Writers Worth: The Power of No

Don’t miss the next Writers Worth Twitter Chat! Join Paula Hendrickson and me on October 16th at 11 am ET using the hashtag #WWMchat

Didn’t I promise you some Writers Worth love throughout the year? Here you go.

Saying no. If you do an internet search on how to say no to clients, you’re going to be inundated with results.

Must be a popular issue.

It’s also an issue that’s rendered many a freelancer tongue-tied, particularly when they’re itching to get out of a bad situation (or avoid one) but don’t know a tactful way of putting it.

Today, we’re going to give you some tact. Or at least some guidance to help you craft your own tactful rejection.

But let’s look at what situations put us in a state of agita in the first place:

• It’s outside your skill set or area of concentration
• Not interested
• Too busy already
• Not wanting to work with this client again
• Unhappy with the parameters or pay
• Won’t do the work because you morally object to some aspect of the work or the client’s business

There are plenty more reasons for turning down a client or a project, but you get the idea.

So how do you turn down a client or a project tactfully?

Say no.

Seriously, this is really the easiest way. No apologies, no excuses, just “No thank you.” But we don’t, do we? We worry it like a loose thread — what if I say no and they don’t like me anymore? What if they shout at me? 

The answer to both of those fears is this: if they behave like that, you’re much better off without them.

Most clients don’t behave like that. If you have had your share of cold shoulders or shouters, then you need to examine your approach. If you’re apologizing as you do it, you’re signaling to them that you have something to apologize for. You don’t. You simply cannot or will not take on that project or that client. Period. A professional rejection is all that’s needed.

Ah, but we’re still a bit nervous, aren’t we? Okay, so let’s fashion some acceptable rejections so you feel a bit better about saying no.

Here are some tactful rejections that close the door to discussion while not insulting anyone. Also, make sure they’re as truthful as you can be:

• I’m afraid my calendar is full for the next several months.
• This isn’t within my area of expertise. Let me refer you to a writer friend of mine who may be able to help.
•  This isn’t something I’m able to handle for you at this time. I can refer you to these writers instead.
• Unfortunately, I cannot take this project on.

Why these work over apologies and dreamed-up excuses:

You’re never caught in a looping conversation where the client, seeing a little wiggle room, pushes to see if you can do it at a later time. That’s why the first comment includes “several months” instead of “the next few months.” It discourages pushback.

Should pushback occur anyway, here’s your response:

No, it’s not going to work on my side. Thank you anyway.

That response doesn’t invite any further comment. The “thank you anyway” is the final period.

Will all clients stop there? No, but you simply repeat that line (I had to a number of years ago when the client didn’t understand that I really was not doing his project).

I will say that if it’s an issue of the pay being too low, it’s been my practice to say so. Feedback like that does matter to clients, and I think it helps them understand that good work requires fair pay. But if you’re still a little shaky on saying no in general, you can skip it for now.

Writers, what’s your “No thank you” message?
In what instances do you turn down clients or projects?

Continue the conversation on Twitter! Join Paula and me on October 16th for a fun hour (or less if you just want to pop by) of sharing ideas and insights on this very topic. Don’t forget to use the #WWMchat hashtag so we can see your post.