The Opposite Problem of Wanting More Followers
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The saying goes every person you meet is a business opportunity, but a person I met at a recent event just gave me odd vibes. The conversation went past courteous business-customer chit-chat and I got the sense this lonely person isn’t interested in my services. They asked for my contact information, which I reluctantly gave.
Now I dread this person will pop up on my social media or call my contact number. I’ve had a bad experience with a co-worker who abused the emergency contact system. Eventually I lost my composure and told them to stop contacting me. I’m afraid to do this as a freelancer who needs to maintain a good reputation online.
When polite deflection fails to work, how to tell the customer you aren't their friend and to respect the boundary?
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@willicreate just ignore he or she. How would that hurt your reputation online?
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@willicreate hi Will. You can block them if it comes to it.
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@willicreate What's wrong with seeking friendship with other artists at events/conventions? It's a good place to meet people. I'm not understanding why you have so much distrust for someone who potentially wants to share a meaningful connection that is not transactional.
At events you'll meet a lot of people and most stay as aquaintances. Maybe this person asked for your contact info to be polite or they were expecting a follow-for-follow.
It seems like you're imagining a scenerio and feeling anxiety about something that hasn't happened yet.
Very simply, wait until you are actually facing a problem before you start worrying and then respond appropriately with some degree of consideration, dignity and kindness...keeping in mind this person is offering you friendship and not radioactive sewage. -
@willicreate I think it's okay to simply let someone know you aren't interested in a friendship right now for personal reasons. Most people won't have a problem with normal boundaries.
You can also delay and limit the amount of times you are willing to reply back to someone within a certain amount of time. They will learn from experience that you aren't really interested in being their new best friend by not being easily available all the time.
No one has a right to force their way onto your life, and most people will know that. If word gets out that you turned down someone's friendship, most people aren't going to be concerned when looking to buy from you or hire you for something. Just make sure to say it with kindness and that's all most people will care about.
I also think it's okay to follow your gut about people. If something feels off about someone I think it is okay to keep a distance.
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@willicreate for a matter of best practice and safety, always have a different professional contact than your personal one.
This is why many artists I follow have a p.o.box setup for mail or a virtual office at a coworking
Also your direct contacts. Its ok to have an work email and a work phone number (I use skype and google phone) and you give each to whom you feel better sharing with.
And social media as well. Have your professional social where you dont have anything related to your friends, family and so on.
To close the comment, a separate bank account for professional work its great for tax prep and also personal information care.
