Business ghosting is frustrating, and if you’ve ever wondered how to handle it, you’re not alone. It turns out ‘ghosting’ isn’t just for dating. A client enquiry that vanishes, a trade who never sends the quote, a DM left on read.
This post unpacks why it happens, how to stop wasting time, and the best way to respond.
Why is ghosting a thing?
Is it new? Do other people think it’s rude and annoying too? Does technology just make it really easy to ignore people? The term “ghosting” became mainstream about eleven years ago alongside the surge in online dating; it became an official entry in the Merriam-Webster dictionary in 2017.
Ghosting may have originated in the realm of online dating – but it’s morphed into business.
“[Ghosting is] Basically, any business situation in which an (even mildly) uncomfortable situation is dealt with by simply opting out of normal civil conversation.” Charles H Green.
For me, specifically, getting no response to an email makes my blood boil. I always respond to emails, so I kinda expect people to respond to mine…
First off, we’d better set some parameters! I’m not talking about responding to unsolicited email, although, I have to say, I do reply to every request for a placement, work experience or a job. I have a very simple template and have no issues saying “no, not right now” if that’s the case.
I don’t respond to people selling me door mats, advertising space in their magazine, or telling me that my website is crap and can be improved. Rude. To be fair, most of these land in my junk, but the few that make it into my inbox get deleted without opening.
Common examples of business ghosting
- Direct questions or requests for advice in your social dms which, when replied to by you, get no “thank you” nor acknowledgement.
- Interior Design client enquiries who just disappear into thin air having expressed an interest in your services.
- Trades who visit site, and then fail to produce a quote, resorting to ‘radio silence’ and becoming completely unresponsive.
Have we stopped respecting other people’s time? Is it just bad manners? Or in this digital world, are messages getting lost in the noise – are people drowning under the volume of email and messages?
Maybe, but I also think we might have lost the ability to have (what we perceive to be) difficult or awkward conversations. We’re afraid of offending. I’d suggest a lot of people struggle saying “no”.
How to minimise business ghosting and handle it better
Unfortunately, you can’t make it stop – as you have no control over others behaviour.
Here are my tips for minimising this happening to you and how to deal with it.
- If you have a particularly high driver of non-responsive inbound enquiries (such as your website, a networking group, or a social media platform) review how to minimise these time wasters.
- This could look like FAQs or pricing on your website, an intake form, or better education in networking groups on the sorts of leads you’re looking for.
- One way to reduce business ghosting and handle it more effectively is by setting clear response expectations in your emails and proposals. Tell the recipient what you expect from them and by when i.e.
- “I’d love to work with you on this project. I understand you’re speaking to another designer too, so it would be helpful to know by next Friday on your decision so I can open up the design diary for other clients.”
- One follow-up email only. There will be circumstances where an email was missed first time around – but any more than one is not worth it.
- N.B. if you are deep into a client project and get ghosted, or are owed money, that’s different. In this case, try a different form of communication such as phoning!
- Build relationships. Helpful if your issue is with trades and suppliers. The better someone knows you (the more skin in the game), the less likely they are to ignore you.
- Learn to let it go. This one is tough, but it’s best just to move on and redirect your energy elsewhere. Remember, a potential customer who ghosts you at the beginning of your business relationship is unlikely to make for a good client.
Just some notes – in case you’re guilty of ghosting too (strictly business!)
It depends on why you might be ghosting someone, but…
- If you need more time to respond or consider something – let them know, or ask them to follow up with you in the future if you have too much on your plate right now. Don’t just leave them hanging.
- If it’s a definite “no” – just say it, gracefully. If you have a valid reason and feel comfortable sharing that’s great – most of us appreciate constructive feedback – but you don’t owe people an explanation. Try these:
- “No, this wouldn’t be of interest to me”.
- “Thanks for thinking of me, but I don’t wish to go ahead”.
- “Thank you, but no”.
- Hearing ‘no’ or ‘not right now’ might be disappointing at first, but most people would rather have clarity than be left waiting. Send a response – emails lurking in your email inbox can be a huge distraction and energy drain.
- If your issue is that you’re genuinely overwhelmed by the volume of email then I’d suggest a clean slate. If you have even 1000 unread emails, you’re not going to read all of them – get them deleted and start again – here’s a how-to for Gmail and a how-to for Outlook email. Every day or week, make a practice of unsubscribing to emails you don’t want to receive any more.
If you found this article helpful, make sure you’re subscribed to my newsletter for more practical business insights for interior designers. You might also enjoy reading about How to handle mistakes with your Interior Design Clients.
A few ways I can help, depending on what you need right now:
I’m Lisa Honiball, Business Coach & Mentor. I provide calm business guidance to established Interior Designers.
Not sure where to start?
Book a free Clarity Call and we’ll quickly figure out what’s going on in your business and what kind of support will help most.
Need to fix or move forward on one specific area?
A Power Hour gives you focused 1:1 time to get unstuck, make decisions, and leave with a clear plan.
Want your income to feel more consistent and predictable?
Sales Lab shows you what’s really driving your enquiries and client wins, so you can focus on what works, drop what doesn’t, and build a steadier flow of client projects & income.
Feel like you’re working hard but not seeing the results?
The CALM Reset is a six-session private coaching experience to realign your business, build momentum, and move forward without burnout.
