A few years ago, I had a nightmare client—a law firm owner who wanted his website revamped but couldn’t (or wouldn’t) provide the information I needed. When I asked detailed questions, he gave one-word answers and expected me to magically transform them into pages of compelling copy. After a couple of drafts, he emailed, “You’re not getting it. It’s easier for me to redo it myself. I’d like my deposit back.”
Ouch.
I broke my “no refunds” policy because the hassle wasn’t worth it. At first, I felt like the worst writer in the world. Then I reviewed our emails and realised: the problem wasn’t me—it was that we weren’t a good fit.
He didn’t want to answer questions, and I’m not a mind reader. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, freelancing relationships just don’t work.
Freelancing rejection: why it happens and how to handle it
Rejection can feel deeply personal in freelancing:
- A client turns down your pitch.
- A connection request goes unanswered.
- A dream project goes to another freelancer.
- A client rewrites your work or ends the project abruptly.
It’s easy to spiral into self-doubt, but rejection rarely reflects your worth or skills. There are countless reasons things don’t work out, and most have nothing to do with you:
- The client had a lower budget or an internal hire in mind.
- Your post didn’t reach the right audience thanks to an algorithm.
- The client loves editing (even if their edits make it worse).
- You and the client weren’t the right fit.
Protect your confidence in freelancing
To avoid taking freelancing rejection personally:
- Focus on your process. You can control how you approach work, not how others respond.
- Remember, it’s not about you. Clients have their own priorities and challenges that influence decisions. Not working out with the client says nothing about you as a person.
- Reflect but don’t dwell. Learn what you can from experiences and move on.
- Find your fit. Not every client will be a match, and that’s okay—your ideal clients are out there.
Freelancing comes with ups and downs, but a rejection doesn’t define your abilities. Keep going, keep learning, and don’t let one bad experience derail your confidence.
Remember, almost nothing is universally liked. Even the most popular brands and products don’t fit everyone. And it’s not your job to work well with absolutely everyone, nor should you take it personally when things don’t work out.
My former client wanted me to create reams of content from nothing. That’s not my skill set. It may be the skill set of a psychic writer, but that’s a discussion for another time. It’s not my skill set and it’s not I want to spend my time–guessing what words will work and hoping I hit on the right combination. It doesn’t make me a bad writer, it makes me one who isn’t a mind reader.
Want to land more clients?
If you’re ready to attract the clients who are the perfect fit for your freelancing business, download my guide, “Words that Attract Clients.” It’s packed with tips to help you showcase your value and stand out in a crowded market.
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