Picture this→ One of your consistent clients hits you up for a project. You check your timetable and discover you have enough time–and space– to take on a new project.
The project begins and is divided into 5 different milestones, the first 2 milestones are completed almost hitch-free, but after sending in the 3rd deliverable, your client sends you a surprising message…
“Did you outsource this part of the project to someone else? The quality of your final work is a far cry from the standard you set with the first 2 submissions”.
Sometimes, your first instinct is to let this get to you and affect your perception of the client or quality of work going forward. But that’s not how to win in this business. Here, dealing with negative feedback (or outright rejection) the right way can be the difference between securing a long-term client and getting one who bolts off after a few completed milestones.
In this post, we’ll explore all you can do when dealing with negative feedback, offer tips on assessing the situation and retracing your steps, and ultimately, how to turn situations like these into valuable lessons for future success.
1. Acknowledge the Emotion, but Don’t Dwell on It
It’s natural to feel disappointed, frustrated, or even angry when you get negative feedback on a project. It could hurt a lot more when you think of the time, energy, and resources invested in this project, so when your client doesn’t receive it the way you’d want, it tends to sting a bit.
However, it’s crucial not to internalize the emotion. Rather, remember the client is only rejecting your idea at this point, and if you refine and present a better idea (with better outcomes), you will get a better review.
Actionable Tip: When you receive negative feedback or rejection, give yourself a specific time frame to study the sequence of events, if you did make any mistakes (no one’s perfect… we all have slip-ups, don’t we?), take responsibility for it and work to fix it.
2. Seek Constructive Feedback
If the rejection is vague or you received a simple “no,” it’s worth following up politely to gain some clarity. Constructive feedback is a goldmine because it provides insight into where you can improve.
Instead of assuming the worst, ask your client specific questions about what they felt didn’t work, how the project fell short of expectations, or what they would have preferred. This not only shows your professionalism but also opens up an opportunity for future improvement.
Actionable Tip: Send a polite and professional message, like:
“Thank you for your feedback on the project. I always aim to give my clients the best, so I would appreciate any specific feedback on areas where you felt the project could have been stronger.”
3. Don’t Take it Personally
It’s easy to conflate rejection with personal failure, especially when you’re a solopreneur or small business owner, where your identity is closely tied to your business. But the truth is, clients are humans just like you (and their probably dealing with negative feedback too).
They deal with several other freelancers, have family matters to attend to, need to answer to clients or bosses, and get worked up too. So sometimes, the stress of dealing with these other factors can influence how they act towards you–and your deliverables.
Rather than internalizing negative feedback as a flaw in your abilities, view it as a business decision that may have little to do with you and learn to grow a thick(er) skin.
Actionable Tip: Remind yourself of past successes with that client, and if there are none, remember the client is human and cut them some slack. Also, make a list of client testimonials, successful projects, or achievements and study them to see if there are any similarities in the nature of the feedback you received.
4. Reframe Negative Feedback as a Learning Opportunity
Every review offers a learning opportunity, even the negative ones. Whether it’s adjusting your approach, refining your communication style, asking the right questions before any project, or improving your technical skills, every “this is not good enough” has something to teach you.
Actionable Tip: After receiving negative feedback, ask yourself:
– What could I have done differently?
– Did I misinterpret the client’s needs?
– What were the issues outlined and has this happened with anyone else before?
Use this reflection as a tool to help you know where you need to improve.
5. Keep Perspective and Stay Persistent
Success doesn’t come from avoiding feedback—it comes from persevering through it. Many successful freelancers and business owners have faced “this is not what we want” before they found their rhythm and started getting more “yes, this is perfect.”
Actionable Tip: Create a personal resilience routine. This could include activities like meditation, exercise, or hobbies that help you de-stress and maintain a positive mindset despite setbacks.
6. Stay Professional and Maintain Relationships
How you handle negative reviews speaks volumes about your professionalism. Responding to a “no” with grace, maturity, and positivity could leave a lasting impression on the client, who may reconsider you for future projects or even refer you to others.
Always send a polite message thanking the client for their time and consideration, even if the result wasn’t what you hoped for. Maintaining these relationships shows that you’re professional, reliable, flexible, and open to collaboration in the future.
Actionable Tip: A closing message could look like this:
“Thank you for the opportunity to work on this project. While I’m sorry to hear it didn’t work out this time, I hope we can collaborate in the future. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever have a need for my services.“
7. Develop a Support System When Dealing With Negative Feedback
Having a network of fellow freelancers, artisans, or service providers who understand your journey can make a world of difference when dealing with negative feedback. These are people who’ve been through similar experiences and can offer encouragement, share lessons, or simply listen when you need to vent.
Whether it’s through online forums, industry groups, or personal relationships, having a support system reminds you that you’re not alone.
Actionable Tip: Consider joining online communities or local meetups where other solopreneurs gather to share insights and experiences. This can provide a sense of camaraderie and help you navigate tough times.
Conclusion: Rejection is Not the End
Rejection and negative feedback are part of every freelancer, artisan, and service provider’s journey. While it can be disheartening, especially because freelancing is full of hurtful clients, fake promises, and disappearing clients, it is important to focus on what matters most (your craft) when dealing with negative feedback and work to get better at what you do. You should also see negative feedback and rejection as stepping stones to help you develop.
