I ain't afraid of no ghost, but they are REALLY frustrating.

The Frustration of Being Ghosted by Clients

As a freelance graphic designer, one of the most challenging parts of the job isn’t the creative process—it’s the sudden, unexplained disappearance of potential or active clients.

You receive an exciting inquiry, respond promptly with your availability, and start visualizing the great work you can accomplish together. But after exchanging a few promising emails, discussing concepts, or sending over a customized quote, the communication just stops. Your follow-ups go unanswered, your emails seem to disappear into the void, and you’re left completely in the dark about where the project stands.

To My Fellow Freelance Creatives

If you’ve ever dealt with this abrupt silence, you know exactly how incredibly frustrating it is. You dedicate time, energy, and creative thought to a prospective project, only for the client to vanish without a word. You have your schedule organized and your tools ready, but the sudden disappearance leaves you with unfulfilled plans and lost time.

I want to remind my fellow freelancers that if you are experiencing this, you aren’t alone. It is a common, albeit disheartening, hurdle in our industry. It requires resilience and the firm understanding that a client who doesn’t respect your time upfront likely wasn’t the right fit for a successful collaboration anyway.

How I Protect My Time: The Inactivity Clause

To protect my workflow and set clear expectations from day one, I realized I needed a structural solution. I decided to add a specific communication clause to my business terms.

Here are the terms I now include in all my contracts to prevent ghosting:

Inactivity Clause

If a client is unresponsive for 30 consecutive days (including weekends and holidays), I reserve the right to cancel the contract. In this case, the client is liable for the full project fee as initially agreed upon, covering work completed and time allocated to the project.

Implementing this boundary has been a game-changer. It clearly communicates to clients that while I am eager to collaborate, professional communication is a two-way street and my time has value. Since establishing this rule in writing, I’ve noticed a significant drop in disappearing acts. It turns out that when people see a firm, financial boundary regarding their responsiveness, they are much more likely to keep the project moving forward.

By setting these standards, we can protect our schedules and focus our creative energy on the clients who truly value our expertise.