If you are anything like me, you struggle with saying no. Walking away from a freelance project feels counter-intuitive and just wrong. How can you turn away from a new client and some extra cash in your pocket? But when building your business, the projects you say no to can be just as important as the projects you say yes to.
Consider asking yourself the following questions before taking on a new project:
Does the project match your skill set?
This may seem obvious, but do not take on jobs that are outside your area of expertise. If you are strictly a print designer, be up front with your client and don’t promise a complete web design overhaul. Don’t claim to be a “social media strategist” when your only experience to date has been creating your personal Facebook page.
It is far better to form strategic alliances with other freelancers who have complementary skills. Are you a designer who struggles with html? Bring in a coding expert to help on your next job. You can pass along the cost to your client, and in turn, the coding expert just might bring you some design work from his/her clients. Do what you do best; strategically farm out the rest.
Will the finished project be something you are proud to show in your portfolio?
In an ideal world, your dream clients would come running to you with an ample budget and projects galore.
More often than not, the “dream client” doesn’t have the cash. For example, say an up-and-coming jewelry designer needs a brochure designed for her new collection. As soon as you hear of the project, your mind starts reeling with innovative ideas to showcase the jewelry; but the client can’t afford to pay your full hourly rate. Do you take the project? Time allowing, you may consider taking on the project to build your portfolio and attract new clients.
Conversely, if a client comes to you with a project that you would most likely NOT show in your portfolio, don’t turn it down right away. Consider if the compensation would make it worthwhile. Could the profit you earn be used to pay for a continuing education seminar or allow you to attend an upcoming conference?
Do you believe in the product or service you will be promoting?
In your freelance career, you will be approached by a client whose business model makes your insides crawl. Maybe it is a cigarette company and your grandmother just recently passed away from smoking-induced emphysema. Or perhaps a specialty gun store approaches you for help with their marketing, but you are anti-guns. I recommend walking away from these kinds of projects.
As much as you try to separate yourself from the product or service, you will have difficulty giving the client your best work when you oppose their fundamental business principles.
Don’t worry. Another project will come along with a cause you are passionate about.
Have you recently walked away from a freelance opportunity? What factors did you consider before turning it down? Love to hear your feedback!
About the author: Lauren Kaczmarski is a designer & blogger based in Charlotte who loves photography, typography and eating Nutella straight out of the jar.
established 2010
I did walk away from a freelance job opportunity. In January of this year I started working for myself on a part-time basis while keeping my daytime job. I had a few paid freelance copywriting projects going on, but then our best friends offered me to come work for their communication office and be a part-time consultant (only 1 time per week). I accepted, being thankful for the opportunity. I wasn’t 100% sure if I was going to love the job though, so I was very much in doubt. My gut told me to not follow this through, but I followed my head instead. I had to travel for 2 hours with the car while organising day care for the kids. And the strangest thing was that the very first day felt completely wrong. My stomach hurt, I didn’t feel at ease with them and it felt like something was off. The job I had to do the very first day was peanuts and it seemed like they didn’t prepare anything to explain to me and I had to take care of simple stupid tasks. The biggest lesson when turning down this opportunity and losing our best friends (they were offended by me not wanting to go further with this job) was that I learned to listen to my gut. To go with my heart. And that working with best friends isn’t always a good idea… Great post!