When it comes to freelance writing, we are expected to do a lot of things. We have to know a little about this and a little about that. Tamara and I are convinced that we would make awesome cocktail party attendees because of the random assortment of knowledge we’ve accumulated while researching topics ranging from medical procedures to naughty nurse lingerie.
Now that I think about it, neither of those is probably good small talk fodder, but you get the idea.
In most cases our clients don’t expect us to be experts. In fact, a whole lot of them are billing themselves as experts while relying on the material that we write for them. I suppose that if you want to think of us as “experts” in anything, it would be in researching a topic well enough to present it intelligently in writing.
So, imagine my dismay when I recently researched a topic for a client and realized that I was just in no way qualified to present it in the format he wanted. In my own defense, when I initially agreed to the project, it was definitely of a scope that I could handle. The client himself came back with massive changes, and I didn’t realize just how much that affected my ability to perform until I really waded hip-deep into the first of several topics he had assigned.
I’m pretty sure that more than one expletive was muttered as I began to imagine trying to teach his clients how to do things that I myself didn’t understand. With unlimited time and resources, sure, I could learn the topic well enough to fake it, but I don’t have unlimited time and resources. At the moment, in fact, my time and resources are both at a premium.
This means I had to do something that I absolutely detest. I had to let him down. I had to disappoint a client. Ugh. It makes me cringe just to type those words. Thank goodness for Tamara, because I might still be flailing about if she hadn’t given me “permission” to bow out of the project. I sent him a very honest email explaining that because I recognize the importance of his project’s success, I also recognize that I am not the one to do it justice.
It stings. It’s embarrassing. It sucks to lose the money. I realize that I’ve probably also lost respect from the client and will probably not be asked to work with him again. But, when all is said and done, it was the best decision.
I’m hoping that you all will make me feel a little better. Have you ever gotten in over your head? How did you handle it?
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Christina Lemmey is the mother of two school-aged girls, a wife, and the owner of 
Hey, Lorna!
First of all, I want to offer up lots of cyber hugs: ((((((HUGS))))))
I’ve actually had a similar experience. When I first agreed to the project, the client and I was elated. Like you, the realization came that I was in over my head. I was honest with my client and told them I was in over my head and I felt I wouldn’t do the project justice. The client thanked me for my honesty and that was that.
Hold your chin up and keep writing!
*smiles*
Michele
Micheles last blog post..Health Sites I Love
Ouch, I know how you feel. I`ve turned down work because of that same reason. It`s definitely not fun and you feel awful, but think of how awful you would have felt if you turned in substandard work and spent all that time and effort stressing over it only to have the entire project rejected. You definitely did the right thing!
Focus on the work you are able to do and spend the time you would have spent stressing over that job snuggling with Dot! You`ll feel much better.
You TOTALLY did the right thing! We recently bowed out of a web project that would have commanded a high price tag. I made this decision partially because we would have had to spend hours and hours unpaid while we did the research to gain footing, but more importantly than that, I knew that it would drain my team and consume every resource we had in house and therefore, our other clients would suffer. You did the right thing for your own business as well as for the businesses of your other clients who rely on you to be focused and happy so that you can catapult them to the next levels with your brilliant writing! : ) As your client, I for one am grateful to you for your decision!
Billie
dah, every freelancer has been there. how can I make you feel better? well, I’m still around, and I’ve screwed up royally in the past. Does that help? Be like Dory “Just keep swimming.”
Allenas last blog post..Intro to Magazine Writing; Guest Post by Jan Lundy, Author of "Your Truest Self"
Oh, I know that disappointment! A very long time ago, very early in my freelance career, a podiatrist wanted help writing a book on plastic surgery of the foot. It seemed like a good project at the time, but the problem was that every time I’d look at the source material and the photographs I’d get woozy and nauseated. I eventually admitted defeat and found another writer for him. My big disappointment was in how long I struggled before I could admit to my inability to do the assignment.
Lindas last blog post..An Unexpected Partnership
Thanks, everyone, for your words of encouragement. Sometimes it’s nice to know that others have been in the same boat. As a follow up, I’ll let you know that the client was very gracious about it and still wants to work with me on other projects. Whew!
Honestly, I think your client should be thanking you for being so upfront about it rather than him being stuck with what might not have been your very best work. I think that speaks volumes about your work ethic.