You’ve felt it, right? That sting of being ghosted by a client.
You’ve poured energy into crafting a proposal, clarified their exact needs, and maybe even got verbal agreement on how essential your services are to them. Then, out of nowhere, the silence sets in.
No response. No acknowledgment. Not even a quick message to say, “We’ve decided to pause for now.”
It’s frustrating, maddening even. But here’s the thing—what if you’ve done the same?
It’s an uncomfortable thought, but it’s worth sitting with for a moment.
When was the last time you hesitated to respond because it felt too hard or awkward?
When did you put off a follow-up email and then let so much time pass that circling back seemed impossible?
When have you avoided telling someone the truth because it was easier to just… not?
Let me share a recent experience that brought this into sharp focus for me.
An event organizer approached me and a colleague to deliver a full-day workshop for their community. After several discussions, we agreed on the details—budgets, the date, everything. They even sent written confirmation, and we locked the workshop into our schedules. We planned ahead, created a custom marketing video for their audience, and agreed when the deposit payment would be made.
As the agreed deposit date approached, I sent a friendly email confirming the payment timeline. And then—silence.
I followed up three times over the next two weeks. By the third email, I added a note acknowledging that plans can change:
“I understand that business plans sometimes shift—no hard feelings. If this is no longer moving forward, I’ll remove it from my calendar. Please confirm receipt of this email.”
But even then? No response. Nothing.
Not only was this frustrating and a waste of time for me and my colleague, but it also left a lasting impression—one that makes me question whether I’d ever work with or recommend them again.
The truth is, when communication breaks down, it isn’t just an inconvenience. It damages trust, reputation, and relationships.
And that made me pause and think about my own behavior.
Yes, I’ve been ghosted. But am I also guilty of leaving messages unanswered, avoiding uncomfortable conversations, or failing to follow through when things felt too hard?
Maybe you’re feeling the same tug of recognition.
Here’s the thing: how we communicate—especially when things get tough—is a direct reflection of our brand. Silence speaks louder than words, and what it says about us is rarely good.
We all know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of poor communication. Let’s make sure we’re not the ones creating that experience for someone else.
Because the choice to ghost—whether it’s a potential client, collaborator, or anyone else—isn’t just a momentary lapse in etiquette. It could be costing you trust, referrals, and thousands in opportunities.
So, if there’s a message sitting in your drafts folder, a conversation you’ve been avoiding, or a relationship that’s gone quiet—take this as your sign to act.
Ditch the disappearing act.
Your reputation depends on it.
Janine x