Accepting Projects You Don’t Know How to Complete

Let's talk about something we've all faced at some point in our business: that moment when a shiny new project lands in your inbox, and you're not quite sure if you can pull it off. Should you go for it? Or should you play it safe?

It's all about knowing the rules so you can break them… strategically.

The Temptation of the Unknown

A potential client reaches out to you with a project that's something you haven't done before. Maybe you specialize in blog writing and they need a white paper. Or a client is looking for content planning or a full content strategy and you've never done either. What do you do?

First things first, take a deep breath. We've all been there, and it's totally normal to feel a mix of excitement and terror. The key is figuring out whether this is a golden opportunity or a potential disaster waiting to happen.

When to Take the Leap (and When to Look Before You Leap)

Green Light: Skill-Adjacent Projects

Let's say you're a whiz at writing blog posts, and a client approaches you about crafting a white paper. You've never done it before, but you know your way around research and long-form content. This, my friend, is what we call a skill-adjacent project.

Go for it if:

• You understand the underlying concepts of effective writing and research
• You're confident in your ability to adapt your style quickly
• The project timeline allows for a learning curve
• You're upfront with the client about your experience level

Remember, every content marketing guru was once a newbie. Taking on projects that stretch your writing skills is how you grow. Just be honest about where you're at, and most clients will appreciate your enthusiasm to learn.

Remember, though, that a white paper is different from a blog in some pretty big ways, and it's a higher value offering. Your client has more to lose if a white paper bombs than they do if a blog is ignored.

That means you need to up-level your experience pretty quickly. You can't just throw something together and call it a white paper. You actually need to do some research into white papers to make sure you are giving your client what they need.

Yellow Light: The “I Think I Can” Zone

Now, let's say you're that same blog post pro, and someone asks you to create a full-fledged video script and storyboard. Whoa there, Shakespeare! This is what we call the “I think I can” zone. It's not impossible, but it's a big leap.

Proceed with caution if:

• You have some foundational knowledge (like storytelling and structuring narratives)
• You're willing to invest significant time in learning visual storytelling techniques
• The client understands it's new territory for you
• You have a support network or resources to help you understand video production basics

In these cases, it's crucial to have an honest conversation with the client. Explain that while you're excited about the project, it will require additional learning on your part. If they're open to that (and maybe a longer timeline), it could be a fantastic opportunity to expand your content creation toolkit. Just know that you might need to pay an expert to walk you through the process.

Red Light: The “Nope, Not Yet” Scenario

Alright, let's push it even further. You're our blog writing wizard, and suddenly a Fortune 500 company calls. They want you to ghostwrite their CEO's memoir, complete with in-depth financial analysis and industry predictions. Houston, we have a problem.

Hit the brakes if:

• The project requires specialized knowledge or skills you don't have (like corporate finance or industry-specific insights, or ghostwriting)
• There's a high risk of damaging the client's reputation if not done expertly
• The timeline is tight and doesn't allow for extensive research and interviews
• The stakes are too high (like influencing stock prices or company valuation or a significant loss of reputation)

In these cases, it's okay—and in fact, professional—to say no. Recommend a more experienced ghostwriter or suggest that the client needs a team of specialists. Your reputation is worth more than any single project.

The Fine Art of Pushing Your Boundaries

So, how do you know when it's okay to stretch yourself? Here are some tips to help you navigate those murky waters:

1. Assess the Gap: Be honest about the distance between your current skills and what the project requires. A shift in tone or format? Go for it. A complete change in medium or expertise? Maybe not.
2. Consider the Stakes: Is this a low-risk project where you can experiment? Or is it a high-profile project that could make or break a brand's reputation?
3. Time is Your Friend (or Enemy): Do you have the luxury of time to research, draft, and refine your work? Do you have time to consult with an expert to close the skill gap? Or is the deadline so tight you'll be sweating?
4. Be Transparent: Always, always, always be upfront with your client about your experience level. Say something like, “This is a new project type that I'm adding to my services. I'm confident I can complete it and you'll be satisfied.” Most clients appreciate honesty and are often willing to work with a writer eager to tackle new challenges.
5. Have a Backup Plan: If you're venturing into new territory, have a more experienced pro on speed dial. Sometimes, just knowing you have support can give you the confidence to try. And if you find you honestly can't do the project, they may consult with you and walk you through it step-by-step. Just be prepared to pay them for their knowledge and guidance.
6. Start Small: If you're itching to break into a new area of content creation, try offering it as an add-on to existing clients first. It's a lower-risk way to build your portfolio.

The Payoff

Here's the thing: if you never push yourself, you'll never grow. Some of the most successful freelancers/business owners I know got where they are by taking calculated risks and learning on the job.

Take my friend Sarah, for example. She was a lifestyle blogger who took on a project creating a series of technical how-to guides—something she'd never done before. She was upfront with the client, put in extra hours to learn the subject matter, and not only delivered great content but also added a valuable skill to her repertoire.

Or consider Steph, a content writer who accepted a project to create a content strategy for a new client who also wanted her to write a significant amount of content. She consulted with me and I walked her through the process of researching and developing a content strategy. In the end, she discovered a lucrative niche she never knew she'd enjoy.

Know Yourself and Your Skills

At the end of the day, knowing when to take on a challenging project comes down to self-awareness. Be honest about your skills, your capacity to learn, and your limits. It's okay to be ambitious, but it's also okay to say no to projects that are too far out of reach.

Remember, your goal isn't just to make money—it's to build a sustainable business. That means taking on projects that help you grow, but also knowing when to pass on opportunities that could damage your reputation or stress you out beyond belief.

So go ahead, push those boundaries. Just make sure you're not pushing them off a cliff. Your future self (and your happy clients) will thank you.

Now, I'd love to hear from you! Have you ever taken on a project that was just outside your comfort zone? How did it go? Share your stories in the comments—let's learn from each other's adventures (and misadventures).