You may find that developing a template can help—checklists are so useful in freelancing! You don’t necessarily show the template to the client, although some people do.

if you need to have certain information to do the job right, then you need that information. There’s nothing wrong with asking questions.

The fact that you know your limits and understand that different genres and different skill levels require different editorial approaches does more to cement your expertise than does taking on projects you have no chance of successfully completing. . . .

Maybe the person who has approached you writes in a genre you don’t edit or requires expertise you can’t supply. Give a referral to another editor if you can.

I’m not trying to convert everyone into a client. I am trying to find the potential clients who will be a good match, and this does it for me.

These are not your potential clients and it is best to move them along. Over the years, I’ve found the easiest way to get them out of my hair is to send a boilerplate email: “Here’s what I do and here’s generally what it costs.

(More trustworthy: “I see a lot of info-dumping when I edit. Here’s how to avoid it . . . .”)

setting a good example by meeting all of your agreements makes it harder for clients to rationalize their own bad behavior.

be open and honest about any problems and concerns. Do what you say you’re going to do and admit it if you can’t.