November 10, 2021 • Sales • Clients ⌇ Connect ↗
Whether you are a freelancer, sales, or any client-facing person, we’ve all been there… The initial round or rounds of talks go really well — but suddenly.
*Crickets*.
No reply. No phone call. Nothing.
And all us service-oriented individuals are left thinking is: “What did I do wrong?” or even worse “My offering is probably just garbage”.
Well, I am here to tell you that’s not true.
I do not know exactly what it was you presented, how you did it, and in what context it all chronologically accrued, but this fact still remains: it is and always will be professional decency for the client to say no to someone’s face in a business setting. Why? Rejection might feel horrible in the short run, but in the long run, you always learn the most.
So not only are these “ghosting” individuals unprofessional, but they are also robbing you of a learning experience you could have grown from.
These “no-answer” people have zero regard for anyone but themselves.
They are feeding off of the inspiration your brilliance is teeming with. Only to turn their back on you without the decency to give a single reason why.
Instead of allowing frustration and anger to overcome us in these dire circumstances, let us plot a different course. A course of proclamations that can prepare our minds for what otherwise turns into a negative spiral:
Regardless of how cheesy these proclamations sound, what remains is only to understand why a client could have ghosted you in the first place.
So without further ado, let’s get into the reasons.
In any of the following circumstances, it is important to remember: none of them are directly your fault, but still require you to take 100% responsibility.
As you could have guessed by now, I have made a couple of very interesting experiences. Mostly in the 3rd reason. For those who know me, you know I am quite an energetic and intense person. I see it as a strength, but it is definitely a reason why some clients simply do not get back to me.
Nevertheless, I have honestly encountered all 5 reasons. And you know what? I don’t think any of them warrant being unprofessional — AKA ghosting.
That said. I believe writing a 200 character message whenever a client does not see the fit, would be a professional courtesy. Here is an example script:
“Hey NAME, Thank you so much for your pitch. We thoroughly enjoyed hearing A, B, C. Sadly, we cannot commit to you at this moment in time because of reason X. We will be in touch if anything changes. Thank you.”
As you can see this message is forthcoming by appreciating the work committed so far, but it is also honest on the state of the project, so you can know what to improve and grow professionally as a result.
And most importantly, this script leaves no one hanging. Every professional relationship should be able to end with 5 minutes spent on that template.
After all… we are all in this game to learn, aren’t we? Even the clients.
Let’s make saying “no” more fruitful together.
Thank you so much for reading this far. I would love to hear your experiences & reasons as to why clients stopped responding to you. Feel free to comment below and/or connect with me over Twitter — I talk a lot about product development, branding, and entrepreneurship.
I’ll see you around.
Let’s meet on whatever platform serves your desired outcome best. My digital identity holds all platform intentions. Prefer email? Try contact@julianpaul.me.
Want to stay up to date? RSS ↗ and/or subscribe for email updates. ↓
Socialise with me: LinkedIn | Instagram | đť•Ź.com | Read.cv