Dillon recommends describing your workload and the "projects on your plate" by saying something like, "I would be unable to do a good a job on your project and my other work would suffer.". Even if they accept theyll likely resent you forever for raising the price. You're probably picking up on something that your conscious mind doesn't realize. There were more unfriendly exchanges and he tried to make me feel unprofessional and unexperienced. Turning down projects when youre too busy will allow you to give your full attention to those that you have agreed to complete. He now offers me another job, but Im not sure if i should say no since my priority is not freelance work. At Millo, we strive to publish only the best, most trustworthy and reliable content for freelancers. Step 2: Decide on the Method of Communication. Her advice has been published across the web (. I can tell you that, based on my experiences in talking with contractors over the past 18 years, they appreciate hearing back from a client if theyve submitted a bid but didnt get the job. Im thinking yeah right Im going to spend hours working for peanuts when I could be working on my own site which sucks and needs updating badly. Youre working longer hours, and because you can only do so much, you end up getting behind. Losing the freedom and flexibility is a huge disadvantage. Freelancers and professionals who are abrupt or rude can quickly gain a negative reputation that will follow them for years. 2. 1. Mike, I enjoy the outdoors, but Im not a mountain-biker. After careful consideration, I feel that your project lies outside the scope of what I am able to offer you right now. How to Turn Down a Job Offer Declining a job offer will look a little different depending on your situation, but some advice holds true across the board: Be certain. If youre worried about offending your clients, you neednt be. Ive decided to turn him down but how would I go about that after so long? Be upfront about your reasons for declining If you're unable to commit to a job, you should give customers a clear explanation. Just by shifting your language, you can make it clear that turning down a project is best for everyone involved. Head of Accounting (AMER) at Ignition and Managing Director Knowing why you want to decline will help you plan out a strategic, amicable reply that will make your response clear without offending the requesters. No, I need it in another format. Plus, it will stop you from regretting it later down the line too. "I'd love to help out with that, but my concentration needs to be on [insert task] right now." 2. Let's walk through some steps to keep top of mind when politely and professionally declining a job offer. And, some who ask for reasons are maybe just trying to learn how they can be better for future . From time to time, you may offer discounts or special rates, particularly to close friends and family members. Be polite but direct. By Andre Bradley. [option 1: insert date and time] Freeing up that time I would have committed also allowed me to be creative and work ON my business, not IN it. For example, Janets great at this type of work, but I know shes incredibly busy right now.. Thank you for your (email/opportunity to meet with you/speaking with me) regarding your (home remodel/new office/living room decoration). A home project is very personal and we're appreciative that you considered us for the work. Michelle said you have a real knack for photo editing and could help me make it more visually appealing, everyone will feel good. These are all potential red flags that the client in question doesnt align with your business or values. My biggest beef was the fact that some clients such as he wanted me be involved too much in the process and not trust me in what I know. Is this client respectful of your time, resources, and professional integrity as a freelancer? If you STILL want to say no, thank this person (if you hung out together) for all the good times you had. Most of the time, they will accept your answer and continue to look for a company they can work with. I got the client through E-Lance and spent over a month building him a pretty substantial site (over 80 pages) for a substantially low amount thinking I just needed to add some work to my portfolio and get my rating up on E-Lance. "My priority is [insert task] until [insert date]. Thank them for the consideration and let them know the reasons for not being able to work with them. Hi [Name], Thanks for sending the meeting invite over. Now, I know that sometimes we dont make money on the FIRST project we do with a client, but I also know that we will rarely be paid more by a client than the lowest rate we charge them. But, as we all know, saying "Um, I don't want to do that" can be tricky. Instead of appearing overwhelmed by your work, this makes it look like you have such a strong command over your schedule that you can predict the exact date itll open up. Year three, they offer me Year One money again, with a shorter schedule, and actually hire another designer first,( because she was cheaper), but within 48 hours, realize they would prefer to work with me. So, what you want to do is remedy that. Typically, you might have said something like I cant, Im slammed. (Or maybe, Ugh, fine, followed by a week of all-nighters.) When they have me, they have my complete attention. Body: The body of the letter is the most important part. (Good idea to also require non-refundable deposit to hold spot.). There are different types of rejection letters with all serving the same function, communicating or notifying a person/business of the prevailing situation, of rejection of an interview, internship or job etc. So, when Michael approaches Janet and says, Id love your feedback on my client presentation if you have time this week. Another factor that determines weather the job is worthwhile is profit and growth question. Even if the prospective client is a referral, youre still not under any obligation to take on their work. That uneasiness is alerting you to the fact that a boundary is being crossed. Do just that! Thank you again for your participation. The first year, I was grossly underpaid, ( my inexperience , not their fault), and the second year I negotiated a more realistic fee. 1. Trust your instincts and recognize that turning down a project thats not a good fit is ultimately best for both you and the client. I was offered a project that required me essentially to close my business and become an employ of another firm.. and move country. Make your brief clear. Thank the prospective client. I can see you're looking for (contemporary/traditional/remodel/loft/etc), which is not our firm's area of expertise. And we also know how bidding in the business world an important component is. So giving them a lead that the designer they wanted to work with recommends is huge. Ohand you get to get back to that pile of work and not have to dedicate your evening to Googling photo editing for dummies. Ill also be talking about some free tools to help you blog and places you can buy used books online for your research. Thank you for your email regarding your proposed project. Letting them know your decision as soon as possible is a courtesy that allows them to free up their calendar for other prospective clients. Lessoned learned though. thank you for your prompt reply to. Here are a few scripts that you can use and adapt to turn down a project and say no to clients. Ask these 10 questions first. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a19eb187ef42c62 Deliver the news of rejection as early on and as quick as possible in the email. Love this post! The benefits of saying yes to a new project are pretty obvious. Written words do matter and in my opinion, polite, professionally-written words set you up for success. Although it can be tempting to ignore or not respond to these . Saying yes to the wrong freelancing opportunities can leave you burned out, stressed out, and exhausted. [If your rejection is simply a capacity issue then in this paragraph you could suggest a month they could return to ask about the project again.]. I required a signed contract and 50% down. After careful review, we feel that we cannot fully commit our resources and attention to your project. Usually, the projects I turn down are the projects relating to animation. I guess we all have to .Trust our gut! Such great timing with this post! 5. While you may not have time to sign onto a project, Ill bet you can scrounge up a few minutes to send on a piece of advice, an idea, a prior project, or some resource that you think is helpful. Having said that, its all well and good to turn down a project when you believe your services are worth more. Be direct and polite and don't allow emotions to influence your decision-making you may regret it later. Thank you for your email regarding your project proposal. CAPELLA KINCHELOE LLC 2010 - 2023 | TERMS & CONDITIONS | PRIVACY | SITE BY SIMPLE & SOULFUL CREATIVE, Helping interior designers design and build their businesses, pricing interior design, pricing, vendors, getting shopped. One of the best ways to approach this is to send an email to the inquiring client without delay. I can tell you that, based on my experiences in talking with contractors over the past 18 years, they appreciate hearing back from a client if they've submitted a bid but didn't get the job. Great article-Im definitely absorbing this key information! This is all too common in just about every industry. Nevertheless, it can still present you with an awkward situation. This will help you better plan your time and apportion your resources. Keep your responses professional. Salary isn't Up to Standard. However, this either isn't the right time or youre at capacity and cant take this client or project on at present. It is no surprise that they dont choose my service. It almost always pays off whether youre teaming up with someone or just building a relationship. You need to stand firm and believe in your abilities, your product, and your worth. The longer that you're in business the better you'll get at selecting projects that are the right fit. For accountants in England and Wales, these resources can help guide you through the referral process. You can learn more by reviewing our editorial policy. Then write it off as a good or bad experience. But, rejection is part of their jobs, so I tried to not feel too bad about it overall. Every professional working in the graphic design, website design, marketing, development, and writing industries needs to know how to turn down a client politely and respectfully when they cant take on a project for any number of reasons. This may seem like a no-brainer, but please: do not make the mistake of begging people for work and then turning someone down because you dont want to work for them. However, if you can navigate this situation and let them down gently and politely, it can help safeguard your reputation, and may provide an opportunity to reinvigorate the relationship at some point in the future. I hook them up with a cheaper designer who provides a lower level of service, if only to show the client that a job done cheaply is NOT a job done well. The first (and probably most important) step: make sure you want to say no. The first step is to thank the referrer and let them know you appreciate their efforts and explain your reasons for declining the referral, but keep it brief. Thank you so much! Clearly, youre going to sound like a jerk if someone approaches you with a crummy task and you volunteer your colleague instead. 3 Better Ways to Turn Down a New Project (That Don't Involve Saying "No") by Sara McCord Updated 6/19/2020 Hoxton/Tom Merton/Getty Images. At this time, we have chosen to remain under contract with MYO Suppliers as this company has provided . You want to start the email positively by acknowledging how much you value their business and then show them that you understand their certain need or issue. Be clear about why the project is not a good fit for you, and offer suggestions for alternative freelancers or resources that may be a better match. In this situation, you could offer to do the project on a longer timeline to make it more manageable for you if you do want to take it on. Youre absolutely right it can be very difficult to turn down work and sometimes is doesnt work out. Here are some few tips on how to politely turn down proposals. Brent this is great advice. Im afraid I dont have the passion to share your product like you need. Be clear, and leave no room for interpretation. For nearly three years, she was an editor at The Muse, and she's regularly contributed career advice to Mashable. Its reaffirming to hear that appropriately saying no isnt so bad after all and can lead to other opportunities. Posted November 21, 2016, by Vivien Luu. I have had to turn down clients many times. I appreciate that you have considered me for this task. Be sure about your decision. Since they came to you, they value your opinion. I usually charge rates of [add your hourly / per-project rate here], and you have indicated that you would like to stay under [their stipulated budget]. In business, using an RFP or proposal rejection letter the best practice. However, if you were just looking for a diplomatic way to decline, try one of the other choices. Especially if the clients that offer them expect more of you than you can realistically deliver. I think that networking and connecting with other freelancers is a great solution to saying no to work that you cannot do yourself. Whatever the reason, cost, timing or out of your zone of expertise, if you cant do the job, thank the company that is offering you the work and if its appropriate, you may want to recommend another freelancer. Can I refer two great digital artists who might be perfect for your request? [1] 2. An email will appear impersonal. Does the job fit your skills? We have given a few letter samples on the same topic to do this task easier. I know this runs counter to my survival as a service business. Turning down a contractor via phone puts you both on the spot. We do (interiors/new builds/remodels/lofts) that are (design firm aesthetic). Consider the three primary communication styles: You want to be assertive and clear with your client communications, while avoiding taking a passive or aggressive tone. Step 4: Share Your Reason (s) Better Job Offer Found. I do what I do for the love of it, so on the one hand I need a bit of variety, but on the other hand obviously I have to eat and occasionally I need to upgrade my hardware and software. If youre not, remember that its a lot harder to manage your reputation when you have no rep to manage. 1. The trick is all in how you say it. Maybe the potential client's budget is non existent or they want to add on a ton of extra deliverables to the project. Template of a Contract Rejection Letter. In addition, it will give you the skills and knowledge you need to decline similar projects quickly in the future. We are grateful that you considered us for your project. With that said, you have every right to turn down clients who approach you with a budget thats significantly less than what you charge. Please note that I am more than willing to [share the project on LinkedIn / put you in touch with another freelancer I know who may be interested], if youd like me to. State the possibility of working together in the future. Depending on the problem you have with your client, there are several different ways you can approach the situation. As a freelancer, there will inevitably come a time when youll have to decline a project. Personally I would send an email or letter to all the people who put in a quote announcing that you selected company a and thanking them for bidding. Unless its a really simple request or youve sold yourself on being a perfect fit, claim that the project is out of your area of expertise. Reassess how you obtain new leads. I did not refer another designer to them in this case because it would be unfair for me to recommend a client who had been a no-show to three meetings. thank you for the well-thought-out proposal on. Lucky you! By writing your thoughts in an email, you can perfect the message and avoid any potential awkwardness. If they are new, do you have any reservations about working with them? No, I need the pricing structured differently. I was recommended by a colleague to work with a gentleman who was in on the ground floor of a new technical school as their director of marketing, even though the colleague knew that the director was slightly insane! This will minimize any potential damage to the clients timeline or budget. I knew that if I took this job at the lower rate, I would never, ( read : ever) get back to a realistic rate. Sometimes Ive made the right choice and sometimes the wrong one. Comments are closed. Format the letter with a professional tone and structure. Optional (give referrals):I am enclosing a few names of other designers that may be able to take on a project with your scope right now. Be clear and firm in your decision. Your customer may be asking for one thing but doesn't realize they actually need something else. The mix of projects lubricates the creative cogs. I guess this happen with all kind of freelancing. He insisted on a flat fee and 5 ideas instead of my usual 3. This will ensure that your work remains at a consistently high quality for all of your valued clients. Thanks for the great article! Because we want you to have the home that you desire, we feel that you'd be better off with another firm that excels in the style you're looking for. And the way to do that is by having a bigger yes burning inside. Stephen Covey. Its good to consider all aspects of a job or client together when deciding whether to take on a task. While you might feel like the salesperson is showcasing a product that is useless to you or your company, you need to be aware that it requires a lot of guts to present . It also opens the door for emotions, which could easily turn a well-intentioned conversation sour. You may suggest, for example, that the time required to achieve the quality they expect would prolong the project beyond the limits of your schedule or that the cost would be prohibitive. Thank you once again, and Im wishing you the best of luck! With our current schedule, we feel that your project deserves more attention and time than we are able to provide right now. Sometimes Im asked to create opening titles and other in-show graphics for TV, usually a whole package of graphics need to be completed within a week. Be clear about your decision, but do not be bluntly honest about the reason. Dont be afraid to reach out! Hi! But, now imagine if someone came to you with a cool projectthat just doesnt happen to be your strong suit. Ottawa, Ontario. You'll still be able to engage clients seamlessly with online proposals and automated engagement letters, and run your business on autopilot by connecting apps to Ignition. Firstly, do not rush to reject the contract. Here are five tips to help you politely handle and decline a collaboration that you are not interested in without burning bridges in the industry. Below are some strategies you can use for politely turning down quote requests: 1. I did not feel anything so much as relief and respect for myself. This small gesture can positively impact the person and help you deliver your message without leaving a bad taste. Keep it simple. Note: Outside your area of expertise can refer to your technical capabilities as well as your specialty or niche. Im currently having my first freelance job as a side work while im looking for full time job. Ultimately my logo ends up looking hideous on that website. Both projects were creatively challenging and successful. Why is this the case? We feel that we won't be able to complete the project by XX. Uninterested in the Job. That is because it contains the finer details of the bid rejection. This is polite and ends the conversation on a good note. It also prevents me from doing side business, which adds additional income. Start with an appreciation of time and work Show your appreciation for their time and their interest in working with you/the firm. sample Letter Of Regret Declining A Proposal Letter. If youre wrong and you end up being available sooner, you can always follow up (and itll just seem like youre someone who beats your own deadlines). And when it is time to walk away after youve tired everything you can. Here are five templates you can use to say no to a project or offer politely and firmly. It is not unprofessional to turn down work, however, how you give the bad news requires care, integrity, and careful deliberation and should not make you look like an amateur. "Our expectation is that we get a response to our quote or our question, really quickly. It makes me happy to hear that you believed in your services enough to turn down a project that required spec work. . These may expose you to potential liability for negligence. Thanks for including details about [project name]. However, if you've spent time with the client in person or on the phone, then consider having an in-person or phone conversation with them. If youd like to interview me or request a guest blog post, please submit your request through theContact Page. Do i profit or am I inconvenienced for my efforts and do I grow as a freelance business and as a Designer if not then i cannot take it on. Try Smith.ai now Accelerate growth with live receptionists and AI. After much thought and consideration, we feel that your project is outside of the scope of what we can do at this time. Instead, try recommending resources or do-it-yourself solutions. Life is busy already, and being a freelancer tends to make it significantly busier! Sample Phrases to Politely Turn Down New Projects, 5 Signs That This Isnt The Gig for You : Brazen Careerist - A Career Center for Generation Y, brazencareerist.com/2008/08/15/5-signs-that-this-isnt-the-gig-for-you. Posted 9 years ago. Fit your schedule while giving you enough time to complete the project in a way that aligns with your personal quality standards as a professional. I wish you the best of luck with your project! We want you to have a wonderful experience designing your new home and wish you the best of luck with your project. Bill Gates once said, Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning. Its important to make sure that the work you take on is aligned with your business goals. Start with an appreciation of time and work. Not always or right away, but it dawns on them slowly that there is enough work to go around and it doesnt hurt them to share when they can. Youre welcome and thank you for reading! Do you believe that your work on the task will help people, communities, or the environment in a positive way? When the unwanted project is part of your job, but you . Our management team was impressed with the quality of your application and documentation. I don't believe anything more than that is required. Dear Angie: How do I turn down a contractor without being negative? Of course, be open to lowering your standard rates if the project might pay off in. Difficult decision indeed, but I think its the right one for me. Turning down a client can seem like a difficult task, but it doesnt have to be. Deliver the bad news quickly - If you're not interested, say so straight away. - You'd like to set better boundaries at work. Perhaps she didnt realize how much is on your plate and can actually take some off.). Sure, there are ways of dealing with that but remember, work is a lot harder to come by when youre just starting out. You are too busy script. Lower-paying jobs could still be a great fit for you if they support worthy causes, provide you with important experience, or advance you towards larger long-term goals. Im Capella and Im an interior designer who helps fellow designers build their businesses. I am a freelance translator and have met these types of clients/ agency. However, occasionally, a person will take your refusal the wrong way. Sometimes, whether a project fits your schedule will depend on your ability to work out a reasonable timeline with your client. Negotiate beforehand just how many hours you are looking to put in for a client and make perfectly clear that overtime costs extra. Break the news. 7. This response 1. doesn't leave the PR contact hanging 2. let's them know they've hit the influencer jackpot since you love their company, too and 3. they can eliminate you from their list of influencers they need to meet their quota for the project at hand. And over the years, I have found that the artists I give referrals to, return the favor. This is exactly the article I needed to read! Thanks for sticking with my blog, cheers to your success! When writing an email declining a proposal, it should be written politely. There are many reasons why you might decide to turn down a potential client. Assess your lead generation tactics and content, as well as the way initial communications are conducted, to see if you can better qualify potential clients. My hardware lets me down here, so sometimes I have to decline the project. Reviewed & edited by Adam Wright, Editor at Millo. INCREASE YOUR PRICE In my previous life I worked for a digital agency. Saying no to a client you already know can potentially be a much harder situation to deal with, especially if youre afraid of disappointing or offending them. They bring you interesting projects, they learn and adapt based on your recommendations, How to deal with difficult clients (and avoid them!). Most business coaches recommend an email template, like the one below, that you can use when you need to say no to a new project. Every writer is different, but I believe that honesty is the key to a successful business relationshipespecially when communicating via email. Well said and some great points made! When firing a client, always: Afterward, I'm happy to discuss taking this. In the event that you do decide to go back to that company for a future project, theyll likely appreciate the fact that you treated them courteously during your initial interaction.