Why Freelancers + Consultants Need to Learn to Say No
As a freelancer or consultant, it can be easy to take any offer that you get. Sometimes, business isn’t doing as well as you would like. Sometimes you feel like you need more experience. However, each freelancer should figure out what boundaries they have when it comes to the projects and clients they accept.
I’ve been freelancing for about two years and during this time I’ve learned a lot about how to communicate my boundaries. Here are a couple of reasons why I’ve refused a project in the past.
Reason 1- Lack of Respect
This is one of the easiest things to spot as a freelancer or consultant. When potential clients don’t respect you, it can be obvious when you begin talking to them. Examples of this would be when they question your experience or skills, when the words they use are harsh and demanding, or if they don’t respect your schedule.
These are characteristics difficult clients often display early on. Pay attention to the words they use and their communication style. It’s natural for people to be curious about your experience, but if they ask too many questions it can be a red flag.
Reason 2- Pay
Money, yes money. I remember when I got my first client, I was so excited! But I wasn’t getting paid a lot. As a beginner, I felt like I had to price my services at a lower rate. While I think beginners will probably have a couple of lower budget projects, it’s essential to not get stuck in that mindset.
Now that I’m two years into my freelance career, I realize I have gained valuable experience and knowledge. This growth should be reflected in my pricing. I’ll admit, my rates still aren’t at the price that I prefer, but I’m working on it.
As I’ve raised my rates, I’ve found that there are people who will happily pay more. These are people who value my skills and realize that my services are going to benefit them. As freelancers, we solve problems and there are people willing to pay for that. When I raise my prices I think about how much time and effort I put into my projects. My creation process, along with my prior knowledge gives me the encouragement I need to ask for more money.
It can be difficult to refuse lower budget work, but often it’s necessary. This gives you the time to accept work that pays you well.
Reason 3-Not in your niche/not something you can learn
I primarily work with a diverse group of e-commerce stores. My services vary from copywriting to content creation. I have a high percentage of happy clients and that’s because I understand what my skills are.
It’s important for freelancers to be honest about their own abilities. I have certain industries that I understand and others that I’m familiar with. However, sometimes people ask me to complete a project for an industry I know absolutely nothing about. Typically, when this happens I say no. At this point, I have a clear understanding of my limitations.
This also keeps my client satisfaction high. When I work with my clients, I know that my services can help their personal brand or their business. A higher client satisfaction rate will help you get regular clients. These happy clients will also tell other people about you.
