How to Handle Getting Ghosted by a Client

Hey,

One of the most frustrating things for freelancers and small business owners is when a client seems to "disappear" without any explanation or notice.

This situation, known as "getting ghosted," can leave you feeling confused and disrespected, not to mention concerned about how this will affect your business.

Here are some suggestions on how to deal with a client ghosting you in order to help you deal with these emotions and manage the situation effectively.

First and foremost, it’s important to take a step back and assess the situation objectively. Though it may feel personal, it likely isn’t—clients may have simply become too busy, run into external issues outside of your control, or changed their mind about the project. Before jumping to conclusions, take time to reflect on what might have happened so as not to make assumptions based on emotions.

Once you have identified potential causes of the disappearance, try reaching out respectfully in an attempt to clarify things.

You can start by sending a polite email that explains why you haven’t heard back from them; if no response is received after multiple attempts or if they respond with excuses rather than details, then it may be best to move on from the relationship.

At times like these, it also helps to remind yourself that this experience is not an isolated one—ghosting clients is unfortunately common in many industries, particularly ones that include long-distance communication or freelance projects. Rather than letting anger take over, you should acknowledge that this type of behaviour is often beyond your control and focus instead on learning lessons for future ventures.

Finally, remember to use this experience as an opportunity for growth in both professional and personal realms. You might want to look at your work process and see where it could be improved. You could also think of ways to reduce risk in future collaborations, like asking for deposits or setting payment milestones.

Also, give yourself time and space to think about what went wrong without judging yourself. It's normal to feel like a failure, but letting those feelings take over your motivation will prevent any new successes from happening.

In conclusion, although "getting ghosted" by a client can be upsetting at first glance, it doesn't have to lead down a path of despair; instead, we can use this challenging moment as fuel for learning and improvement—both professionally and personally.

As long as we remain steadfast in finding meaningful solutions while being mindful of our own reactions during trying times, we will come out on top as we strive towards success in our endeavours.

Thanks for reading!
—Gary