Professional Boundaries: How Oversharing Can Harm Your Relationship With Clients

When you think of branding, what comes to mind? For many, you may think of marketing and big companies. However, branding isn’t just for companies. 

For freelancers, your personal brand can play a big role in your current and future success. As you seek more work and new opportunities, the brand you build will make finding those opportunities either easier or more challenging. 

Part of building a brand includes building relationships; however, in building those relationships, it is possible to cross lines and overshare. This can harm your personal brand and reputation. 

That’s why having professional boundaries is imperative. Keep reading to learn more about setting those boundaries and what constitutes oversharing. 

How Can Oversharing Hurt You as a Freelancer? 

Before we dive into the details, let’s dive into the crux of the matter. Sharing too much information can cause several problems when working with clients. 

Blurred Professional Boundaries

Sharing too much information can blur professional boundaries. These boundaries are imperative because they ensure we can maintain a good relationship with clients while having a boundary between work and personal life. 

Awkward Conversations

Sometimes oversharing can quickly veer into the world of awkward conversations. These awkward conversations can make your relationship with your client strained. 

They may worry that future conversations will quickly head into the category of awkwardness. This is going to impact your communication abilities. 

Perception Is Everything

How do you want clients to perceive you as a freelancer? 

Reliable? Knowledgeable? Good with time management? 

Other good attributes like that? 

What you share builds their perception of you. If you’re consistently sharing negative things, you’ll be viewed as a negative person. 

If you share too many details about personal issues, they may worry that those issues will prevent you from being able to get the job done. The details you share shape their perception, and that helps shape your personal brand. 

Building Authentic Relationships in a Professional Setting

Around 77 percent of consumers buy from a brand that shares their values. Why does this matter to freelancers? 

As a freelancer, your product is yourself or your service. Your personal brand matters because you want clients to trust you, hire you, and continue working with you in the future. 

Authenticity plays a huge role in today’s world. People want to interact with others who are authentic and share their values. 

Building connections or relationships with your clients can often go beyond talking about work. When you work together for a long time, you begin to interact differently and share pieces of your life. 

However, there is such a thing as oversharing. While building relationships can strengthen your relationship with your client, oversharing can harm your relationship. That’s where knowing the difference between building a connection and oversharing comes in. 

Building a Connection vs. Oversharing

There’s a lot of data out there today that talks about authenticity and vulnerability in the workplace. How we communicate and connect with the people we work with has changed over the years. 

However, while it’s okay to share some parts of your life, you can go too far. So, what’s okay to share, and what takes it too far? 

Do Share: Hobbies and Interests

Hobbies and interests are a great way to connect. This is especially true if the other party shares the same interests as you. 

However, you should be selective about what hobbies and interests you share. Don’t share any that may hurt your client’s perception of you or that might be considered inappropriate to share in a professional setting. 

Do Share: Your Goals and Dreams

Sharing your goals and dreams can help your clients better understand you and your passions. If your goal is to build your own business as a top-notch freelancer, share it! 

This is a great place to connect as well. It gives you the opportunity to discuss not only your goals and dreams but your client’s goals and dreams. 

People like to talk about themselves, and when you give your client the opportunity to do so, it helps build that relationship. 

Be Cautious Sharing: Life Events

We get it; we’re all human, and life happens. Sometimes there will be times you need to take off, or there will be times when you need a break to deal with personal issues. 

However, there’s a thin line here that’s really easy to cross. You can quickly find yourself oversharing. 

Share only the details you need to. For example, if you need time off for health issues. It’s okay to share that you will need some time to prioritize your health; however, diving into the nitty gritty often isn’t necessary. 

Don’t Share: Gossip or Drama

If you need to spill the tea, call up your bestie, plan a coffee date, and have at it. However, when you’re talking to your client, keep it professional. 

If you just broke up with your significant other and that’s causing drama, leave it outside your professional relationships. This kind of information can lead to clients worrying that you won’t be able to focus on their projects.  

Don’t Share: Religion or Politics 

Religion and politics are polarizing topics. Many people today have a difficult time discussing these issues with people who have different views. 

Unless you need to have these conversations for professional reasons, steer clear of discussing these topics. 

Don’t Share: Partying

Would you tell your mother about your partying? Or your dad? If the answer is yes, then don’t use that example. 

Don’t tell your client about your partying. This can lead to them worrying that your extracurricular activities may impact your work. 

Tips to Ensure You’re Setting Appropriate Professional Boundaries and Not Oversharing

Okay, we’ve spent some time talking about what not to share and what’s okay to share. But that’s obviously not a comprehensive list. That’s why we have a few extra tips for you. 

Take a Moment to Think 

Before you share details about your personal life, take a moment to think. Should you really be sharing this information with this person? 

How will it impact their perception of you? Who should you share this information with? 

This is about determining whether this is the right time or place to share this information. 

Ask yourself the following questions: 

• What’s my intention in sharing this? 
• What’s the desired outcome? 
• How am I feeling emotionally right now? 
• Will the outcome of sharing this information hurt my professional reputation?

Don’t Force the Relationship

Sometimes it’s a challenge to build a relationship with a client. Maybe they’re all business. This is definitely the type of client you want to avoid oversharing with. 

If you’re sharing information solely to build a connection that’s not there, STOP. Don’t sacrifice professional boundaries and overshare because it will harm your relationship with the client. 

Focus on building your relationship by showing that you provide value through the work you do. 

Let Others Talk About Themselves

Earlier, we said that people like to talk about themselves. This has been scientifically proven, and it’s not because we’re selfish; it’s because of your actual brain response. 

When you talk about yourself, it lights up the same areas of your brain as good food and taking drugs. Basically, self-disclosure is like eating your favorite dessert. 

It’s easy to overshare when you’re trying to carry the conversation. So take the time to ask questions and listen. Build a positive relationship with your client by allowing them to talk about themselves, and save your oversharing for your best friend that already knows way too much about you. 

Build Your Personal Brand as a Freelancer With FreeUp

As a freelancer, your personal brand is a huge part of your success. The information you share or don’t share with your clients shapes their perception of you and ultimately helps shape your personal brand. 

It’s important to know what professional boundaries to set so you can build positive relationships with your clients that will propel you into a successful future. 

Are you ready to start building your personal brand as a freelancer? Join the Top 1% and see your career grow. Apply as a freelancer today.