When to Turn Down Freelance Work

Early on, every enquiry feels like it might be the last one. So you say yes to work you are not suited for, at prices that do not work, for people you already suspect will be difficult. Then you spend three months proving yourself right.

The four reasons to decline

You cannot do it well. Taking work outside your competence to learn on the client's money is a bad trade. The project suffers, the review reflects it, and the review outlives the fee.

The price does not work. Not the price you would like, the price at which you can deliver properly without resenting it. Below that number, quality falls and so does your goodwill.

You do not have the time. Two projects delivered late is worse for your reputation than one delivered well and one declined politely.

The signals are bad. Covered elsewhere, but trust the pattern. The difficult client is difficult from the first message.

What saying no buys you

Capacity. The reason to decline mediocre work is not principle, it is that a full calendar of mediocre work leaves no room for the good project when it appears.

Every yes is also a no to whatever arrives next week.

How to decline without burning it

Be quick, be plain, do not over-explain. A long apologetic message invites negotiation.

• Thanks for thinking of me, this one is not the right fit
• I am booked until the middle of next month
• My rate for this kind of work is X, which may not suit the budget

Offer a referral if you have one. Clients remember who helped them, and referrals come back.

The one exception

Early on, take the slightly-too-small job with the good client. Not the bad-fit job at a good price. Reputation compounds, and good clients talk to other good clients.