How to Say No to Clients and Opportunities

May 19

How, when, and why you should say no to some opportunities

When we think about working with clients and clients working with us, it can be challenging and discouraging when we’re forced to say no to projects and opportunities that come to us.

As I’ve found my footing in the design world, it’s still hard to say no, but it has been a rewarding experience. I recently chatted with Jen on the Better: Brand Designer Podcast, and we have a few thoughts on the idea and concept of saying no. I wanted to share how to do it, when to do it, and why you should feel empowered to do so as a freelancer.

It’s hard to say no!

As we’re looking to grow our businesses, it’s in our nature to say “yes!” to every opportunity. However, not all opportunities are created equally.

When a new opportunity comes along, I encourage you to get in the habit of asking yourself questions like:

Is this an industry I’m excited about working in?
Is this a project in an area I’m excited about?
Is this a person I would enjoy working with?
Is this something that would drain me or fill me?
What kind of vibes am I getting from the interactions I’ve had?
What kind of working relationship are they looking to create?

These are questions to reflect on from the get-go, but how can you find more information about their exact project expectations before you begin your work?

How to vet opportunities

The questions above are helpful for you to reflect on individually. As far as vetting opportunities with a client, here’s what I’ve found to be most helpful in understanding the work they want to accomplish and how you can work with them.

Why are you looking into this project?
Why is this project important to you now?
Why are you looking for an experienced professional?
Why are you interested in working with me?

As you’re asking them these questions, it’s time to be aware of the energy. Is it neutral or similar? Are they showing you they value you and your expertise?

After you connect with them, reflect on if they were someone you worked well with? If not well, is there enough there to create a positive working relationship?

Red Flags in the vetting process

If you are vetting a client/project and are unsure if it’s a good fit, here are some tell-tale red flags to say no to.

Dismissiveness - if they are unwilling to let you lead the conversation or if they are interested in running the design
Rudeness - are they someone who is going to respect your boundaries
Expertise - are they going to let me lead the process? Do they trust me and my expertise?

If you have an inquiry embodying these characteristics, it may be a good one to let go.

Here are a few ways I love to say no

When I decide to say no, it can be hard. Sometimes, I find it easier to dance around the truth a little bit with something like:

I don’t have the bandwidth (use for both emotional or physical bandwidth)
I don’t think my agency is the best fit for your goals (for when your goals aren’t aligned)
I know someone who would be a better fit for you (use when they are a lovely person, but not a good fit for your personality)
Send them an affiliate link (if you have to say no for budget reasons and they will have to

As I think about telling clients no, I’m always thinking about how I can be so so so so so overly nice in the hopes that it will come back to me when the time is right.

In the beginning, it can be hard to say no to everything that doesn’t feel perfect, and when that happens, it’s important to make the situation a learning opportunity.

When you have to say yes

If you find yourself in a situation where you have to say yes for a financial reason or other reason, that is okay! Going into a relationship with the right boundaries and mindset can make a big difference. When I have to say yes, I like to think through these things

How can I make this a learning opportunity?
What does it look like for me to support tough clients?
How can I create a better outcome for me, or them, or both of us?

Is there a process I can update or a lesson I can learn to make this a valuable growth opportunity, even if it’s not a perfect project or client to work with? Keeping an open mind in these situations can help you develop your personality as a professional aside from your design skills.

As businesses grow and change, we will be served with the opportunity to say yes or no more and more frequently! Learning how to say no when the situation calls for it helps to avoid burnout and ensure you still love the work you’re doing.