Why I’ve Been Turning Down Work

Short answer: Quality, value, and self-preservation.

Yes, it’s true. I’ve been saying no to some clients lately. And, frankly, it’s the best decision for everyone involved.

I spent years hustling for work — constantly afraid of not having enough work to do to cover the bills. Maybe at first, that was a concern, but as the years rolled on, I picked up more clients and better clients. Some have gone — leaving me short for a while — but they would always be replaced.

Sometimes the new clients paid less. Sometimes they paid better.

That’s not really the point. What I’m saying is that I understand the fear-hustle very intimately, and I’m here to tell you that it’s not a sustainable way to live and work.

I know I’m fortunate to have access to more work than I can handle right now. Of course, that wasn’t always the case. But having too much to do is something every freelancer will experience once they’ve been at it long enough.

The problem with too much.

In short, having too much work means you’re spreading yourself thin. In my case, because I was rushing through a lot of work, I don’t think clients were getting my best work. I just didn’t have the time to give jobs — whether they be design or writing — the attention and care they deserved.

In turn, clients who may have noticed may also decide I’m not worth giving more work to.

That’s not a way to keep a business healthy.

You have to have faith that work will always come after you’ve finished what you’re currently working on. Take your time and schedule sensibly. The better job you do, the more guaranteed you’ll continue to get new work and references.

Don’t make the mistakes I’ve made.

Every now and then, a client will offer me a large sum of money up front for a series of projects.

Sounds good, right? Guaranteed work for cash in advance.

Eh. There are downsides.

For one thing, you end up locking yourself in at a rate that may not be equal to the amount of work you’ve just committed yourself to. You’ve also attached yourself to a client for months, maybe even a year, and not allowing yourself to find better clients and better work.

Finally, these lump-sum offers are usually a way clients angle for a discount. They, reasonably from their perspective, take away the worry of future work and the convenience of a large amount of money up front for a set number of jobs at a discounted rate.

If you’re at that stage of your freelance career where you’re not confident about the future or even feeling a little desperate, you’re going to be very tempted to take the deal.

Don’t.

You deserve better, and your time is worth more — not less.

If your client has a series of jobs, stick with your usual per-job-and-invoiced system at your full rate. Chances are good that you won’t lose the client for turning down their deal so long as you’re polite about it.

No, should you wish to fire a client or work out a way to get an additional, better-paying client, you’ve retained your freedom to schedule work on your terms.

Remember, as a freelancer, you work for yourself first.

My mistake? I fell for this deal not once but twice. I was younger, less experienced, and desperate.

I regretted the decision and felt like I was in an abusive relationship with the client. I felt my work was being devalued and felt that way for a while.

It took the advice from some friends with more experience to explain to me what was happening.

Recently, a different client offered me a similar deal. On the surface, it sounded great. But I then remembered my past experiences and recognized my work has real value.

And I respectfully turned them down.

The client understood. I’m still doing work for them, but at my usual rate, and I have the freedom to pick and choose my assignments and negotiate better rates.

Not worse rates.

Why I’ve been turning down work.

Because I’ve got enough to do. And I have plans for the future and in seeking out new clients at the next level up. I’d like to see myself getting paid more for my work.

Why?

Because I feel I’m worth it.

But if I overload myself, I’ll not have the time to upgrade my freelance business.

Been there. Don’t want to do it again.

Believe in your value.

I understand.

When you’re new to freelancing, there is a lot of uncertainty. There’s even a bit of fear about the future.

You’ll be fine.

So long as you keep at it and seek to improve your skills and the quality of your work, you will have clients. You will continue to have clients.

And, over time, you’ll get better-paying clients and better assignments.

But the key is to believe in the value of your work, charge what you feel you’re worth (if not a bit more) and schedule your jobs, so you preserve a healthy work-life balance and don’t crash and burn like I nearly did a couple of times.

Freelancing is a great career path.

Just remember who the boss is.

You.

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