advice about when clients decide not to use you

[blueblah]

I am a very good freelancer, with a lot of good work in my portfolio. And many happy clients.

Inevitably, though, some clients move on elsewhere.

I guess this is normal and reflects human relationships in general!

How does anyone deal with the rejection feeling when this happens?

I'm struggling at the moment as a very old client has said they can't use me for two big projects, but has asked me to complete an interim project before they move it on to the new company that will take it over.

I'm conflicted, and hurt. Should I go with the money (significant) or just ditch it?

Generally as a freelancer do you experience the ups and downs of rejection often?

My field is competitive and whilst I am skilled at my job and receive great feedback, often my personality (not inline with the confident, competitive nature of much of my industry) lets me down and I feel clients judge me more on my character than my skillset....

Any advice?

As a freelancer, honestly, I think you have to accept that your personality is as important to your business as your skill set.

If a shop had lovely clothes but painful shop assistants, I would be less likely to shop there than somewhere else that had nice clothes AND the shop assistants were great to deal with. It’s as simple as that.

I agree, I too am a freelancer and I know sometimes I have a clash of personality with clients, as I am very honest and can come across as abrupt at times.

Personality is really important to clients, especially in a competitive market.

You don't need to deal with the rejection, it just business. Don't take it to heart. They are many reasons why it moves away from you sometimes, and it's not always about you. Don't over analyse, move forward.
...oh and always take the money

You have to separate personal feelings from business. Clients use other suppliers - that's a fact of life. You have to deal with it. Don't over-think it. For whatever reason, they've chosen someone else for their next pieces of work. It's almost certainly not personal. Unless there's any other ill-feeling or dispute, just be polite and professional. Always keep doors open as they may well come back after being disappointed with others.

This has happened to me a couple of times and it's horrible!

In a way it's easier for me as my communication is always virtual - I've never met my clients in person and it's all email or Skype. It means I don't really know them and they don't know me, and it's easier not to take things personally.

I did loads of writing for a legal firm for a while, the partner putting hte work my way clearly had the idea I was a law student, no idea why as I'd never told him I was. Once on a Skype call he asked when my exams were and I put him right - that although I was comfortable writing legal stuff, I wasn't a law student. Next day I got an email saying they wouldn't be using me again. Weird.

Happened to me earlier this year and a couple of times over the year. The client was very cagey and didn't let me know outright and kept stringing me along saying there was going to be some work. In the end I just asked them what was going on. I'm 100% sure that it was down to other supplier being cheaper. They did continue using printers that I'd introduced them to and they said that the new supplier was a nightmare to work with so yes cheaper... better maybe not!

In other cases it's been a friend of managing directors that they've moved over to and there's not a lot I can do about that.

In your case I would take the money and then put all your energies into finding new clients. That's what I did, then when original company needed something doing I was fully booked and I had to break the news that they would have to wait a while...

They are clients, not friends.

Remember as a freelancer you have no idea what goes on the client's office, your contact might leave, there might be a new employee etc.

I have freelanced for 9 years now, and I have learned the hard way that you can never get too many clients. You need to constantly market yourself and be in a position where you have to turn down work because you can't fit it in (psychologically you are also more attractive if your are very busy, obviously that means you are popular and produces great work). Clients come and go, and you need to put yourself first.

thanks everyone, some great advice here. :)

I think sometimes as a freelancer you feel like the only one in your situation, but I know it's a common theme... and yes will defo try not to take it personally.

In business as in personal relationships we don't always get on with everyone or have the same point of view. So I guess that's just part of life isn't it?

I had some interesting new client enquiries in the last few days so am focussing on the positive! Also they are more in the area I want to go into, which is exciting. I am trying to make my network a bit wider... the worry there is taking on too much at once and being overloaded (a significant possibility!), such a fine balance to be obtained!!

Anyway thanks so much everyone for the fab advice and wishing you all a great Xmas / new year.

I'm not self employed but part of my job is following up viewings and enquiries to the nursery I manage
There are many reasons why parents don't choose us and sometimes they don't even tell us why they haven't chosen us
It is hard not to take it as a rejection but I have to be professional, put on a smile and work towards securing the next enquiry