I have, actually. And, I think the way you expressed it to us in this forum is exactly the tone and language that works well to communicate your reality to the client.

I have used wording very similar to that in the past, expressing that the amount of time it's requiring on my end to produce an article that is satisfactory on their end is a sign that we are not the best "Client/Writer" fit. I thank them graciously for the work I've been able to do for them thus far and let them know there are a plethora of eager Zerys writers who will make for a better match when they throw new auditions on the board.

Ironically, two times when I did that - I ended up getting offers from them to work at a way higher rate, and they totally backed off on the "labor intensive" front. However, even if that doesn't happen - it's still SUCH a relieve to not have the "sinking gut feeling" while working on a piece or communicating with a client.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!!!

I agree with Carrie - I have also found that when I explain to a client when we don't "fit," they will try to make it work. I try to remember that non-writers don't always understand the writer's side of the equation. If you don't like working for them at all, I think what you said in your post, added in with Carrie's thoughts on assuring them they'll find another great writer here, is fine.

Great discussion! Carrie, I think your advice is perfect. In these situations, you could nicely explain why you think it's not a fit anymore. If you're very nice and professional and gracious about it, you make it very difficult for them to be upset with you. This is sort of a mixture of "kill 'em with kindness" and the "takeaway". It forces them to think about how they're treating you and managing the project, and often times will make them realize they need to improve - and will make them want to work with you even more!

Hi, this is something I've been puzzling over also. I had the same challenge with software writing so I think it's universal. The biggest challenge is probably what people have already mentioned, lack of understanding each other's challenges. This kind of platform, of course, provides limited visibility but the concepts are usually similar. Article buyers can be extremely busy, whether bulk buyers or professionals trying to DIY an online presence. Then there's the method of evaluation, and even with highly technical software I found it often comes down to "feelings." Or, an editor is handling language, but doesn't really know the field enough to judge. So, rewrites can be based on really puzzling issues, and communication devolves from there. I, too, have gotten "foreigner!" or similar when I wrote in too-stilted language, but that's from my "foreign" life at an Ivy League school. Sometimes the client sounds offended by these issues, which I guess is just frustration. Calm, caring, and confident is what I try to be in responding, but it takes energy from me that robs from my writing. My sympathies and thanks for this thread!

Although this thread is a bit old, I thought I would chime in my two cents in case someone down the line might find it helpful.