If you're a customer looking to hire contractors, let this be your guide on how you should not behave. If you're a freelancer, you know exactly why you're reading this.
Based on personal experience and conversations with fellow freelancers, we've gathered insights on how to minimize ghosting risks and what to do when it happens. Here's what we learned from independent contractors who've been through it.
Why Clients Ghost (The Real Reasons)
Financial Situation Changed
Yesterday they had budgets. Today they don't have a penny. Poor planning, unexpected costs—whatever the reason, a client who runs out of money is likely to disappear.
Management Changed
The previous manager loved outsourcing. The new manager hates freelancers. Unexpected staff changes can make your contact—and your payment—vanish.
Online Disinhibition Effect
"No face-to-face communication = no responsibility." Some internet virus turns people into freeloaders when they don't have to look you in the eye.
Too Much on Their Plate
Poor organization means they simply forgot about you. A reminder email might actually net you that paycheck.
Feels Inconvenient to Fire You
They were too shy to tell you they didn't like your work. So they disappeared instead. Doesn't explain why they didn't pay, though.
Deliberate Strategy
The worst reason: they secretly chose to not pay you from the moment they hired you. Deliberate cheapskating.
The Three Ways Clients Ghost
1. Disappears Completely
The golden standard of ghosting. They stop responding to messages, emails, and calls. Their profile gets deleted. Case closed—or is it?
2. Ignores You for Long Periods
Just when you think they'll never return, they reappear with edits, a partial payment, and promises to pay in full "later." Then vanish again.
3. Brain-Picks You
They invite you to "discuss project details" over lunch. Ask your opinions on everything. Admire your expertise. Promise to hire you "soon." Then never return—full of your free ideas.
6 Ways to Minimize Ghosting Risks
You can't completely dodge ghosting. But you can minimize the damage by organizing your work process properly. If you work through vetted platforms, many of these are handled for you.
Upfront Payments
Asking for upfront payments is completely normal and professional. Beginner freelancers often agree to work for "some time later" payment—and fall victim to unscrupulous clients.
"While you can't stop clients from ghosting, you can stop them from running away with your money by doing only work that has been paid for in advance." — Independent Contractor
Milestone Payments (Escrow)
Agree on chunks of work you'll deliver in exchange for portions of payment. If you back down, the client doesn't lose too much. If they disappear, you don't waste too much time.
"By setting up regular milestones with smaller payments, you increase interaction with the client—they're less likely to ghost if you've become friends through the process." — B2B Ghostwriter
Discuss Extra Communication Cases
Agree upfront on situations requiring additional communication. Ask them to inform you about payment delays. Tell them you'll inform them if deadlines need to shift.
Incentivize Disciplined Clients
Creative payment psychology can help:
"I offer a small 3% discount if they pay within 24 hours. It's more effective than charging a late fee—many clients jump on those discounts. And because it's not advertised, I don't attract clients only out for deals."
Charge for Professional Expertise
Unscrupulous clients say "Let's discuss the project" then vanish with your free ideas. To avoid brain-picking and scope creep, always charge for consultations.
Work with Reliable Platforms
ID verification and positive reviews alone don't make a platform reliable. We're talking about best-in-class platforms that curate the work process between you and the client, and guarantee your payment once you complete the work.
Warning Signs a Client Will Ghost
Watch for These Red Flags
- Bully-like negotiation: Aggressive tactics during proposals and estimates
- Deposit resistance: Unwilling to pay a reasonable upfront payment
- Price dictating: Trying to tell you how much you should charge
- Post-signature scrutiny: Questioning contract terms after signing
Individually, these may not mean much. But multiple red flags? Consider cutting losses or securing payment before continuing.
What to Do If You're Being Ghosted
Step 1 Resend Invoices
Sometimes this simple measure is enough. Maybe they forgot. Maybe they got distracted. Maybe your repeated invoice made them feel guilty.
Step 2 Follow-Up Email or Social Message
Don't feel embarrassed about "disturbing" clients. You did the work. You deserve payment. Write follow-up messages.
Step 3 Direct Call
When polite messages don't help, escalate to a phone call. Harder to ignore than an email.
Step 4 Spread the Word
Use Trustpilot, G2 Crowd, or industry communities to review who ghosted you, when, and how. Stick to facts only—no embellishment.
But First, Check Their Circumstances
Don't rush to judgment. Sometimes there's a legitimate reason:
"We were writing a novel for a client in California when he stopped answering emails. His phone stopped working. We heard nothing for nine months. Then we got a call—he'd been in a car crash. His girlfriend left him. He made his way across the country. New home, new job, new life. He needed to complete the book as a therapeutic exercise. So, we continued where we left off."
We're all human. Sometimes clients ghost not because they're jerks, but because of life circumstances.
Should You Blacklist Ghosting Clients?
The Case for Blacklisting
If someone ghosts repeatedly, or combines ghosting with other problematic behavior, protect yourself and warn others.
The Case for Second Chances
"When I've been warned about a client who ghosted a previous freelancer, that client paid me quickly. Things happen, life happens. Unless there's reason to believe they ghost regularly, I prefer the benefit of the doubt."
Should You Take Legal Action?
The "I'm calling my lawyer" threat is a nuclear option. It can devastate you along with your opponent.
"I can't see a possible upside of going to court. It takes time, money, and stress. Your business, family life, and possibly your health will suffer. Unless you've done thousands of dollars of work unpaid, even if you win and collect, you lose."
That said, the mention of legal action can motivate some clients to pay—as long as you have a signed contract. But don't threaten unless you have the means to follow through.
Frequently Asked Questions
How common is client ghosting for freelancers?
Very common. Most experienced freelancers have been ghosted at least once. The risk increases with new clients, projects without contracts, and work without upfront payment. Using vetted platforms significantly reduces ghosting because both parties are verified and payment is secured.
What percentage upfront payment should I ask for?
Industry standard is 30-50% upfront for projects. For hourly work, weekly payment is safest. For ongoing relationships, monthly with clear milestones works. Never start significant work without some payment commitment—it's a basic professional practice.
How do vetted platforms prevent client ghosting?
Vetted platforms verify both clients and freelancers. Payment is held in escrow before work begins. If a client tries to ghost, the platform intervenes. The client's reputation is tracked across the platform. This creates accountability that direct freelancing lacks.
The Bottom Line
Take precautionary measures: upfront payments, milestone escrow, clear communication agreements. And work with reliable platforms that curate the process and guarantee payment.
The scariest ghosts are the ones who owe you money. But with the right protections in place, you don't have to be haunted.
Work with Verified Clients
Boundev verifies clients and secures payment. No more chasing ghosts.
Find Work Now