep it simple and relevant. A small, thoughtful item, something aligned with their business, interests, or the season, can go a long way. This isn't about impressing them or spending money; it is about thoughtfulness. A book, a locally sourced item, or something practical, they'll actually use often, carries far more weight than branded swag.

The Real Goal of a Good Ending

A good ending isn't about securing the next job. It is about being remembered as someone who:

• followed through

• paid attention

• treated people like people

When you end well, you do not need to market yourself as hard. Your work and your integrity do it for you.

Have you ever received a gesture that seemed to stand out against everyone else? For me, I had recently secured an investment account. The company I had this transaction with later sent me a succulent plant with a note that said, "We can't wait to grow with you." It was so thoughtful and has definitely stood out in my mind as a cool, personal touch. If you need help in this realm. If this is something you have not really given much thought to, or if you simply are at a loss, please don't hesitate to give us a call,and let's brainstorm ways that make YOU stand out.

Book a free Discovery Call today