Notes On: Saying No to Projects!

Beth Evans

9th December 2024

Welcome to a new series on the blog called 'Notes On' where we'll be giving small, bullet point pieces of advice and ideas on different topics. First up is saying no as a creative.

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It can be hard to know when to say no to getting work as an artist, especially if it's something really cool or if work doesn't come around all that often. But, the truth is sometimes you should say no. We all should. Setting boundaries and knowing when you don't have the time, energy or resource (be that physical or mental) is so important! Yes, for maintaining a good quality and standard of work but also for your overall well-being.

That said, it's not always easy to know when or how to turn down a project so let's take a look at some ideas.

Be kind and Considerate:

• When turning down work, thank the person for considering you for the project.

• Acknowledge their thinking of you while respectfully declining the opportunity.

• Try to preserve the relationship whilst enforcing your own boundaries

Be Honest about your Current Workload:

• Express your current commitments upfront.

• Outline the projects you are already handling, demonstrating that you cannot take on additional tasks. You don't have to give specific information. Only that you have other prior commitments.

• Ask them to keep you in mind for future projects and explain why.

  
  

Offer an Alternative Timeframe:

• You don't have to completely reject the idea. Maybe it just needs reshaping. It's up to them whether they accept the new terms but at least you've given yourself a second opportunity at something that fits with your current capacity.

• Suggest a longer deadline or a later date for when you might be available.

• This shows willingness to collaborate without overcommitting yourself.

  
  

Recommend Someone Else:

• Suggest another artist or colleague who may be a good fit for the project.

• This helps the requester while allowing you to decline without feeling guilty.

• Be careful with this one as you don't want to stop clients reaching out to you for future work