As a freelancer, I maintain an "email-only" policy for new clients. It says so very clearly on the contact form: I don't do phone consultations for new clients.

As a freelancer, I maintain an "email-only" policy for new clients. It says so very clearly on the contact form: I don't do phone consultations for new clients. Even so, every once in a while I get people who use the contact form and demand that I call them back. I politely respond, obviously by email, that I don't do phone consultations for new clients. I rarely hear back from them. Good riddance; I've learned from experience that people who demand synchronous communication from the start tend to be the worst clients. They always want other people to cater to their needs right now, like an obnoxious boss. People who are comfortable with email, on the other hand, are at least a little accustomed to waiting a few minutes for a reply.