Ghosting is the practice of ending all communication and contact with another person without any apparent warning or justification and ignoring any subsequent attempts to communicate. 

What is ghosting and how does it impact you? 

The Ghosting etiquette

How does this impact your business in 2023?

I was curious too. I ran a poll recently, and 72% of creatives, whether they were photographers, make up artists, wedding planners, real estate agents, and other various independents, they all agreed that in 2023 the ghosting etiquette has become increasingly worse. Out of every five inquiries, more than two resulted in ghosting for 64% of those who were polled.

What are the consequences of ghosting?

It leaves one questioning their worth and can deeply affect a creative on an emotional level, resulting in anxiety. There is no question that ghosting hurts. It is a cruel form of rejection and also highly unethical.

I am the kind of person that never erases communication history, there are always the occasions where I can receive an inquiry from the same people who would have ghosted me years back, I know it’s not me, and I know they will do it again. I have no particular interest in booking them in, and often I won’t respond.

The ghosting etiquette is a two way street. What they don’t realize, is that they also lose any future potential dealings with you. You should hold everyone to the standard of ethics.

If they don’t choose you. If you are left on silent. They are not your ideal client. Always look at it from the perspective, that your ideal client will respect you. They will treat you like you are wanted.

Written by Angelina Obritsch
June 30, 2023

The Golden Rule!

Always approach a situation from the golden rule, of situation reversal. Imagining that if the person inquiring understood the impact of their behaviour, and if that was towards them, they would feel quite differently. They would be frustrated, and move on to another service provider that is giving them the attention they are seeking.

It’s not you, it’s them. You are not within their budget, really it’s often the most simpler of reasons. Be comfortable in your own skin, in your higher business standards. Is it a waste of time? Absolutely. Is there a way we can combat it? Perhaps with price transparency on our websites.

The only issue with that, is that they won’t even have a chance to get to know who you are. They will skip out entirely. People don’t realize we can also work within their budgets if they are transparent with us. If there is no opportunity for face to face dialogue, zoom, face-time, in person, or just a phone call, then neither party knows what their options are.

The convenience of ghosting, allows them the freedom to not face harder conversations. But opportunities are definitely missed for all future events in the absence of trust. If we continue to hold everyone to a standard of doing business, we have a chance at a different future, otherwise, ghosting will remain the norm.