I’m Glad She Didn’t Hire Me: How to Find Clients That Are Right For You Too
- 97katiewilliams
- Oct 9
- 6 min read
Learning how to find clients who are actually the right fit for you takes practice. Here’s my story of the one who didn’t hire me—and why I’m so glad she didn’t.
Why Finding the Right Clients Matters
Here’s something I didn’t realize when I first started freelancing: it’s not just about how to find clients… it’s about how to find the right ones.
When you’re new, it feels like you should say yes to everyone. Bills need paying, you’re trying to prove yourself, and you’re just happy anyone wants to hire you. But sometimes the best thing that can happen is actually not getting hired at all.
Sound funky? Let me explain.
The Client I Didn’t Land (and Why That’s a Good Thing)
This potential client was genuinely wonderful. She was sweet, kind, passionate about her work—all the things you want in a person. But her business? That was another story. It was a bundle of high-touch, complicated systems that demanded multiple daily check-ins and a level of detail that would’ve turned me into a ball of anxiety.
Here was my problem: I have a one-year-old. My whole business is built around having a flexible schedule, not being glued to a laptop all day long. And while I’m great at problem-solving and big-picture strategy, teeny-tiny detail work is not my strong suit. It makes me so anxious, honestly.
The funny part? I knew this from the second I read her initial email. I could just tell. My gut was screaming, “This isn’t for you!” But did I trust my gut? Ha! Nope. I always second-guess. What if I’m wrong? What if no one else hires me? What if I should just suck it up and do the job anyway?
So I didn’t say no. I took the call, we talked through her needs, and afterward I gave her three pricing options. And then… I waited. And waited. And followed up twice. And finally got the classic, “I’ll get back to you next week.” (Spoiler: she never did.)
And honestly? I was fine with it. Relieved, even. Because deep down, I knew she wasn’t the right fit for me.
Just Keep Swimming 🐟🐠
The old version of me would have been devastated. I used to think if a job was available, I had to take it—even if I hated it. Because, you know, “a job’s a job.”
And sometimes that’s true. If you need the money to make ends meet, you do what you have to do. I’ve been there. But right now, I’m lucky enough to be in a season where I don’t have to say yes to every opportunity. We live on a tight budget, sure. I’m not rocking designer handbags or taking luxury vacations. But we’re comfortable.
And because of that, I can choose sustainability over desperation. I can choose clients that fit the business I’m trying to build instead of clients who make me resent my work.
That’s what learning how to find clients really means to me—finding the ones who make sense for my skills, my schedule, and my sanity.
How to Find Clients Who Actually Fit You
Okay, storytime's over. Time to get practical. Here are some lessons I’ve been learning (and honestly, still working on) when it comes to how to find clients who actually fit.
Define your "ends meet"
Before you can decide whether a client is worth it, you’ve got to know what “enough” looks like. For us, it means homemade coffee, minimal eating out, road trip camping vacations, and a budget that’s tight but works.
Knowing that number gives me freedom. It means I can walk away from projects that don’t feel right without panicking about losing everything.
DO pay attention to the man (or woman) behind the curtain
When I meet with a client, I always research their business—website, social media, the whole vibe. But then I also meet the person behind it.
Sometimes the business looks awesome, but the person is… not. Sometimes the person is lovely, but the business is chaos. You really do need both.
Trust your gut
This one’s hard, especially when you’re starting out. My gut told me this client wasn’t a fit, but I second-guessed myself. Over time, though, I’ve realized that intuition is a muscle—you build it by using it.
👉 Pro tip: If your stomach tightens or your energy drops after a client call, pay attention. That’s your body telling you something.
Set boundaries upfront
This is another one that you have to think about. Look at people you've worked with in the past. What's gone well, what hasn't, and why?
For me, I'm not the "answer-your-text-at-4am" kind of girl. And I tell clients that in our very first meeting. If you need someone on call 24/7, it's not gonna be me. Know that boundaries aren’t barriers—they’re clarity. And the right clients will respect them.
Don't ignore red flags
I used to brush these off. Not anymore. A few red flags I watch for now:
People who “forget” to answer emails until you chase them.
Clients who say “I’m super laidback” but are actually glued to their inbox and emailing you 6 times an hour wondering why you aren't responding.
Vague expectations with no contract in sight.
(new one) People who ghost during onboarding.
Trust me: if these show up in the beginning, they’ll only get worse later.
**it seems important to note: Don't ignore the green flags either. I once had a potential client who was so excited to meet with me that she hired me during our initial call. I gave her an out to think things over, but she was already all in. That's the kind of enthusiasm you want. She saw what I could offer, knew she wanted in, and leapt. Now she's my most involved client and I LOVE working with her.
Why Saying "No" is Actually a Win
The best thing about that client not hiring me? It reminded me that a “no” isn’t failure. It’s freedom.
Freedom to wait for the right client.
Freedom to build the business I actually want.
Freedom to trust myself a little more each time.
Every no (whether mine or theirs) makes me a little braver about saying yes only when it feels right.
So Let's Build The Business You Actually Want
At the end of the day, learning how to find clients isn’t just about filling your calendar. It’s about creating the kind of business—and life—you want.
For me, that means family first, flexible schedules, and clients who see me as a partner, not a machine. For you, it might look a little different. But one thing is true across the board: you don’t just need clients. You need the right clients.
And sometimes, the best way to find them is to be glad about the ones who didn’t hire you.
Quick FAQs: How to Find Clients
What's the most important thing to look for in a client?
That you BOTH fit together. Are you guys aligned? Do their values, communication style, and expectations match yours? Check out this article for some more insight on what I want my clients to look for when hiring me.
Should I take a client just for the money?
If you have to, yes. But in the long term, you're gonna burn out. Try to build toward sustainability (even if that means cutting somethings out of your lifestyle) so you can choose better fits down the road. **Please make sure you're eating and have a place to stay, that's not what I'm saying here. 🙂
How can I politely turn down a client?
Be honest and kind. Say thank you for the opportunity, explain why you're no the right fit, and (if you can) refer them to someone else. There are lots of great FB and LinkedIn groups where people can search for business help.
Where's the best place to start finding clients?
All of my current clients I got via word-of-mouth referrals. But if you're just starting out, check out networking events and try to connect with people on social media. I most recently reached out to someone who's newsletter I'm subscribed to. No word back yet though, so no official suggestion here. 😜
👉 If you’re reading this and thinking, “I wish I had someone in my corner who actually gets me and my business,” that’s where I come in.
As an Online Business Manager, I help small business owners untangle the chaos, set up systems that actually work for them, and build businesses that feel sustainable—not suffocating. Because just like you need the right clients, you also need the right support.
If you’re ready to stop duct-taping your business together and start running it with clarity and confidence, let’s chat. You can schedule a call below and we’ll see if working together is the right fit—for both of us.
