Thank you for sharing your experience and to know it's been so useful and insightful for you.
A few thoughts:
- speaking as someone who makes cold approaches and has sold sponsorships, it's the hardest, hardest thing to get over the line. Your response rate is MAGNIFICENT. You should be proud.
- the no's and the silences can feel personal, but of course, they very rarely are.
- it's a tough world out there at present. Business and people alike are paying more attention than ever to expenditure. Many of us are in survival mode. But the seasons of economics will roll past, and being in the frame for the long haul, not the quick win, is more important now than ever. In my professional word, it's taking months, even years in cases, to get new business over the line. We're all exercising caution and for good reason.
- no is always a hard response to absorb, especially when it's to something we pour ourself into. Yes can be equally as difficult, sometimes, as it brings with it the pressure to satisfy. That's why it's good for us as humans to walk through the valley between, learning to deal with both as they fall from the hillsides, at our feet. It helps us become more balanced versions of ourselves.
I'm conscious I've gone on far longer than I intended, so I'll stop now 😄
Perhaps I need to update my post and clarify what the opportunities I went for actually were. I only approached one sponsor, for example, the rest were invitations for collaboration, pitches to appear on podcasts or write for publications (being paid for two of those pitches was a surprise), and many were invitations for others to join me in bringing a side project to life.
I hear you on the new business front though. With some opportunities, it’s definitely a slow burn. My clients often get in touch months before they’re ready to begin 💛
Throughly enjoyed your post Sarah, I’ve been intrigued as to how your journey has been and find your reflections very inspiring. The silence is hard to take some days but picking up your vibration and moving forward, keeping yourself open I’ve found brings the biggest surprises. But it takes grit for sure. A wonderful inspiring read, thank you so much for sharing. Excited to see what your 24 will bring you xx
I loved reading this. I only discovered you yesterday. What courage that took to undertake such a task and how enlightening it must have been. Not necessarily from the responses or lack of, where they occurred, but from your own determination and those little glimmers of insight you got when you felt that opportunity wouldn't be right for you anyway.
I am stuck in a stagnant place and want to progress. Your experiment gives me courage to try something new. I don't have the resilience for 30 days but perhaps I could split that into 10 day segments.
Thank you for the inspiration! Sorry for the long reply!
Long replies are the best. I’m not here for small talk!
Oh that feeling of stuckness is hard. I definitely think the rejection challenge stirred something in me. It shifted my perspective and made me more determined to experiment.
10 day segments sounds. I won’t lie...I was emotionally pooped by the end!
I truly think it's definitely something to try. It's hard to put yourself out there, out of your comfort zone but that's where wonderful things can happen. Maybe not today or tomorrow but it's putting a message out there that you're open and willing isn't it.
Such an inspiring post Sarah. I am trying to garner the courage to begin my own journey to become a little braver. I always think about it as moving from dreaming to doing. My word for this year is Collaborate and of course to collaborate I need to reach out and face my fear of being rejected. Thank you for sharing your story.
This is wonderful. In March of 2022 I began querying literary agents, which is a road absolutely LITTERED with rejection. Lots of nos and so many silences. But it taught me a lot, too. For example, that I am persistent. I work hard. I don't give up. And two weeks before the end of 2023, I got my agent offer ;)
Alignment played heavily in my mind as I collected my rejections. I love your perspective on this, thank you!
Wow! Congratulations! What a way to close 2023. I’m writing a book and I’m incredibly nervous about the process of putting myself out there. It feels very personal to me. So your story gives me hope and heart 💛
Oh good! I’m excited for you! There are a ton of resources out there for querying authors. Reach out if you want me to share some with you! Good luck! ✨🙏🏽
Love this reflective and insightful piece Sarah. Rejections can be so uncomfortable but when we remind ourselves that they are not really personal and so many factors play a role in a no, we can move on much faster or feel less like a failure and more like we have a raincoat on and the no’s run down our coat like water and not reach our heart.
I get a lot of rejections in my day to day, it’s kind of party of my job. I see them more as invitations to rethink and pivot and embrace the challenges.
Key for me has been to hold myself and my nervous system through these well
I have a lot of respect for anyone who experiences rejection on a daily basis. My nervous system needed tending to after 30 days, but it was a good experience. I find the reframe of it as an invitation really helpful. Thanks for sharing that!
💕 yesss and well feel safer and safer as our nervous system relaxes and we know how to hold ourselves and not take things personally. I’m still learning too and love that you challenged yourself for 30 days with such fantastic results xx
Wow, Sarah! You are a total powerhouse! Congratulations on such a productive, energised and focused November. As others have said, the silence is often worse than a hard 'no'. Limbo keeps hope alive and minds whirring... Can't wait to hear more about your successful pitches!
Thank you for sharing your experience and to know it's been so useful and insightful for you.
A few thoughts:
- speaking as someone who makes cold approaches and has sold sponsorships, it's the hardest, hardest thing to get over the line. Your response rate is MAGNIFICENT. You should be proud.
- the no's and the silences can feel personal, but of course, they very rarely are.
- it's a tough world out there at present. Business and people alike are paying more attention than ever to expenditure. Many of us are in survival mode. But the seasons of economics will roll past, and being in the frame for the long haul, not the quick win, is more important now than ever. In my professional word, it's taking months, even years in cases, to get new business over the line. We're all exercising caution and for good reason.
- no is always a hard response to absorb, especially when it's to something we pour ourself into. Yes can be equally as difficult, sometimes, as it brings with it the pressure to satisfy. That's why it's good for us as humans to walk through the valley between, learning to deal with both as they fall from the hillsides, at our feet. It helps us become more balanced versions of ourselves.
I'm conscious I've gone on far longer than I intended, so I'll stop now 😄
Thanks so much for those insights, Belinda!
Perhaps I need to update my post and clarify what the opportunities I went for actually were. I only approached one sponsor, for example, the rest were invitations for collaboration, pitches to appear on podcasts or write for publications (being paid for two of those pitches was a surprise), and many were invitations for others to join me in bringing a side project to life.
I hear you on the new business front though. With some opportunities, it’s definitely a slow burn. My clients often get in touch months before they’re ready to begin 💛
thank you for the clarification! Those are all hard eggs to crack in different ways, so your success stats remain a thing of pride ❤️
That’s so kind, thank you, Belinda!
Throughly enjoyed your post Sarah, I’ve been intrigued as to how your journey has been and find your reflections very inspiring. The silence is hard to take some days but picking up your vibration and moving forward, keeping yourself open I’ve found brings the biggest surprises. But it takes grit for sure. A wonderful inspiring read, thank you so much for sharing. Excited to see what your 24 will bring you xx
Ahh “picking up your vibration”...yes! Love that. Thanks for reading and always supporting lovely lady 💛
I loved reading this. I only discovered you yesterday. What courage that took to undertake such a task and how enlightening it must have been. Not necessarily from the responses or lack of, where they occurred, but from your own determination and those little glimmers of insight you got when you felt that opportunity wouldn't be right for you anyway.
I am stuck in a stagnant place and want to progress. Your experiment gives me courage to try something new. I don't have the resilience for 30 days but perhaps I could split that into 10 day segments.
Thank you for the inspiration! Sorry for the long reply!
P.S. apologies for my tardy reply. I no longer get notifications on posts! Something to remedy...
Ah no worries Sarah, thank you for taking the time to reply.
Long replies are the best. I’m not here for small talk!
Oh that feeling of stuckness is hard. I definitely think the rejection challenge stirred something in me. It shifted my perspective and made me more determined to experiment.
10 day segments sounds. I won’t lie...I was emotionally pooped by the end!
I truly think it's definitely something to try. It's hard to put yourself out there, out of your comfort zone but that's where wonderful things can happen. Maybe not today or tomorrow but it's putting a message out there that you're open and willing isn't it.
10 days will be my limit I think though :)
Such an inspiring post Sarah. I am trying to garner the courage to begin my own journey to become a little braver. I always think about it as moving from dreaming to doing. My word for this year is Collaborate and of course to collaborate I need to reach out and face my fear of being rejected. Thank you for sharing your story.
Dreaming to doing! Love that, Kate. And pleased this has resonated 😀
This is wonderful. In March of 2022 I began querying literary agents, which is a road absolutely LITTERED with rejection. Lots of nos and so many silences. But it taught me a lot, too. For example, that I am persistent. I work hard. I don't give up. And two weeks before the end of 2023, I got my agent offer ;)
Alignment played heavily in my mind as I collected my rejections. I love your perspective on this, thank you!
Wow! Congratulations! What a way to close 2023. I’m writing a book and I’m incredibly nervous about the process of putting myself out there. It feels very personal to me. So your story gives me hope and heart 💛
Oh good! I’m excited for you! There are a ton of resources out there for querying authors. Reach out if you want me to share some with you! Good luck! ✨🙏🏽
That would be so helpful. Thank you! I'm about to start a book proposal class so hope to begin putting myself "out there" from the spring 😀
My pleasure!
To start, here are 3 of the best, and they all have Substacks to check out:
1. The Shit No One Tells You About Writing podcast: https://www.theshitaboutwriting.com/
2. Courtney Maum's book and Substack Before and After the Book Deal: https://www.courtneymaum.com/
3. Kate McKean's Agents + Book Substack: https://katemckean.substack.com/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=reader2&utm_source=%2Fsearch%2Fagents%2520and%2520books&utm_medium=reader2
I don't know anything about book proposals but it sounds like you're doing the right thing. I'm excited for you!
Brilliant! Thanks so much!
Love this reflective and insightful piece Sarah. Rejections can be so uncomfortable but when we remind ourselves that they are not really personal and so many factors play a role in a no, we can move on much faster or feel less like a failure and more like we have a raincoat on and the no’s run down our coat like water and not reach our heart.
I get a lot of rejections in my day to day, it’s kind of party of my job. I see them more as invitations to rethink and pivot and embrace the challenges.
Key for me has been to hold myself and my nervous system through these well
I have a lot of respect for anyone who experiences rejection on a daily basis. My nervous system needed tending to after 30 days, but it was a good experience. I find the reframe of it as an invitation really helpful. Thanks for sharing that!
💕 yesss and well feel safer and safer as our nervous system relaxes and we know how to hold ourselves and not take things personally. I’m still learning too and love that you challenged yourself for 30 days with such fantastic results xx
Thanks, Carmen. It was a worthwhile effort. I'm still having conversations with some of those I reached out to!
Can’t wait to hear about your collaborations and projects as the grow in the coming months x
I think it is so awesome that you did this. And appreciate you sharing it with us. You inspire me.
What a lovely comment. Thanks, Kathryn!
Wow, Sarah! You are a total powerhouse! Congratulations on such a productive, energised and focused November. As others have said, the silence is often worse than a hard 'no'. Limbo keeps hope alive and minds whirring... Can't wait to hear more about your successful pitches!
Very kind, Lindsay! I think I’m closer to being bananas!
Went fairly easy on myself in some ways and the email templates definitely helped. Excited to share more though!