Egypt Bound! Learning how to decline a client project politely can be tricky, but its an essential skill if you want to remain in good standing within your industry. Editors note: This post was originally published on January 29th 2019 and has been revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness. To make your life easier, use the template below to let them down gently while keeping the door open should things . If youre still learning how to decline a client project, you may struggle to maintain confidence and trust in yourself and your work. (And you improve your relationship with the designers you recommend, even if they dont take the job.). You can start the process with an email, but you should follow-up with a phone call to talk your client through the process and answer any questions they may have. I realized that turning down work, while the money would have been great didnt affirm my overall mission for my business. My services are aimed at smaller businesses so Ive rarely been in the position of having to turn down a big project, it certainly doesnt appeal to me being stuck in one, big, constipated project over a number of weeks or months. No two no's are alike: No, the timing isn't right. No, I need the pricing structured differently. Any project you do choose to take on board should fit your bill in a few crucial ways. At Millo, we strive to publish only the best, most trustworthy and reliable content for freelancers. Theyre equally annoyed when theyve spent time putting together a quote only to never hear back. Eventually, you will probably want to pass some projects down to junior-level freelancers and take more advanced tasks for yourself. Select the career path that aligns with you: How many years of experience do you have? Its important for you to determine the key reasons why you wish to decline a client in the first place. Because without clear communication in place, those kinds of projects will just keep coming, draining your time and energy, wobbling the boundaries around you. Posted November 21, 2016, by Vivien Luu. Genuinely listen to your customer's request First off, hear your customer out. However, you can turn them down in a way that still makes you seem competent and helpful. This situation has come up a number of times for my business over the last several years. If you're the kind of person who is always saying yes, you need to be more vigilant about creating and maintaining boundaries for yourself. 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). (Quick note: If your manager is asking and these are projects she isnt aware of, give her some context. Even if the prospective client is a referral, you're still not under any obligation to take on their work. Justifications and excuses can make it look as though you're not telling the whole truth. 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 for such low rate, I know the quality involved in that. In the meantime, consider recommending another freelancer who can take on the project that you're declining . Besides the fact that he took up WAY too much of my time. In honor of that, I feel you would be in better hands with another freelancer who specializes in projects of your size and budget. If you give someone a wooly brief, you'll probably . Remember that turning down a client is a business decision, so treat it as such. Best of luck with your new website and all of your future endeavors. Sure, there are ways of dealing with that but remember, work is a lot harder to come by when youre just starting out. Make sure you want to decline the offer. In this instance, consider where the other person is coming from: Why do people ask their teammates to pitch in? I was short of projects at the time but still turn them down or offered a higher rate. The ideal way to get through the situation of declining a new client by phone, email, or text is by doing so politely, with kindness, and professionally. Communicating clearly will ensure that these kinds of unwanted projects don't keep appearing in your inbox, draining your energy and weakening your business boundaries. sample Letter Of Regret Declining A Proposal Letter. Include the name of the person rejecting the business proposal; This is standard practice when writing an email to decline a business proposal (or any email for that matter). I regret to inform you: (phrase) This phrase is used to introduce bad news. Have you worked with this client before and was it a positive experience? 2) Say no to clients who are looking over your shoulder Every writer is different, but I believe that honesty is the key to a successful business relationshipespecially when communicating via email. Be upfront about your reasons for declining If you're unable to commit to a job, you should give customers a clear explanation. Explain briefly why you are rejecting it. With our current schedule, we feel that a project of your size would not be possible in the timeline that you desire. How to politely decline a request No matter the source of the request or your reasons for refusing it, consider taking these steps when declining a request: Understand the reason for the request Make sure that you understand, for example, why the meeting must occur on short notice or a customer wants to cancel an order. We do (interiors/new builds/remodels/lofts) that are (design firm aesthetic). I guess we all have to .Trust our gut! You are too busy script. Thank you so much for thinking of me for your project. 1. Do you find this project interesting on a personal level? The projects you choose to take on should align with your values and career goals. If youd like to interview me or request a guest blog post, please submit your request through theContact Page. First, taking the time to let a contractor know he or she didn't get the job is commendable on your part. Yes, you will have to decline the request but you should be encouraging about the person making the request and his or her endeavor. We appreciate you offering us the chance to work with you. By establishing guidelines for yourself and learning how to say No when something doesnt fit within your professional goals, you will avoid a lot of miscommunication, confusion, and heartache for yourself. Hiring is also stressful, takes away from real work, and is a leap of faith with a total stranger. Yes, it was a longer term and interesting project..but.. We feel that we won't be able to complete the project by XX. It was a long distance project. Here are some tips on how to politely turn down proposals. Theres no reason to force something that you cant give it your all. Michelle said you have a real knack for photo editing and could help me make it more visually appealing, everyone will feel good. - It will negatively impact your primary work responsibilities. I believe that your project deserves more attention and time than my schedule will allow me to provide it at the moment. With that said, you have every right to turn down clients who approach you with a budget thats significantly less than what you charge. Editor's note: This is an updated version of an article originally published June 11, 2013, Angies List collects about 65,000 consumer reviews each month covering more than 550 home and health services. I was hesitant to work with him from that description alone, but I placed the call anyway. Be clear about your decision, but do not be bluntly honest about the reason. When firing a client, always: 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. Suggest you stay in touch and that the client reaches out to you if their focus changes. 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. Thanks for the great article Brent! 1. . The client is a nice person actually, but i found from my experience in working with him that hes quite indecisive and like to make a lot of changes at last moments which drags the projects timeline ( and the pay is low although its because of my inexperience ). It also opens the door for emotions, which could easily turn a well-intentioned conversation sour. "My priority is [insert task] until [insert date]. Because we want to honor your budget, we feel that you'd be better off with another firm that excels in projects of your size. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Always start the communication by thanking the other person for giving you an opportunity and taking time out to schedule/conduct the interview. Trust your instincts and recognize that turning down a project thats not a good fit is ultimately best for both you and the client. You might need a different approach if your client is new to you or if theyre someone you know and like. Brent this is great advice. State the possibility of working together in the future. 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 . So they offer me the other designers rate, (equal to half my rate), and two months less time to do the work. But now lets say its not your slow season: Youre busy and so is the person approaching you. Use The Muse to find a job at a company with a culture you love. Uninterested in the Job. Over 10,000 of us are having daily conversations over in our free Facebook group and we'd love to see you there. I had spent 8 hours of my time by now and only received $100. With that said, regardless of whether youre working for a boss or independent clients, you will occasionally come across a project that you simply wont want to take on board. I need to be honest with you, Patty. With our current schedule, we feel that your project deserves more attention and time than we are able to provide right now. Be polite but direct. However, occasionally, a person will take your refusal the wrong way. Before you turn down work definitively, make sure that you're not saying no to a project that could be interesting or engaging. After careful consideration, I feel that your project lies outside the scope of what I am able to offer you right now. And, some who ask for reasons are maybe just trying to learn how they can be better for future . Its only by saying no that you can concentrate on the things that are really important. Steve Jobs. Observe professional tone and structure. Join us! There are going to be times when you need to turn down a client. 1. Most clients will happily respect a clear, polite, and honest answer. Realize that a client might take it personally that you are turning down his project; as such, you want to be as gracious, nice, polite and gentle about it as possible. Do just that! Optional (waitlist):Our schedule for a project of your size is opening in X months. We feel your pain - but someone's gotta do it. Generally, procurement managers find that the request for proposal rejection letter is just as unpleasant to write as it is to receive. Learning how to decline a client project is an essential process for every freelancer, regardless of their industry or areas of expertise. I appreciate that you have considered me for this task. You need to stand firm and believe in your abilities, your product, and your worth. Other than turning down the clients, every one of these examples offer to refer someone else for the project. This is key to maintaining a good impression on this person despite telling them theyre not hiring you. Thanks again for considering us. That is because it contains the finer details of the bid rejection. I have enclosed a few names of other trusted freelancers that may be able to take on this project right now. Be direct and polite and don't allow emotions to influence your decision-making you may regret it later. I just wonder what may result from that bad quality and how much it would cost the clients in the end from that bad quality. But that is a whole different conversation. 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. Its good to consider all aspects of a job or client together when deciding whether to take on a task. When that happens, be clear and be honest; there is no guarantee that the other person on the other end of the computer wont misinterpret what youre saying, but there is really very little you can do about that. Are they asking too many questions, pressuring you for discounts or special rates? Sometimes, the most respectful thing for you, for your company and even for the colleague who is asking you to take on more is to say, "No." Here are some tips for how to decline a request graciously: The design momentum was there. Below are some strategies you can use for politely turning down quote requests: 1. If any of your clients respond aggressively when you exercise your professional boundaries, youll immediately know that you made the right decision. Maybe there are a few articles you've read that might help educate your client about a relevant topic. Thanks for the great article! So once we've passed the hurdle of recognizing that a project is just not possible, how do you say no to these projects? Be clear and firm in your decision. Start with an appreciation of time and work Show your appreciation for their time and their interest in working with you/the firm. If you research and estimate that a roof repair on a county jail should cost under $350,000, and the bids all return at over $500,000 - you should review the details. Draw up a quick game plan. Its important to make sure that the work you take on is aligned with your business goals. If this is the case, you can offer to put your client in touch with junior freelancers you know and trust, who may be grateful for the referral. I wouldsend this out after the winner has been notified and accepted (sometimes they decide not to take the work even when they quoted a price). 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. Thanks for sharing and adding to the post! 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. Does the job fit your skills? He came on site to give me a quote the other day, which is much higher than others'. Im glad you believed in yourself and didnt undersell your services. Thank them for the consideration and let them know the reasons for not being able to work with them. V.G., Oklahoma City, Okla. Dear V.G. Need to hire a contractor for that home improvement project? 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. Glad to hear you have no regrets turning down the work thats the attitude to have when making a difficult decision like that. INCREASE YOUR PRICE In my previous life I worked for a digital agency. Most designers I talk to, who are in the midst of a bad project, had a gut feeling that they ignored. Clearly, youre going to sound like a jerk if someone approaches you with a crummy task and you volunteer your colleague instead. Love this post! I think that networking and connecting with other freelancers is a great solution to saying no to work that you cannot do yourself. Please contact Jane Smith, purchasing officer, at (123) 456-7890 with any questions. Dont be swept away by the magic of a big, well-paying project. 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. Besides, being respectful and amicable will ensure that you maintain an excellent reputation among clients and potential clients alike. Changing jobs is a big life event and the decision isn't always an easy one. 1. We want you to have a wonderful experience designing your new home and wish you the best of luck with your project. If you're just starting out, it's okay that you may not be crystal clear on what projects you want, you're still new and have time to experiment. It almost always pays off whether youre teaming up with someone or just building a relationship. Go with you gut! Typically our firm does projects that are in the $X-$X range and you said that you wanted to stay below $X. Offer compliments about. Ottawa, Ontario. I explained to him politely that I dont do spec work and told him I was probably not a good fit for his needs. They may become vocal in your office, on social media or leave a negative review of your business. You have done an amazing job and have secured a referral which is one of the greatest compliments in business. Then write it off as a good or bad experience. Thank you for your (email/opportunity to meet with you/speaking with me) regarding your (home remodel). Ironically, I thought I was better at web design than logo design! : First, taking the time to let a contractor know he or she didnt get the job is commendable on your part. At the same time, youll attract projects and clients that align with your values and goals. The mix of projects lubricates the creative cogs. Here are some of the most commonplace motivations freelancers cite for turning down a project or task. 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. Unfortunately, we are unable to fulfill your request at this time [provide any relevant information as to why you cannot fulfill this request]. Besides, being respectful and amicable will ensure that you maintain an excellent reputation among clients and potential clients alike. Please help! Examples are 'Dear,' 'Sir,' and 'Mr.'. Best of luck with your website face lift and thanks for sharing your story! [Referral name] at [referring business] is highly experienced with businesses in your industry and may be a better fit. Thank you for your (email/opportunity to meet with you/speaking with me) regarding your (home remodel/new office/living room decoration). Today Id like to give you some sample messaging around this topic and point out why its a good idea to come up with a strategy to turn down work. Are alike: no, the timing isn & # x27 ; read... 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