Resilience.
The freelancer's most important skill
Part of a new series of posts highlighting some top tips from The Feisty Freelancer!
Even experienced freelancers need pep talks. I recently spoke with a writer who'd been freelancing for years but was still shaken by losing two clients. Resilience isn't something you master once—it's a skill you practice constantly. Here’s how I do it:
Reframe rejection:
It's rarely about you personally
Editors are swamped with pitches and proposals
Timing matters more than talent in many cases
"Not a fit" doesn't mean "not good enough"
Consider the editor's perspective: Put yourself in their shoes. They're dealing with:
Dozens of pitches weekly
Tight deadlines and budget constraints
Changing priorities and editorial directions
Limited time to respond to everyone
When resilience dips:
Take time to focus on current positive projects
Remind yourself of past successes
Consider whether you need a short break from pitching
Talk to other freelancers who understand the ups and downs
Practical self-talk: Instead of "They must hate my work," try:
"They're probably too busy to respond right now"
"Maybe this isn't the right fit, but the next one might be"
"Should I follow up in a few weeks?"
Remember: Rejection accumulates, but so does acceptance. The key is persistence without taking things personally. Your next yes might be just one pitch away.
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So true, Sue. I was talking to my students in the MFA in Creative Nonfiction program here in Halifax the other day about how, as a writer, you rely on Luck, Talent, & Resiliance (which includes tenacity). Some are born with more talent than others as writers -- we can't control that -- but few people can't learn & improve & if they work hard enough, make a living at it. You can control luck, to an extent, by putting yourself into situations where you'll meet writers & editors, raise your profile within that world. And, of course, you can control resiliance.