Every prospective client represents an exciting new opportunity for your business. Unfortunately, not all those prospects turn out to be the right fit — whether it’s a budget issue, a personality conflict or a situation that’s outside your expertise, you often know from your initial consultation if someone’s going to be a problem to work with.

In some cases, your gut will tell you to walk away from this potential client. But what if you’re on the fence and think you might be able to build a good professional relationship? Here’s how eight Forbes Coaches Council members recommend handling your prospect.

1. Treat Your Prospect Call As An Interview 

Often during the prospect to customer process, you might end up with a client who is a “problem.” We can loosely define a problem as someone who pushes the boundaries of the scope of work. Perhaps they have unrealistic expectations of responsiveness, call during off hours or push boundaries. During the sales process, you should be interviewing your prospects. Consider referring them out. – Maresa Friedman, Executive Cat Herder

2. Identify Your Assumptions And Biases, But Go With Your Intuition 

It’s natural to have a gut reaction and make a preliminary assessment based on initial interactions. Before you completely walk away, check your unconscious biases first. Dig deeper. Did the prospect say or do something that triggered a past negative memory? Do you have a context of their background, motivational triggers and values? After research, if you still have doubts, walk away. – Christie Lindor, The MECE Muse

3. Speak Up And Address Your Concerns Right Away 

I like to have that conversation early in the relationship. Once I suspect that a prospect and I may be working in different directions, I’ll stop what we’re doing and address the issue. The longer a problem is allowed to fester, the more time and money is being wasted by both of us. It’s better to nip it in the bud early, even if that means the relationship is terminated. – Jim Judy, TryFranchising.com

4. Identify Their Personality Type 

Typically difficult prospects fall into certain categories: the know-it-all, the busy-bee, the skeptic, the waffler, the whiner, the hardball and many others. Call them out by saying they appear to be a certain personality type and your consulting style doesn’t compliment that personality. Let them know you’re happy to refer them to someone else who they may be better suited to work with them. – Lori Manns, Quality Media Consultant Group

5. Set Clear Expectations 

The best way to handle a prospect whom you suspect will be a problem to work with — other than walking away — is to set clear expectations early. Your deliverables need to be spelled out explicitly as well as what you will not be delivering, including all potential related costs. What are your boundaries? Agree to a set of expectations about communication and how you will handle conflicts. – Eugene Dilan, Psy.D., DILAN Consulting Group