As a freelancer, how do you handle rejection from clients (like inexplicably not returning emails)?
Replies19
- Hey Alice, as an optimist I always thought this specific issue was just a negative feedback given by a negative person... but as I went after my dream and passion as a Sound Designer and Post Production Audio Engineer I realized it was a major part of the journey. I don't have the answers other than to assure you that every step of the way has purpose. Every connection or rejection is only guiding you somewhere. Sometimes or most times it doesn't look like you expect it to. It doesn't mean you're not on the right track... I’ve come to notice that in artistic industries we face non-linear careers, which means that you don’t go up the ladder in a straight line. In fact as a freelancer you grow through those uncomfortable projects that might not be your ideal gig, however you got to connect with the right person / team that believe in you and are willing to invest in you or help spread the word on your skills. Perseverance is key. After time you’ll look back and realize that every connection made or every door knocked was helping you create this massive network within your industry that is now yours to build upon or share with other creatives that are struggling to meet the right person for their project. It all works out. Keep your head up! Keep walking and enjoy the journey… or not. It’s your call :)Also don't be shy in reaching out more than once. People are busy. It's not personal.
- Hey Alice, I think that this is one of the most common issues faced by freelancers and unfortunately there is no easy solution (that I have found) other than to not let it get you down and stay positive!The majority of the people or brands/agencies you are contacting probably get lots of similar emails and it can be hard to reply to them all, especially if they are busy with their own work.Sometimes it's all about timing. You email someone one day and they don't respond, you try again six months later and it just so happens that they are looking for your kind of work for a new project and BOOM suddenly you're in the door.I also think it's worth chasing up clients for feedback to see if there was a reason they didn't choose you but of course you need to be tactful about it and have patience - something that is hard these days when we're spending so much time at home!
- Hey Alice, never nice being stood up for a project/ professional date! it can be really disheartening and can sometimes affect your confidence, but in my experience it's usually not a personal reason or even any reason at all other than just being too busy to get back to you. I usually try once a week for about 3 weeks with the final email changing in tone being having a bit more demand lines of "I understand if you're not interested but it would be very helpful if you could just let me know your thoughts before I book myself into another project", adding a slight sense of urgency for them to respond. Main thing is do not give anybody the power to decide how you feel about your own ability and affect your confidence!
- Remember that there are probably 20 reasons for a client to go quiet and only 2 or 3 would be to do with you or the work you are capable of creating. The others would all be upstream in their decision making.
- For some reason I couldn't put text in the 'more details' section of the question, but here's the additional context...I'd had a good phone call with a potential client. They liked my work and process, I was passionate about their purpose (children's literacy). It went well and the next step was for me to send an estimate and briefing template, which I did a couple of hours later. Then nothing...I followed up a few days and then a week later but got no response. I'm used to not getting every project I go for, but for some reason this one felt like being stood up for a date!! I think it would have helped to at least get a response (I think they probably went with their in-house designer).Anyway, all your replies have definately helped me get over it and there's some good advice for the next time.
- Thanks everyone!
- I have learnt to not take it personally. People have so much going on and are not always able to reply.As my career has progressed and I have also been on the other side of not always replying because it slipped my mind or I was too busy, I have understood it a bit more.Do send a nudge follow up email though, as you will probably get a response from that. It generally works for me.If all else fails, remember the phrase - what is for me, will never pass me by.Good luck! x
- @Javier Navarro great advice Javier, second all you said :)
- Alice, rejection is part of the creative process, remember Van Gogh only sold one painting in his lifetime and that was to his brother. If you’re not getting a response I’d send a funny personal picture/message saying thank you maybe I can help next time. View rejection as an opportunity to do something memorable. And then go and have a look at a Van Gogh. Works wonders every time.
- I put myself in the other person’s position and believe that, for whatever reason, my value wasn’t articulated clearly enough.I send them something I think will add/create value for them. Something unique.Quite often they respond and you realise they had so much to do that they couldn’t respond in time but have great feedback for you (as in something to share that will improve your performance).It’s easy to feel annoyed, rejected or plain pissed off. Quite often, the other person doesn’t intend to come across as ignoring you. Rather, other things quickly overtake their agenda.Stay Boom!
- Arna asks the right questions. I'd add a touch more detail to what the issue is so we can respond more appropriately.If its for a general job enquiry, I wouldn't take it personally. WFH and during covid means that most ppl are suffering from an overload of emails. So responding to everyone at times can get lost or overlooked.I'd still check in from time to time, if they didn't respond once, that doesn't mean they won't again. Sometimes its just about landing in the inbox at the right time that they need someone for their project.Also make your subject lines interesting, so they grab their attention.
- Hi Alice,There is great advice here already. It pretty much depends on the context and process but in general I suggest not taking it too personal as there are many variables you do not know and have little or no control about: budget, timing, other applications, etc. I suggest focusing in having good communication (as in light and collaborative, not the stalking kind) and leave the conversation open for future collaborations.Touching base every now and then showing your last projects or newly acquired skills is also a healthy way of keeping in the loop.And bear in mind that there could be a positive outcome on a project not happening: the process might have been dreadful, the deadlines impossible, the unpayed fees, etc.Hope this helps!
- Hi Alice :)I don't know if you know Micheal Jenda, he has wonderful advice on his Instagram, check this post out https://www.instagram.com/p/CCWFHuWHLnk/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheetHe talks about following up with clients.
- As everyone said, no need to fret over it unless money was in the equation.I normally follow up after a certain time and depending on how fast or lengthy their reply (or if they didn't at all) already tells you if the project kicks off or not.Most of the time, it's just a matter of incompatibility... the budget is too low, schedule conflict, they found someone else, etc. It's pretty normal and there's nothing you did wrong. Think of it as someone you met at the wrong place and at the wrong time. Life goes on, and so does your potential clients.Best wishes!
- Keep chasing without pestering them. They might be ill or on holiday. If they are a potential client that don't answer you after a quote, at the beginning I ignored them, lately I'm asking for a feedback (it was a price problem? A skillset one?). It helps me in my future quotations and usually if you are casual about it they answer back :)
- I don't take it personally (though this hasn't always been easy and I guess it will always be a work-in-progess in some ways).If it's a current project, I make it clear in the contract that if they purposefully delay by not responding/giving feedback on time/ playing the silent game - I will either have to charge them a late fee when they want to get their project back on track or put their project on the side and work on others in the pipeline. It's a commitment on both sides. I show up to mine and I expect clients to show up too (vice versa, I'm sure).If it's potential clients - I tend to send them a follow-up a couple of days later. If they don't respond, I guess they aren't interested to work together. I move on, no point wasting energy and time wondering why it didn't work out etc.
- Agree with @arna - a good summary!It can be frustrating - but not getting replies are part and parcel of freelancing. Another example is sometimes lengthy conversations about projects that ultimately turn to nothing.In the context of “new business” I treat everyone politely and engage with these conversations as if I’m ready to work on them - leaving the onus on the client to let me know what they’d like to do.Until money is involved I do not get too emotionally attached, as 1000 factors could be involved until the client is able to hire a freelancer to start the project.Hope that perspective helps!
- I am with @Arna Maria Kristjansdottir , if there isn't money involved, then ignore and move on. Don't waste one second on not answered emails, because there are tons of them :)
- In what way? Have you made something for them and they aren’t answering your emails? Or have you quoted for something and they didn’t pick you or are you in the middle of creating something and their communication is lacking?Is it a client you’ve worked with lots and now you think they’ve found someone else to work with?Without knowing any of the context I’d say try not to take it personally unless they owe you money.
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