In any business, rejections are a fact of life. You’re going to hear the word no. You may be offering the best, most fantastic product in the world that Joe Smith desperately needs, yet Joe may say no anyways. If you’re a writer? Well, you may have pitched the best article idea ever to the editor of Awesome People Magazine. It was timely, it was flawless and it was perfect for the demographic. Guess what? The editor may very well tell you “no thanks.”

 

 

Rejections will happen but you cannot take them personally. Here are a few reasons that you should learn to love the no.

 

 

1. A rejection means you’re doing the work your business requires. You’re putting yourself out there and letting people know who you are and what you can do. If you’re NOT getting rejected you’re likely not getting an adequate number of pitches out. (Granted, maybe you ARE one of the lucky writers that have never been turned down. In which case I can only say “carry on.”

 

 

2. Rejections give you some insight into what your weaknesses may be or what adjustments you need to make to your pitches and/or article submissions. Be sure to ask for feedback when you a pitch is turned down. Feedback is critical to improvement. There will be pitches that you send where you get no response at all. In these cases maybe take a look at them and see if you see a pattern and can determine some areas that may be weak. Ask a writer or editor friend if they would mind giving you some feedback.

 

 

3. Rejections help you narrow your list of potential clients. You’re able to rule out who you may not want to work with going forward. How an editor responds to you can determine if this is the type of person that you truly want to work with. A rejection from one editor may make you available for an even better project with another.

 

 

4. Every rejection brings you one step closer to your goal. With each pitch you are perfecting technique, putting in the necessary practice hours to improve and become the best writer you can be. There will be a better opportunity around the corner.

 

 

With every rejection, remind yourself you’re in good company. You’ll be hard pressed to find a successful person that has not dealt with rejection. Take a look at some of these well known “rejects”:

 

 

l Walt Disney was told he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.”

 

 

l Elvis Presley was told by a manager after a performance at the Grand Ole Opry that he should return to his job of truck driving and had no future in music.

 

 

l Steven Spielberg was rejected from the University of Southern California School of Theater, Film and Television three times before he entered a different school and went on to become a director.

 

 

l Stephen King’s first book, Carrie was rejected 33 times. In his frustration he threw the manuscript away. His wife dug through the trash, found it and convinced him to give it one more try.

 

l Michael Jordan, who was cut from his high school basketball team once said “I have missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I have missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

 

 

Rejection is part of the equation that leads to success. So now, you know what you need to do, right? Figure out what your next pitch is. Pick up that pen, grab your laptop and start writing. Then hit “send.”

 

Start collecting those rejections proudly and know that the more you get the closer you are to the big yes!

 

 

What great rejection stories do you have? I would love to “celebrate the no’s” with each of you. Be sure to share here.

 

Christy Mossburg is a freelance writer & copywriter from Middletown, MD where she lives with her husband and two teen-age children. You can read more of her musings on life at www.simplychristy.com or check out her writer website at www.christymossburg.com.

 

Bursting on the Internet a scene a while ago now, you were starry-eyed and full of vision, determined to make a difference in the world. You shared your story and invited us to tag along with you on your journey. You hustled long and hard, finally making a name for yourself. Handing out promises like you were running for student body president, you swore things would change for the better if we only supported your cause.

 

You repeatedly asked for our input. We shared our hopes and dreams with you. We shared your posts with those we know and bought your courses and other services. But recently, we’ve started to notice a disturbing change in your message and it’s aimed directly at us.

 

It appears we are wearing you down with our constant attention-seeking. We are annoying you with our endless questions and requests for advice. What we write on our blogs sucks to you. And you’re quick to point out how much better you are than us because you make more money than we do. Um, hello? Where do you think you are making the money from?

 

It’s our fault, really. We have placed you on a pedestal and it appears the power is going to your head. It would seem you want us to remain silent until you feel the need to have us open our wallets for your next product or course. And it really grinds my gears.

 

We respect your hustle. We really do. You wouldn’t have built up such a massive audience without it. And deep down inside I believe you still care about us and want the best for those who are following in your footsteps.

 

The problem lies in the false assumptions you have been making recently. No one is perfect. We are all bound to make mistakes from time to time. But before you go pointing fingers at your audience, it might help to take a few moments and look in the mirror first.

 

Allow me to share a few of the mistakes that I think you’re making. (Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong in my assumptions. I have never claimed to know it all, and I’d be happy to learn a thing or two.)

 

Money does not determine a writer’s value or seriousness.

 

Not every writer is in it for the money. Some of us just want to share our thoughts and ideas with the world and use day jobs to support us while we do. There’s nothing wrong with that. Stop tearing us down because we don’t make our money solely from writing or make it seem our writing is “less than” because we support ourselves in other ways.

 

It doesn’t mean our writing sucks or is less valuable because it doesn’t make large amounts of cash. I deeply appreciate the posts of many writers who never made a dime yet from their writing. They sacrificed their time to share something beyond value to make an inspirational difference in my life.

 

That doesn’t mean that they won’t become massive sensations later on. We all need to grow at our own pace. Some people aren’t ready to handle the pressures of fame and fortune. It’s no reflection on their seriousness as a writer.

 

Stop the intimidation, bullying, and sensationalism.

 

As teachers, you have the power to build or destroy. When you call out the embarrassing mistakes of other writers with specific concrete examples, you are purposely destroying the dreams of another person through public humiliation. It isn’t hard for those of us who want to know who you are talking about to find out that information.

 

I’ve heard the horror stories of some of the shameful things you’ve done. Publicly shaming a writer’s work on blog posts and ridiculing on webinars, and I’ve been forwarded those awful nasty emails you sent.

 

Perhaps you are right in the opinion that their work is terrible. But in the end, what have you accomplished really? It’s hard enough to overcome the natural doubt and rejection we already feel as writers. Why add to that?

 

It doesn’t make you look good at all. So why do you insist on giving others an awful impression of you as a condescending know-it-all with a huge penchant for drama-seeking attention? It’s okay to show me what I am doing wrong. You just don’t have to approach it in a condescending way. You were in my place at one point in time. Were you treated that way?

 

Now you may be getting the impression that I feel this way about all the big names out there (or that I’m being a whiny, arrogant douche). Let me assure you that is far from the truth. There are plenty A-Listers who are not acting this way. In fact, some have been making stellar moves that I personally hope trend long into the future.

 

They treat their readers as a community of friends instead of potential sales conversions.

 

We know you need to make a living and deserve to get paid. But sometimes we just don’t have it to give. But we do have the potential to help you in other ways. And the true rock star A-Listers keep that in mind at all times.

 

When you don’t pressure your audience to hand over money with every interaction you have them, it makes you all the more endearing. I may not have the money for your product right now, but there is a writer in a group I know that could use what you have to offer. But I’m less likely to share you with him or her if all I see from you is constant requests to buy, buy, buy.

 

Please keep in mind the joint ventures you have with others as well. You aren’t the only A-Lister I’m subscribed to. If all 10 or so of you send me the same message in my inbox about how I desperately need this new course you are offering, be aware that I have now tuned you out.

 

They fuel your engines and make your engines purr.

 

Instead of belittling your flaws, they inspire you to take action despite the imperfection. They know that your writing doesn’t have to be perfect. The journey to success is taking one small step at a time. What matters most is that your writing strikes a genuine human emotional connection with others. Resonate right with your audience and you’ll have followers for life. The rest is just added bonus.

 

Treat me like a friend and I’ll introduce you to mine. Remind me how much you care for me. Treat me with respect and I’ll do the same. Make me proud to share you with my friends. Encourage me and lift me up. I’m watching you. Don’t let me down.

 

What are your thoughts? Do you agree or disagree? Share your thoughts below.