You never know what kind of work you can get as a freelancer. Since your profile says what you offer, potential clients know how to appeal to you to hire you for their project; however, while it is tempting to keep accepting the work that gets to your desk, sometimes, there are projects or times when you have to admit that it is right to turn them down.

If you are worried about turning down any freelance work, here are 10 valid reasons that you can use when turning down the freelance work you receive.

1. You Are Currently Working On Many Things

As freelancers, we tend to pile our work so we are always occupied and have a steady workflow. It is tempting to take on more than you can handle, but it’s essential to avoid overloading yourself. If you think you have a lot on your plate, don’t be afraid to decline new jobs so you can focus on your existing workload. If the new work needs to be done soon, refer the client to another freelancer.

2. You Don’t Like The Work They Are Asking For

Freelancing work varies from how simple or complex they are, and there are times the content may not be something you like working on. If you believe the work isn’t something you like to do, don’t be afraid to reject it. It is also best to review the jobs you are applying for to see if you genuinely enjoy working on them.

3. You Are Getting Bad Vibes

Sometimes, you get bad vibes over a project or the person offering it to you. When this happens, it may be a warning sign from your intuition to reconsider the job and wait for something else to come along. While discussing this topic with your client can be challenging, it is essential to be familiar with these emotions to create an appropriate response when declining.

4. Clients Are Very Pushy About How They Want Their Project Done

Some clients are straightforward when it comes to how they want their projects done. However, some clients are very demanding when it comes to how their projects should be completed and when they should be submitted. If they are being pushy, it is a sign that they will bully you and critique every little thing you do. You will only become stressed by this, and it will negatively impact your work performance for the rest of your career. Some of these clients may even become pushy when they believe they are entitled to a refund.

5. Clients Fail To Explain How These Projects Can Help Them

As freelancers, we want our clients to benefit from the work we do for them, and we often ask this question to understand how we can improve our services. However, if the client can’t explain that to you when they approach you, chances are they are not going to use them for other things. You may want to avoid this work because you won’t know where your work will be used.

6. The Pay Is Not Good

You should also avoid any freelance work if the pay listed for the task is too low or inadequate for the amount of work listed. The low income may be a sign that the client does not care about your skills. Remember, you deserve to be paid the right amount for the work you have done or asked to do.

7. The Work Doesn’t Interest You

If the work is something you are not particularly interested in, it can be challenging to stay motivated to complete the project. If you enjoy the topic of the project you are working on, you will be able to complete it on time and enjoy the entire process. If the work offered to you is not interesting, it is okay to turn it down. 

8. The Deadlines Are Unrealistic

Understandably, some freelancing jobs will need to be completed in a short period. However, there is a difference between jobs which come with challenging timelines and those with unrealistic timelines. If the work requires a lot of time to complete but you are only given a short time to do it, it is not worth the effort. If you can negotiate the deadline, that is good. But, if not, it is okay to decline the job.

9. It Does Not Match Your Skills

Freelancing projects vary when it comes to the skills that you need to have before you can finish them. With this in mind, you must be honest when asked about the jobs offered to you because you may end up with a job you cannot complete. Focus on the jobs that you can finish and know how to excel in.

10. Your Long-Term Goals Do Not Match These Tasks

It is okay to turn down projects which you believe do not align with your long-term goals. For instance, you can skip ones that are not in the same field as you are or do not help you grow as a freelancer. It is best to focus on work that can help you build your portfolio and increase your future opportunities.

Given the competitiveness of the freelance market, the idea of rejecting any freelance work can be a daunting prospect. However, it should not be something you should avoid doing when there is a valid reason for you to decline the job. Even if these freelance jobs can help you financially, you can make back the loss you may get if you reject them in the future, once you can take on more projects or feel confident with the project and the client. If you need to reject a freelancing job, don’t be afraid and move forward!

To taste success in freelancing like I did, check out what I have to offer in my guide to your freelancing journey!