Rejection puts hair on your chest

…or something like that.

With companies downsizing everywhere you turn, more and more people are looking into freelancing as an extra source income. However, one thing most "newbies" may not be aware of is the constant battle with rejection we, as freelancers, must face. Taking rejection personally, or not having the patience to tough it out when things slow down, can ultimately lead to your downfall.

Competition is fierce, and you don't want to get left out in the cold because your feelings got hurt.

On average, for every job you bid on and apply to, you'll get rejected for two – that's life. As freelancers, we can either learn to adapt, or go bankrupt.

It's not always about you

There are many reasons a freelancer will face rejection – often, it has nothing to do with the freelancer themselves, but with other outside influences that they don't tell you about (nor should they because it's none of your business).

Sometimes life gets in the way. Sometimes they run out of money. Sometimes they find someone else.

If you're spending hours on end trying to figure out what went wrong (or worse, hounding your buyer about it), you're wasting too much time and energy on it. Buyers are not obligated to tell you why they rejected you.

They are also not obligated to sugar-coat their reason for rejecting you, either.

So, what if it is about you?

Sometimes, you do or say something that a buyer doesn't like. Whether your cover letters aren't crafted to their liking, or your profile doesn't stand out enough, take this time to reflect on what you've done and/or can do better the next time.

• Were you under-qualified?
• Were you over-priced?
• Did you communicate properly?
• Were you succinct and to the point?
• Were you succinct to the point of not giving them enough information?
• Did you answer all of their questions?
• Did you ask them enough questions?

Whatever the case may be, don't take rejection as a slight against you. Take it as an opportunity to learn and grow from your mistakes. Keep at it until you get it right.

Sometimes it takes months before landing your first freelancing gig. Once you get the first job, getting others will be easier. Giving up, however, is not an option.

If you can't stomach the rejection notices, you aren't going to get very far in this cut-throat business…and that is the cold, hard, un-sugar-coated truth.