Handling Rejection

“I really wish I was less of a thinking man
and more of a fool not afraid of rejection.”
– Billy Joel, singer/songwriter

In Issue #170

Editor’s Note: No one likes being rejected. But underneath every rejection is usually a great lesson. Today’s essay from Tina Harlan tells a painful, but all-too-common experience that has happened along the way to every successful copywriter. The truth is, you won’t get every project, and you’re not a good fit for every client. And sometimes, when someone rejects you, they’re doing you a favor. Speaking of getting clients, this is your last chance to grab the limited time special offer for CP readers only from Accelerated Training Services to take their Getting Clients program for half price. Read on for details…

Handling Rejection
by Tina Harlan

I’ve been a writer and editor for more than 20 years, working with marketing, corporate, and technical communications. While I don’t pretend to be the writer of choice for flashy agency copy, I can do a pretty decent job with business communications that range from marketing collateral to user guides to white papers. I’m also a Certified Professional Resume Writer and get paid to help others find jobs.

Recently, in looking for additional work to even out cash flow, I found a posting for a high tech white paper writer that was particularly interesting. With benefits, expense reimbursement, and full telecommuting, it seemed perfect. After all, I enjoy writing white papers, and I have a strong interest in technology. My resume and samples apparently impressed the company owner, who contacted me for a telephone interview.

We spoke initially and scheduled a follow-up interview to give him a chance to take a closer look at my samples. When we talked the next day, I could sense his interest had cooled a bit, but I was still confident that it was a good match and that I could do the work. He, in turn, proposed a couple of writing tests to determine my fitness to join his firm. He asked me to interview him on a technical subject of his choosing, write that up using his style guidelines, and rewrite the opening page of one of my samples, again following his style.

I thought his requests were fair, and I spent a number of hours that weekend working on the projects. I actually felt quite good about them when I sent them off on Sunday, simply because I knew I had put in the time and energy and done the best I could. You can probably guess by now that I was setting myself up for a huge disappointment.

It arrived late Monday evening in the form of an e-mail with my samples attached – and my egregious errors highlighted with Word’s track changes feature. It seems I had not done an adequate job of following the seven-page style guide, and as a result, the owner thought it best that we not pursue a working relationship.

Even though I’m old enough and experienced enough to know that not everyone is going to like my writing style, I was crushed. In this case, he objected to my use of  conversational verbs and less formal writing style. He had a preference for writing in the third-person, which I almost never do.

And here’s the kicker: Even though I was using a much more formal style in those two tests than usual, I still failed to meet his expectations. And where I still think I turned in good work, he acted like I was a terrible writer.

While it was hard to not take it personally and let it get me down, in a few days I realized that even such a painful and disappointing experience contained several valuable lessons. So I thought I’d share them with you:

Finally, never underestimate the power of positive reinforcement. Everyone gets rejected now and then. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad writer, or you’re not going to make it. But it might mean the client wasn’t right for you. In fact, it could be a blessing. While it may seem trite to say “look on the bright side” – it’s really the best way to navigate these situations. 

To keep your spirits and motivation up even when little things like this threaten to get you down, keep in touch with other writers. Continue to improve your skills with classes from AWAI and local colleges. And find the lesson in every setback. Even better, share it with others, like I have with you today. It will transform your personal disappointment into advice that benefits everyone. Not to mention, you’ll feel a heck of a lot better about it and ready to meet the next opportunity.

Tina is an experienced writer/editor who can convince and persuade, elicit and analyze information, and create appropriate, clear, and concise marketing, corporate, and technical communications. She can also whip up one heck of a resume. Check out her website www.wordsthatworkcom.com.

Resource Referral: Getting Clients Just Got Cheaper and Easier

After talking with several CP readers who are right on the verge of starting their freelance careers, something big was holding them back. Their ability to find and land clients. So I called up my friend Scott Rempe at Accelerated Training Services. I told him I thought the Getting Clients program was more important than ever and asked him when the next one was scheduled so I could refer our readers his way. That’s when I learned they didn’t have another one currently scheduled. 

“C’mon,” I said. “This is the number one need of new copywriters. They need to start making money as soon as possible. They need clients. And they’ll do it that much faster if they have a proven approach to getting them.”

“Of course,” Scott agreed. “But…the economy. People are spooked.”

I had a solution…but I wasn’t sure he’d go for it. Lucky for you, and me, he did.

“Schedule a Getting Clients program and offer it to Copy Protégé readers for half off.” Honestly, I wasn’t sure he’d go for it. But I figured it didn’t hurt to ask. And lo and behold…he agreed!

So, please, don’t let this one pass you by. Scott is closing the window on this deal on Monday – and you must sign up through this link to get the deal, or tell them on the phone that you are a CP reader if you call. It was such a last minute, spur of the moment decision, the copy you’ll click to has the original price! You won’t see the new price until you click to the order device. But trust me, you’re getting half off what the promotion says.

This program wasn’t developed until after I was already in business. But I can tell you, if it had been, I wouldn’t have hesitated to take it. I’ve watched so many people try to reinvent the wheel when getting started. You lose so much precious time and money doing it the hard way when it’s just not necessary. The process of getting clients is so much simpler when you follow a proven system.

Check out the ATS Getting Clients program. And take Scott up on this special offer. It could be just the thing to take your passion for making a career change…and turning it into a steady stream of income.  

Quick Marketing Tip: Stop Waiting to Work

Waiting is bad energy. Doing is good energy. So if you’re waiting – for clients, to hear back about a spec assignment, to finish the course and be ready to start marking your services – stop. Start doing instead.

Everyone has a friend or two who has a small business. In my case, my best friend was launching her chiropractic practice just as I was launching my freelance business. So I helped her start up her weekly email letter, write her first space ad, and come up with brochure copy. And that was the start of my client list. Krista took that idea and magnified it. Her partner was selling ads for a directory – so she always had Krista’s business cards handy. And when she sold an ad to a small business, she let them know that if they needed a copywriter to help them with their ad, she knew someone. Voila. Krista was kept busy with local clients – and earning some money – while she was training and preparing herself to catch the bigger fish.

Sit down now and make a list – friends, family, local stores where you shop, your dentist – you might be surprised to discover how many possible clients you have right at your fingertips.