To make your life easier, use the template below to let them down gently while keeping the door open should things . Knowing why you want to decline will help you plan out a strategic, amicable reply that will make your response clear without offending the requesters. So, what you want to do is remedy that. Need to hire a contractor for that home improvement project? (Optional: My schedule for a project of your scope will be open in _ weeks / months time. Forget secrecy and competition, I believe designers should support and uplift each other. Well said and some great points made! If youre not comfortable getting into the specifics about why the contractor didnt get the job, simply let him or her know that you have decided to go with another company for your project. Theres no reason to force something that you cant give it your all. Its important to make sure that the work you take on is aligned with your business goals. Written words do matter and in my opinion, polite, professionally-written words set you up for success. I have enclosed a few names of other trusted freelancers that may be able to take on this project right now. I was hesitant to work with him from that description alone, but I placed the call anyway. Michelle said you have a real knack for photo editing and could help me make it more visually appealing, everyone will feel good. However, we hope that in future, there is a collaboration once again as you are one of those rare contractors in the region that we trust a lot, something that was built only due to your sincere efforts and devotion to our cause. 2. 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. I don't want to give him any hard feeling, so want to know how you would reply to reject a contractor's bid? 5. The first year, I was grossly underpaid, ( my inexperience , not their fault), and the second year I negotiated a more realistic fee. 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. You might consider suggesting another company or professional who could be a better fit for the project. Lucky you! Thank you for your (email/opportunity to meet with you/speaking with me) regarding your (home remodel). Eventually, you will probably want to pass some projects down to junior-level freelancers and take more advanced tasks for yourself. Thank you once again, and Im wishing you the best of luck! Losing the freedom and flexibility is a huge disadvantage. Thank the person for their time - You may not have asked for the sales email (and may not want it), but someone has taken the time to write it, so thank them for their time. Do just that! In this instance, consider where the other person is coming from: Why do people ask their teammates to pitch in? On top of that, everyone appreciates being noticed for good work. If the idea of ending with an unsoftened rejection makes you unbearably squeamish, you can close with an extra . After much thought and consideration, we feel that your project is outside of the scope of what we can do at this time. (Good idea to also require non-refundable deposit to hold spot.). Your's Sincerely, Mario Capone. Break the news. 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 want to start the email positively by acknowledging how much you value their business and then show them that you understand their certain need or issue. I am hoping the choice will prove to be completely worth it, since it IS hard to say no. I specialize in infographics, but Im not an illustrator. He emailed me a bunch of logos he liked (nothing consistent). Head of Accounting (AMER) at Ignition and Managing Director 10 tips on how to decline business proposals politely. People tend to avoid or delay difficult and awkward conversations, particularly when delivering bad news. I do what I do for the love of it, so on the one hand I need a bit of variety, but on the other hand obviously I have to eat and occasionally I need to upgrade my hardware and software. Ignitions 2022 State of client engagement report has tips for how to navigate these conversations effectively. This article is spot on, and Im in a very similar situation at the moment. "We are used to everything being immediate in the modern world," says Robert. Ive just decided not to apply for something that could be a good opportunity to earn money because I have plans to put into action and feel the need to develop my business, and I cant do that while Im commuting over 2 hours a day! No, I need space to think about it. Great article! Generally, procurement managers find that the request for proposal rejection letter is just as unpleasant to write as it is to receive. By Andre Bradley. Its important to be selective about the projects you take on as a freelancer, recognizing when a project is not a good fit for your skills, values, or interests. Perhaps you've worked with them before and had to chase them for late payments or couldnt bill them for out-of-scope work. Its only by saying no that you can concentrate on the things that are really important. Steve Jobs. Hi! It was a long distance project. Someday that recommendation may be reciprocated. I wish you all the best of luck with your project. I was short of projects at the time but still turn them down or offered a higher rate. Totally love this post. Thank you again for your participation. We have given a few letter samples on the same topic to do this task easier. GEt Started NOW Contact our sales team today at (650) 727-6484 or schedule a call. Yes, you will have to decline the request but you should be encouraging about the person making the request and his or her endeavor. Most business coaches recommend an email template, like the one below, that you can use when you need to say no to a new project. Difficult decision indeed, but I think its the right one for me. Nevertheless, it can still present you with an awkward situation. If youre still learning how to decline a client project, you may struggle to maintain confidence and trust in yourself and your work. . Turning down projects when youre too busy will allow you to give your full attention to those that you have agreed to complete. I am a freelance translator and have met these types of clients/ agency. If you can handle the project at a later date, provide the client with this option. 1. Regardless of your reasoning why you want to turn down work, it's often a good idea to communicate something back for several reasons ranging from professionalism to preventing email miscommunication. However, if you can navigate this situation and let them down gently and politely, it can help safeguard your reputation, and may provide an opportunity to reinvigorate the relationship at some point in the future. Most of your clients are probably fantastic. Whatever the reason, cost, timing or out of your zone of expertise, if you cant do the job, thank the company that is offering you the work and if its appropriate, you may want to recommend another freelancer. When firing a client, always: Thank the prospective client. Its about getting the balance right. Monica Valentinelli is an author, artist, and narrative designer who writes about magic, mystery, and mayhem. Life is busy already, and being a freelancer tends to make it significantly busier! False hope just encourages the other person to waste more of their time, and yours. However, this either isn't the right time or youre at capacity and cant take this client or project on at present. thank you for presenting your design to the board. No matter what they say or how they respond, retain your professional dignity and reiterate your reasons concisely and without resorting to argumentative language. 1. Dont compromise unless you are comfortable doing so! You may suggest, for example, that the time required to achieve the quality they expect would prolong the project beyond the limits of your schedule or that the cost would be prohibitive. Will they ever learn it? The trick is all in how you say it. This situation has come up a number of times for my business over the last several years. Posted 9 years ago. The projects you choose to take on should align with your values and career goals. It's what a team player would say and it's a way to demonstrate that you're ready for new and exciting responsibilities. If this is happening before the project has even begun, chances are, it will continue to happen throughout its duration as well. Decline While Asking to Reschedule. Your best bet is to respond as soon as possible so the requester can move on to new prospects without delay. We want you to have a wonderful experience designing your new home and wish you the best of luck with your project. We parted ways in a civil manner. 2. Below are some strategies you can use for politely turning down quote requests: 1. Sure, if time wasnt a factor for anyone involved you could potentially brush up on that skill and then pitch in. So, now that you have a reason in mind for wanting to decline a project, you need to find a way to do so without upsetting or offending your client. Here are a couple of factors to think about when it comes to choosing projects that are parallel with your values. Glad to hear you have no regrets turning down the work thats the attitude to have when making a difficult decision like that. Ask questions & keep the conversation going in our free Mastermind group. Although, sometimes its just plain hard to recognize when its time to say no and when youre missing out on an opportunity youll look back on and say what if. Youre welcome to leave the door open to respectful clients to approach you in the future about additional work, if you feel positive about working with them. Consider suggesting an alternative. Next thing you know, this well-intentioned answer has totally backfired. Egypt Bound! Nevertheless, it can still present you with an awkward situation. In the meantime, consider recommending another freelancer who can take on the project that you're declining . Think about it: most clients arent very good at hiring freelancers (how many do you know that have bad designer stories to tell?). Its true that a teammates ideal scenario is that you have all the time in the world to help them. I had spent 8 hours of my time by now and only received $100. Most clients will happily respect a clear, polite, and honest answer. It doesnt matter how nice you are, how reasonable a place youre coming from, or even if you apologize: The fact is theyll be no further along then they were when they approached you. They need a job done youre qualified to do it, so things should be simple from here, right? It is no surprise that they dont choose my service. I was offered a project that required me essentially to close my business and become an employ of another firm.. and move country. A home project is very personal and we're appreciative that you considered us for the work. Saying no to a client can be difficult and awkward. But now lets say its not your slow season: Youre busy and so is the person approaching you. 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. It is not unprofessional to turn down work, however, how you give the bad news requires care, integrity, and careful deliberation and should not make you look like an amateur. V.G., Oklahoma City, Okla. Dear V.G. However, occasionally, a person will take your refusal the wrong way. Be clear about why the project is not a good fit for you, and offer suggestions for alternative freelancers or resources that may be a better match. If any of your clients respond aggressively when you exercise your professional boundaries, youll immediately know that you made the right decision. I presented him 8 ideas that I thought reflected his business. Im glad you believed in yourself and didnt undersell your services. 1. This article sums up most of what I was already thinking. With our current schedule, we feel that your project deserves more attention and time than we are able to provide right now. You can also refer them to a different company. Only then will you be able to create an environment that leaves space for further business in the future. When the unwanted project is part of your job, but you . We are grateful that you considered us for your project. 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. I politely declined the project and he asked how much I would do it for. Changing jobs is a big life event and the decision isn't always an easy one. But I always try to hook them up with another freelancer suitable for their needs. When they have me, they have my complete attention. Your time is valuable, and your set rates reflect your level of expertise, skill, and respect for the quality of your work. Template of a Contract Rejection Letter. After much thought and consideration, we feel that your project is outside of the scope of what we can do at this time. Step 1: Weigh Your Options and Be Punctual. 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. Im not sure what the proper etiquette is for saying no halfway through a logo design project but that is what I did. CAPELLA KINCHELOE LLC 2010 - 2023 | TERMS & CONDITIONS | PRIVACY | SITE BY SIMPLE & SOULFUL CREATIVE, Helping interior designers design and build their businesses, pricing interior design, pricing, vendors, getting shopped. Examples are 'Dear,' 'Sir,' and 'Mr.'. [1] 2. Be sure about your decision. Draw up a quick game plan. Since scheduling your freelance life is already a bit of a challenge, you have every right to be selective about the projects and clients you take on board. Sure, there are ways of dealing with that but remember, work is a lot harder to come by when youre just starting out. In the end, they respect me for meaning yes when I say yes and not saying yes when I should say no. If the client presses for more information, try to keep your answer brief. The longer that you're in business the better you'll get at selecting projects that are the right fit. I want to be as transparent as possible but hes pretty important and I really dont want to burn this bridge. I can gladly add you to my waiting list if you would kindly let me know by the end of the week.). Typically, you might have said something like I cant, Im slammed. (Or maybe, Ugh, fine, followed by a week of all-nighters.) The truth is that theyll get results faster by collaborating with your co-worker who knows this like the back of their hand. No, I need the pricing structured differently. Since they came to you, they value your opinion. If anything seems amiss, you now know how to turn down a client politely and find a venture thats better suited to your needs. So they offer me the other designers rate, (equal to half my rate), and two months less time to do the work. Saying yes to the wrong freelancing opportunities can leave you burned out, stressed out, and exhausted. Just by shifting your language, you can make it clear that turning down a project is best for everyone involved. Yes, it was a longer term and interesting project..but.. Turning down a project because you have too much on your plate. I need to be honest with you, Patty. Join us! It was the most empowering thing I had done in my freelance career. The client would still expect first quality thought and execution, and still eat up the schedule deciding by committee, so while this job constituted a huge chunk of change, I turned them down. I was surprised to hear that as he was so pissed off because i do not wanted to work on his $10 project So saying no is not that easy sometimes . Such great timing with this post! The owner or purchaser will also want to have in mind an idea of what the project would cost. Most decline offer emails follow a specific structure and so, you should follow the given steps to construct the perfect email. There will most likely be industries and tasks that you would wish to avoid. Negotiate beforehand just how many hours you are looking to put in for a client and make perfectly clear that overtime costs extra. Here are some few tips . If the potential client emailed through a request or most of your communication has been by email, continue with this method. I worked on a huge fund-raising project for a well known cancer organization for two years in a row. I usually charge rates of [add your hourly / per-project rate here], and you have indicated that you would like to stay under [their stipulated budget]. Mike, I enjoy the outdoors, but Im not a mountain-biker. Whatever the case may be, there will be times when youll need to know how to say nopolitely but firmly. Click to reveal Here are a few scripts that you can use and adapt to turn down a project and say no to clients. Based on my current schedule, I won't be available on [insert date here] at the time you've carved out, but I am free on any of the dates/times below if one of these works on your end. Match your core interests, level of experience, and areas of expertise, Pay you sufficiently according to your specified rates for the task at hand. Before you turn down work definitively, make sure that you're not saying no to a project that could be interesting or engaging. With our current schedule, we feel that a project of your size would not be possible in the timeline that you desire. When he asked me to do some spec work so he could evaluate my design aesthetic, (even though he had seen my portfolio) a red flag went up immediately. Carefully consider your answers to each of these questions when deciding whether you should take on a new project. At Millo, we strive to publish only the best, most trustworthy and reliable content for freelancers. I don't believe anything more than that is required. Of course, there is always the chance that theyll take you at your word and wait until the end of the month (or whenever you said) and ask again. Sincerely, Name of Potential Client. Personally I would send an email or letter to all the people who put in a quote announcing that you selected company a and thanking them for bidding. 7. Most of the time, they will accept your answer and continue to look for a company they can work with. 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. Uninterested in the Company. Sometimes Ive made the right choice and sometimes the wrong one. In addition, it will give you the skills and knowledge you need to decline similar projects quickly in the future. By helping and boosting one another, we can elevate the business of interior design together! 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. They may become vocal in your office, on social media or leave a negative review of your business. sample Letter Of Regret Declining A Proposal Letter. . Great article-Im definitely absorbing this key information! Some freelancers offer seasonal specials on their work to attract more clients and keep their income streams stable during challenging economic times. In business, it can feel counterintuitive to turn down paid work because theres no guarantee more paid opportunities will be there tomorrow. Unless its a really simple request or youve sold yourself on being a perfect fit, claim that the project is out of your area of expertise. Get started risk-free for 14 days! State the possibility of working together in the future. Unfortunately, thats not always possible. Here are some tips on how to politely turn down proposals. Has a client approached you asking you to complete work within completely unrealistic or tight deadlines? You may be picking up on some aspect of it that makes you uneasy, even if your conscious mind is not yet aware of exactly what that aspect is. Thing you know, this well-intentioned answer has totally backfired in how say... No to clients how to politely turn down proposals carefully consider your answers to each of these questions when whether... 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Take more advanced tasks for yourself idea to also require non-refundable deposit to hold.! Approached you asking you to my waiting list if you would wish to.! On to new prospects without delay when you exercise your professional boundaries, youll immediately that. Just by shifting your language, you can make it clear that turning down a project that you #. List if you can use and adapt to turn down paid work because theres no guarantee more paid opportunities be... Is all in how you say it the time, and yours and you! The things that are parallel with your project add you to have a real knack for photo editing could. Politely turning down a project and say no boosting one another, we strive to publish only best... Me make how to turn down a construction project nicely significantly busier you unbearably squeamish, you may struggle to maintain confidence trust! Of projects at the moment interesting project.. but selecting projects that are parallel your... Next thing you know, this either is n't the right one for me happily respect clear... Just how many hours you are looking to put in for a company can. The freedom and flexibility is a big life event and the decision &! Season: youre busy and so, you might have said something like i cant Im. Hold spot. ) some strategies you can concentrate on the same topic to do this task.. Of their time, and being a freelancer tends to make your life easier use... Template below to let them down or offered a higher rate and reliable content for freelancers project. Few letter samples on the project has even begun, chances are, can...