Your Client Or Freelancer Is Ghoasting You?

It happened to me a few times so far and I get it as a normal part of the process. Especially in the freelancing world where sometimes budget and turnaround time are prioritised over planning, research and quality. And there is nothing wrong with that. This same style helps me also to stay grounded and focused on the current task or project because I never know if there will be a phase two or another collaboration with the same business owner. But when they reach out again, it sure does feel very nice.

So what is actually considered ghosting?

Ghosting is a term used to describe the act of suddenly ending all communication and contact with someone without any explanation or warning. It’s commonly associated with romantic relationships, but can also occur in friendships or professional settings.

The term “ghosting” refers to the idea that the person who has been “ghosted” is left feeling as if they are being haunted by the sudden disappearance of the other person from their life, without any closure or explanation.

It can be a hurtful and confusing experience for the person who has been ghosted, as they may be left wondering what they did wrong or what happened to the other person. Ghosting can also be emotionally damaging, as it can lead to feelings of rejection, abandonment, and self-doubt.

And there you go, another reason why your imposter syndrome is poking you again. Why is this happening to me? What did I do or say wrong? Is the price too high? Why they don’t want to collaborate with me? All examples of questions that might cross your mind.

But to get to some kind of closure in your mind and put your overthinking at rest here are some of the reasons why ghosting each other after onboarding or discovery calls (specifically in this example) might happen:

Lack of Interest: One of the most common reasons for ghosting could be a lack of interest. Either one of you (the freelancer or business owner) may have decided that the project isn’t a good fit for you, or you may have found someone else who is a better match.

Overwhelming workload: Sometimes you may be overloaded with work and personal tasks, which can cause delays in responding to new projects or potential clients. This can be especially true for us freelancers who may have multiple clients or projects to manage at once. 🫠 Although I learned the hard way that I can’t juggle more than 2 projects at the same time (with totally different scopes).

Communication breakdown: It’s possible that there was a miscommunication or misunderstanding during your onboarding or discovery call. Language or vocabulary barrier? This could lead to confusion or uncertainty, causing one of you to delay or avoid responding.

Change of Plans: Either of you may have had a change of plans or priorities, which could cause a loss of interest in the project or client. 😶‍🌫️

Fear of Rejection: Sometimes freelancers or business owners can avoid responding because they are afraid of rejection or negative feedback. They may feel uncomfortable telling the client that they aren’t interested or that they don’t think they are a good fit. Although I always advocate being honest and giving some sort of honest feedback or explanation.

What is important is to remember that ghosting can be frustrating and unprofessional, but it’s not always intentional! And not always it's about you! If you’re experiencing ghosting, it may be helpful to follow up with the other party to see if there was a miscommunication. After 3 days if they don’t respond you can follow up then or after a week (depending on your assessment of their communication style) to check if they are still interested in moving forward. If not, it’s best to move on and focus your energy on finding a new opportunity. 😊 Or work on your personal project and portfolio.

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