25 Polite Ways for a Freelance Marketing Copywriter to Say "No" to a Client or Prospect

 

Navigating client expectations can be challenging, especially when you need to turn down a request. As a freelance marketing copywriter, it's essential to maintain professionalism while setting boundaries.

Saying "no" doesn't have to be uncomfortable or confrontational. By framing your refusal with empathy, alternatives, and professionalism, you can maintain a positive relationship with clients and prospects while upholding your standards and boundaries. 

Here are 25 ways to say "no" that start conversations without burning bridges.

1. The Feasibility Decline

“Yes, it can be done, but it shouldn’t be done.”

2. The Ethical Refusal

“Yes, it can be done, but we’re not willing to do it.”

3. The Diplomatic Advice

“We understand why you might want to do that, but we don’t advise it.”

4. The Redirection

“No, we can’t do that, but we can do this.”

5. The Team Consultation

“I don’t think we can do that, but let me get with my team and call you by the end of day to talk about what we would recommend.”

6. The Specialist Referral

“No, that’s not one of our service offerings, but let us introduce you to ______, who is excellent at this.”

7. The Cost Reality Check

“We can estimate it, but I can tell you right now it will be more than you’ll want to pay for this initiative.”

8. The Overloaded Team

“The creative team is swamped with a project in Hawaii and won’t be able to touch this until January.”

9. The Strategic Silence

“We think the ad you’re requesting is a knee jerk reaction. We’re wondering whether the best thing to say about this is…nothing.”

10. The Brand Protection

“No. We don’t do that. Nobody we would recommend would do that. So, please don’t do that to your brand and reputation.”

11. The Holiday Hold

“No. At this point we’re not initiating any new projects until after the holidays.”

12. The Experience Filter

“Based on our experience, this approach might not yield the results you’re looking for.”

13. The Market Insight

“Our market research indicates this strategy isn’t effective for your target audience.”

14. The Timeline Issue

“We would love to help, but your requested timeline doesn’t allow us to deliver the quality you deserve.”

15. The Resource Constraint

“Unfortunately, our current workload prevents us from taking on this project right now.”

16. The Prioritization Explanation

“Our current priorities don’t align with this project, but we’re open to discussing it again in the future.”

17. The Conflict of Interest

“This project presents a conflict of interest for us, so we must decline.”

18. The Scope Mismatch

“This request falls outside the scope of our services, but we can recommend someone who specializes in this area.”

19. The Long-Term Vision

“We’re focused on long-term strategies, and this project feels more like a short-term fix.”

20. The Capacity Clarification

“We don’t have the capacity to take on this project right now.”

21. The Value Misalignment

“We believe our expertise is better suited to other types of projects that align more closely with our values.”

22. The Resource Limitation

“Our current resources are stretched too thin to do justice to your project.”

23. The Experience Caution

“Our past experiences with similar projects have shown that this approach rarely works.”

24. The Objective Disagreement

“We’re not convinced this project will help you meet your objectives.”

25. The Creative Integrity

“Maintaining our creative integrity is crucial, and we don’t feel this project aligns with that.”

New Year, New Goals: 11 Key Questions for Marketing Writers to Kickstart 2025

 

The start of a new year is the ideal time to evaluate your strategies, assess your growth, and set powerful intentions for the months ahead. To help you start strong, here are 11 key questions to ask yourself and answer to refine your approach and make 2025 your best year yet.

WARNING: Although the following exercise is simple, it's difficult and time consuming. If you're up for that, it's rewarding and well worth your time and effort. If not, before you say, "This is too much of a pain in the backside, I'll pass," re-read the question in the graphic above.

 

2024 PERFORMANCE 

1. What Worked Last Year?

• Which campaigns, strategies, or types of content performed exceptionally well?
• What metrics supported this success (e.g., engagement rates, conversions, or ROI)?
• How can I replicate or scale these successes in the new year?

2. What Didn’t Work Last Year?

• Were there projects or tactics that didn’t meet expectations?
• Was the challenge in the strategy, execution, or something external like timing or audience?
• How can I pivot or experiment to address these gaps?

3. How Did Work Feel Last Year?

• Did my typical workday energize or drain me?
• What tasks or projects did I look forward to and which ones did I dread?
• Did I manage my time effectively? Where did I spend too much time and energy, and where could I have streamlined or delegated? 

 

CLIENT OUTREACH & RELATIONSHIPS

1. Is My Client List a Good Fit?

• Did my clients have realistic expectations around goals, budgets, and timelines?
• Do I like working with them? Did they foster a positive, collaborative working relationship? Were they receptive to my feedback and insights?
• Did they pay on time?

2. Who Are My Best Prospects Today?

• Has my target customer evolved? If so, how?
• Are there new segments or niches I can connect with this year?
• What outreach (platforms and formats) resonates most with my customers/prospects right now?

3. How Can I Stand Out?

• What’s trending in marketing writing in my industry/niche?
• How can I bring fresh perspectives?
• What unique voice or value can I amplify in my client outreach this year?
  
  

PERSONAL

1. What Were My Top Challenges in 2024?

• What were my three biggest obstacles to success last year?
• Which of these challenges are within my control to change or influence?
• What small, actionable steps can I take to address them this year?

2. Am I Growing as a Writer?

• Have I challenged myself to explore new formats or platforms?
• Are there skills (SEO, data storytelling, multimedia content, etc.) that I’d like to master?
• What opportunities can I create to refine my craft and expand my expertise?

3. What Were My Biggest Wins and Lessons?

• What business achievements am I most proud of from last year?
• What personal achievements brought me the most joy or growth?
• What was my single biggest lesson or learning moment from 2024?

 

THE FUTURE

1. What Does Success Look Like in 2025?

• What are my personal and professional goals for the year?
• How will I measure these goals qualitatively and quantitatively?
• What milestones will keep me motivated and aligned?

2. What Win Would Transform My Business?

• If I could land one dream project, client, or opportunity this year, what would it be?
• What’s holding me back from pursuing it?
• What’s one small step I can take today to move closer to that goal?

 

Put This Exercise to Work: Take some quiet time this week to journal your answers. Then, identify 2-3 actionable steps to implement in January. Whether it’s refreshing your content calendar, identifying new approaches to generate clients, scheduling time for skill-building, or whatever direction this exercise leads you. Small shifts now can create lasting impact. Review your answers monthly and pick a couple of actionable steps to implement that month.

I wish you a year of purposeful work, bold ideas,

meaningful connections, creative breakthroughs, 

and unstoppable growth.

5 Critical Trends Rocking the Business World

Buckle your seatbelt ... it's gonna be a bumpy road.

TREND ONE

Rising Cost of Traffic

The cost of driving traffic to your business is skyrocketing. With more companies vying for digital real estate, advertising costs on platforms like Google and Facebook are increasing sharply. Traditional marketing channels aren't immune either, with prices climbing as demand for visibility outstrips supply. To stay competitive, you'll need to allocate more of your budget to customer acquisition and innovate ways to maximize the return on every dollar spent.

 

TREND TWO

Declining Conversion Rates

As the battle for eyeballs intensifies, conversion rates are plummeting. Consumers are bombarded with choices and distractions, making it harder than ever to convert visitors into customers. Your marketing strategies must evolve. Personalization, user experience optimization, and continuous A/B testing are no longer optional—they're essential. To counteract declining conversions, you need to ensure every step of your customer journey is meticulously crafted to capture and retain interest.

 

TREND THREE

Intensifying Competition

The competitive landscape is becoming fiercer by the day. Globalization, e-commerce, and low barriers to entry mean you’re not just competing with local businesses but with a worldwide market. Differentiation is critical. Whether through superior customer service, unique product offerings, or unbeatable value propositions, finding your niche and excelling within it is more important than ever.

 

TREND FOUR

Stricter Compliance Regulations

Regulatory environments are tightening across industries. Data protection laws, environmental regulations, and industry-specific compliance standards are becoming more rigorous and complex. Non-compliance is not an option—it can lead to hefty fines, legal troubles, and irreparable reputational damage. Staying ahead of these regulations requires constant vigilance and a proactive approach to legal compliance, including regular audits and updates to your policies and procedures.

 

TREND FIVE

Disruptive Technologies

New technologies, especially AI and robotics, are transforming the business world at an unprecedented pace. These innovations promise increased efficiency and new capabilities but also bring significant disruption. Businesses that fail to adapt risk obsolescence. Embracing these technologies means investing in the right tools and training your workforce to harness their potential effectively. From automating routine tasks to leveraging AI for predictive analytics and customer insights, technology should be at the heart of your strategic planning.

 

The Path Forward

Yep, it's a  volatile environment ... so agility and adaptability are your best allies. Conduct regular market analyses to stay ahead of trends, invest in continuous learning and development for your team, and prioritize innovation in all areas of your business. Building strong relationships with customers and maintaining high ethical standards will also help navigate these challenges.

The business world is more dynamic and challenging than ever before. By recognizing these trends and proactively addressing them, you can not only survive but thrive in the face of adversity. So, buckle up and get ready for a demanding yet exhilarating ride ahead.

You should be fired.

The first time I got fired, I took it hard... it took me some time to open my eyes and see that my family still loved me and I still had all the "stuff" that made me so good at the job I was fired from.

 

It was a tough but good lesson. The next time I got fired, it took me a very short time to shake off the anger and disappointment, knowing that they were the losers in the equation.

And that experience was further driven into my conscious by my friend Don's brother Bill: 

He told me the story of getting hit by a train.

He was trying to save his dog that was on the tracks.

He saved the dog, but was hit by the train.

And was dragged and then spit out between the wheels.

He went through a protracted healing process, but lived. Obviously.

And after telling me the story, he said, in a thick South Carolina accent: "Ya know, Scotty, once you've been run over by a train, nothin' else bad that happens seems like that big a deal."

 

Yes, that's a true story ... and ... I hate being called "Scotty" but I didn't tell him.