“I don’t know” is a phrase most freelancers avoid saying to their clients at all costs.
Better to lie than to admit you don’t know…
Right???
The problem:
A client asks you something on a call that you don’t know the answer to so you bluff.
The benefit of solving it:
You build trust with the client and don’t have to pretend to be all-knowing.
Why what you've tried has failed:
Bluffing hurts your credibility with the client.
Only one reaction shows real expertise (and builds trust at the same time)…
Here's how to solve it:
Say those 3 little words too many freelancers avoid:
“I don’t know.”
Then commit to finding out →
"Let me look into that and get back to you tomorrow"
This is a refreshing response when 99% of people are afraid to admit they don’t know and default to bluffing.
You didn’t bullshit them when you could have.
That transparency builds trust…
With potential clients and long-term clients alike.
Plus the follow up is a legit reason to be in their inbox with something that’s actually useful.
You deliver what you said you would, when you would.
Confirming what they were already starting to believe about you on the call…
You’re legit, trustworthy, and someone they want to work with.
If the thought of saying I don’t know feels risky, it usually means the way you've positioned yourself →
When you position your value as your judgment, admitting you don’t know an answer doesn't threaten anything…
Because what you're selling is what you do with that judgement.
Get my help fine tuning your position (and all the benefits that trickle down from it) inside The Freelancing Program →
Best,
Jamie
P.S. The follow-up email after a discovery call is one of the most underused tools in freelancing.
Use the opportunity to build trust and deliver on something specific you promised during the call.
For freelancers that want to fill their client pipeline & earn more consistently:
→ Build a $10K+/month freelancing business with my proven 3-pillar system inside The Freelancing Program ($59/month).
→ Get the competitive edge with daily templates, frameworks, and freelance market intel from Workforce 3.0 ($4.99/month).
→ Hit your freelancing goals this year with a customized, step-by-step game plan that we’ll create during a focused 1:1 coaching session ($750) with me.
