After selling an article to a new client, I hoped we would continue to work together on more articles. After a few more sales, however, things took an unexpected turn. The client suddenly grew quiet. All my emails went unanswered.
Eventually, I started to realize what was going on: I was being ghosted.
While ghosting most commonly happens in a romantic relationship, it can also happen in a business relationship.
In my situation, this was a case of professional ghosting. And I’m not alone. Other freelance writers have shared their stories in articles of being ghosted by a client in some form or another.
Forms of Ghosting
Unanswered emails are just one form of being ghosted in a business relationship. Here are some other ways in which the client may be ghosting you:
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Not accepting phone calls.
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Doesn’t show up for meetings
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Cancels interviews
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Cancels a contract or agreement without explanation
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Ignores deadlines
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Shares information through another source (this includes passive-aggressive messages they post on social media)
A client “going ghost” happens quite often for freelance writers. We send emails to clients and, in response, crickets.
This can create a storm of mixed and hurt feelings for the person being ghosted. We may also get angry about how rude this client is acting towards us in ignoring all of our attempts to communicate.
No matter what negative feelings being ghosted can cause, though, it’s important for freelance writers to maintain an air of professionalism. Who really knows why those people are ghosting? It may be something personal – they may have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and Just Can’t anymore, or they may have lost a loved one and are having a hard time coping with their grief. The bottom line is that their ghosting you may not have anything to do with you, personally. Or your work. It might be for some other reason entirely.
The Professional Way to Respond to Being Ghosted by a Client
While it can be frustrating to be ghosted by a client because of unanswered questions and confusion, we writers can deal with the situation without burning any bridges. By maintaining a professional attitude, you could actually resolve this situation and save yourself the embarrassment of acting negatively toward the client should your actions go public.
Here are a few steps you can take if a client starts ghosting you:
Step One: Resist the urge to nag.
It may be tempting to keep badgering an unresponsive client with emails and messages, asking why they are not responding and/or demanding a response. Yes, you have every right to be angry and upset about all of a sudden being ignored without explanation, but keep those feelings to yourself. You might end up having your angry email posted on social media. This can negatively impact your future business.
Step Two: Send one message and be done.
Wait a while and stay busy with other clients. Give the ghosting client some time to settle their affairs. Then, after a few months or so, send one polite email or message touching base with them, asking if they are still interested in working with you. You can include a provision that if you don’t hear from them by a certain date, you will be moving on. If they really want to continue to work with you, they will attempt to get through. If they don’t respond, that’s a sign they’re done.
Step Three: Move on
It was hard to say goodbye to regular work with a client, but, unfortunately, it had to be done. The client just wasn’t responding to my emails. Meanwhile, I had bills that needed to be paid, so I quietly bowed out and moved on to other clients. Moving on from a ghosting client can be very difficult, but it must be done. You won’t get anywhere trying to fight a losing battle with a client who is ghosting you. And meanwhile, your business is being held hostage while you’re trying to sever ties with someone who has cut the lines of communication long ago. Don’t fall into this trap. Accept your loss and move on to other clients who are eager to work with you – and actually answer your messages!
Being ghosted by a client can create a lot of frustration and anxiety. Don’t drag the situation out longer than it should be. Do not let this be the mountain that you sacrifice yourself upon! It’s not worth it.
Ghosting happens to everyone and, unfortunately, it can happen even when you don’t want it to happen. It could happen at the worst time in your career.
Accepting that I was being ghosted was hard to do and moving on was even harder, but it was a learning experience. I realized that, with a situation like this, I should have a plan of action. This was my new plan:
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Don’t rely on work from just one client
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Recognize ghosting in action early
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Don’t take being ghosted personally
While most business relationships are terminated with both parties settling affairs, a freelance writer being professionally ghosted means doing some damage control by yourself.