ghosting:

Unfortunately, being ghosted isn't something you might just have to deal with in dating. Far too many freelancers experience "ghosting": where a client seems to entirely ignore your emails, calls and attempts to reach you.

Most commonly, this happens after applying for a role or submitting a job proposal.

Despite the hard work you might have put into a proposal, and despite your best efforts in trying to get feedback, or even just a "sorry but no", so you can move on with your life - nothing. No reply, no feedback, no answers to your messages.

Even worse though, is ghosting after a project has been completed, where project approval or sign-off is required, or worse, you've submitted an invoice, and you've not received any payment. You call, you email, but your communication prompts no response - perhaps leaving you without your invoice paid at all.

Almost every single freelancer I've ever spoken to has had to deal with ghosting at some point in their career - and I'd say it's becoming a more common (and arguably accepted) practice. Many freelancers will say it's simply just part of the process, but personally, I think at best it's disrespectful, at worse, illegal if they're not paying your invoice.

It's really important to remember that ghosting is generally not a reflection upon you - but more generally either a lack of organisation, lack of priorisiation, or lack of respect towards suppliers - read more on why we think ghosting happens here.

Whilst there are things you can do to help reduce the likelihood of ghosting - make sure you're setting your own boundaries, and after a few chases - if it's about a project proposal: assume it's a no, and move on.

If you're being ghosted when you've already done work and are expecting payment however, don't accept this practice.