Freelancing 101: How to respond to someone you don’t want to work with

Ever had that 😬 moment when a prospect reaches out and you just know it’s not going to work out?

I hear you. It can be awkward for sure. And if you’re like me, it’s hard to say no. BUT the uncomfortable moment of refusing a service can save you the pain of working with a bad fit in the long run. So how do you say ‘thanks, but no thanks’ to a potential client?

1. Do not make an excuse: It can be tempting to say, “UGH if I JUST had the time, I’d love to work with you” or “I’m too busy right now.” Doing this could result in the client coming back in the future and putting you in a tough spot again.
2. Do not apologize. You don’t owe them anything. “Sorry, but I can’t take this project” is unnecessary. If you struggle with over-apologizing, try Just Not Sorry, a Chrome extension that highlights words that are undermining your message — lifesaver.
3. Do specify that you’re not available and why. You don’t have to say that they’re a PITA, but something like, “Your needs don’t really align with the services I provide” or “You may be better off working with someone who BLANK” is clear and polite.

If you’re ready to up your client comms game, hit the Subscribe button and stay tuned for my messaging prompts dropping in September! And head over to https://messagingbundle.carrd.co/ to get the newest templates and resources as they become available.