Saying "no" the right way as a freelancer

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FREELANCER TIPS
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• Saying no the right way
• as a freelancer

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Saying no the right way as a freelancer

• Few people realize just how important refusal is
  for freelancers. But you absolutely have to know
  when to turn things that just dont fit your
  current situation. Last week we covered the most
  common situation where you should firmly say
  no, whether it is to clients, projects or to
  yourself. But the way you decline something is
  just as important as knowing when to do it.
  Saying no right can be the difference between
  keeping the door open for future opportunities
  and slamming it straight shut. Here are our five
  ways to refuse work properly as a freelancer

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Saying no the right way as a freelancer
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1) Give an honest explanation

• Be straightforward with your clients. Do you have
  other projects lined up and the deadlines are
  coming? Im committed to other projects right
  now is a sentence that any client should be able
  to understand. Even if the reason is low pay,
  dont be afraid to communicate that. Maybe the
  client didnt do his or her research and is more
  than happy to pay your usual fee as long as you
  propose it. Although it sounds a bit cliché,
  honesty truly is the best policy when saying no
  as it often helps you work out a mutually
  beneficial solution.

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2) Offer alternative services

• Freelancers often get angry, insecure or straight
  up dont answer to clients who request services
  outside of their usual field of work or scope.
  That can be a big mistake. Think about it this
  client found you, decided they want to contact
  exactly you, but misunderstood what exactly your
  field of work is. A lot of the work has already
  been done and there is no reason to throw that
  out of the window. So explain to them in detail
  how exactly you can be of service now or in the
  future.

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3) Communicate your schedule

• On the topic of timetables, you often get
  requests during the feast period where you have
  a lot of work and just cant handle any more. And
  you should definitely be responsible enough to
  only take as much work as you can actually finish
  on time, but that doesnt mean additional
  requests should be ignored. When looking for a
  freelancer, a good amount of clients actually
  have a generous period of time frame for the
  project. Always tell them when exactly you will
  be free. Its as simple as saying Im working
  on X and Y right now and dont have a lot of free
  time on my hands, but would love to work with you
  from the 31.03.

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4) Refer a colleague

• If the project is urgent, out of your scope or
  youre not able to work on it for some other
  reason, setting up your client with another
  freelancer is a great way to establish trust. It
  shows you care about the project, have a good
  network and are a cooperative person. The other
  freelancer will definitely remember that one time
  you helped them out and are very likely to give
  back. Its a win-win-win situation, really.

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5) Remain polite and professional

• Last but not least, never forget to turn down
  offers politely. Think about the difference of a
  client never answering when you apply for a
  project and someone explaining why you werent
  the one that got picked. The difference can be
  huge when deciding whether or not to work with
  them in the future. Clients feel the same way.
  Even if you dislike the project or you cant take
  it, mind your manners. Potentially losing future
  opportunities because you were too lazy to type
  out complete and polite sentences is not worth
  it.

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