Learning to Say “No”
Author of this post: Melkorka Kjarval | About Blog Authors »
One of the fine lines to walk when you are freelance designer is between doing work that is exciting and that develops your portfolio, and becoming overwrought with too many deadlines and projects that you don’t know how to do.
When you first start to get jobs, you may be so happy to get another project in your portfolio that you agree to do it for ridiculous rates. Or you may promise things that you are not sure that you can actually do. These are not good plans, because if you promise something, and don’t follow through you are sure to lose a client instead of building a successful relationship. And anyone interested in ‘discounted’ fees probably doesn’t want to pay you your market value in the future either. Know yourself and your limits, and promise only what you can deliver.
This doesn’t mean that you should stop stretching your abilities. We only learn by doing what is difficult. But we also have to learn our limits, and that we can’t always learn what we need to under a deadline. When you do say no, you may want to refer the client to a more specialized professional, which will help cement your relationship with the client as a dependable consultant. And if you pick a trustworthy person they most likely will in turn send specialized business your way as well.
