“I’ve Been Rejected” – It’s All Part of Freelance Writing!
As a freelance writer, you will most likely submit your work to many different calls for content and exciting opportunities to snag a by-line. With a never-ending pool of talented writers pursuing the same objective as you, rejection is a common part of freelance writing. Even the best of writers have suffered rejection. However, it’s what you do after the dust settles that truly matters.
Why Did I Get Rejected?
Inappropriate Writing Style
Not everyone is going to fall in love with your writing style. While some clients enjoy punchy statements and original thought, others encourage writers to present a conservative tone that oozes professionalism or speaks to academic circles. Certain clients view highly descriptive pieces and imagery as ‘fluff’ or ‘flowery text,’ while others demand detailed pieces that allow readers to indulge in all five of their senses. Sometimes, you’ve simply been rejected because your writing style was not the perfect fit. Don’t take it personal.
Misunderstood the Market or Target Audience
Clients are looking for writers that can speak to their target market, audience or a specific gender; sell products and services; improve brand recognition; and express the thoughts and ideas that they are unable to convey. For example…
- When a job calls for web content geared towards teenagers and the video game market – your writing tone and knowledge of the subject is vital.
- It is not uncommon for a retired chemical engineer to encounter a bit of trouble connecting with 4-year-olds looking for a bedtime story.
- And… if you don’t have any experience writing persuasive, sales copy – getting rejected for a sales letter gig on your first try shouldn’t come as a surprise.
One of the most important aspects of writing is to understand your market. Who is the reader and what kind of information are they looking for? What will keep the reader interested? Let’s say you’re interested in writing for a magazine. The first thing you should do is scan an assortment of publications to get a feel for their audience, tone of voice, content, and style of writing. Make sure to become familiar with the ins and outs of a magazine, including the kind of ads they publish. This will help you better meet the needs of a potential client when sending sample submissions.
Didn’t Follow Directions or Writer Guidelines
Go over the original directions or writer guidelines with a fine-tooth comb – did you deliver what was asked of you? Perhaps you injected opinion when you needed to remain objective in your writing. Maybe you were instructed to send an original sample of your work, but submitted a previously published E-Zine article.
Sometimes, adhering to a specified word count is a deal breaker. When a 500-word sample article is asked of you, sending a 2,000-word piece (no matter how brilliant it is) probably wasn’t the best idea. Keep in mind that many clients are looking for writers who know how to write under various restrictions…and follow directions.
Time of Submission
There are tons of freelance writing opportunities decorating the Web, including Craigslist ads, blogrolls, newsletter services, Elance, Guru, and Scriptlance. The competition is fierce, as you are sometimes vying for projects that have caught the eye of thousands upon thousands of other writers. The key is to strike fast in order to increase your chances of being ‘heard.’ Although you may have written the ‘next best thing,’ chances are – if you’re #788 out of 900 responses – your piece may never come in contact with the client. For example, some clients choose to sift through only the first 100 replies they receive for an ad. Many writers are rejected simply because they never had a chance to shine.
…and the dreaded Didn’t Write Well Enough
Sometimes, the answer to your rejection is staring you right in the face as you glance over your work – incomplete sentences, spelling errors, improper tenses, and overall poor grammar. Have someone look over your writing piece, making sure they are familiar with the project details. Did you fulfill what was asked of you? How many grammar mistakes were found? Did you carelessly misspell a common word? Poor grammar and spelling blunders quickly overshadows any good writing and thoughts.
Overall, writing is a never-ending journey of learning and growth – a process that matures as you mature. In the end, you will find that practicing your craft is one of the best ways to sharpen your skills and improve client and reader responses.
