Handling Rejection in Your Creative Business with Confidence and Grace

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You apply to a craft market or an art show and you’re really excited about the possible opportunity…and then it happens. You get the dreaded rejection letter. 

You’re crushed, disappointed, angry. It stings a little. Or a lot. You were SURE you were going to get in. And you really really wanted this opportunity!

So what do you do?

How do you move past this so it doesn’t hold you back from trying again?

First, remember that you’re in good company.

Everyone who is putting work out into the world has dealt with rejection at some point. 

Even the most famous and successful people.

Part of doing business and putting your work out there. 

Sometimes, honestly, it can be a blessing, but more on that later.

When I first started out in my purse business I applied to an arts festival. Part of the application included submitting photos of your booth display. I had never sold at an event, so I didn’t even have a display. I had to conceptualize and then physically create one so I could photograph it. My parents helped me build it, I got it all set up and took photos. And, spoiler alert, my work was not selected for the event. I was crushed and heartbroken, even a little angry. 

That wasn’t the last time my work was rejected from something either. Over the years there have been many events I haven’t gotten into. 

Notice that I’m saying my work was rejected, not that I was rejected. 

Reasons your work may not have been chosen - timing and taste:

• It wasn’t what they were looking for at that time
• Your work was not the right fit
• Different products made a better mix for that event
• Fierce competition. There simply isn’t enough space to accept all the great entries

What NOT to do:

• Send a nasty, angry email
• Rant about it on your social media bashing the organization

You’re running a business and want to maintain a level of professionalism.

If you applied for a job and didn’t get it, would you send an angry email to the hiring person telling them they are an idiot?

What to do:

• Feel your feelings, but don’t let them take up permanent residence in your head. 
• Be proud of yourself for putting your work out into the world! 
• Falling means you’re trying.
• If you received an email, you could reply with a short note thanking the person for their time and for considering your work. Wish them a great show and let them know you can’t wait to check it out.
• If you had applied to a market, and want to be considered if another vendor cancels, let the show organizers know that. Also let them know if you are available on short notice if someone cancels last minute.
• You could also ask a market organizer if they have time to provide any feedback that would help you strengthen your application in the future.
• Use this as an opportunity to learn and improve for the next time. Was this event or show truly the right fit for your work? If the answer is yes, think about how you could improve your application for the next time. And keep trying! Sometimes people need to see your work more than once. 
• Remember that rejection is not a reflection of your worth. It’s feedback that the opportunity wasn’t the right one for you at that time. 
• I love this Dalai Lama quote, “Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.” It may turn out that there is something even better for you that comes along. Trust that you are in the right place at the right time, on the right path, and the universe is going to support you.

Keep creating and let the rejection fuel you to move toward even better things!

Links + Resources:

• Join the FREE 5-Day Challenge
• Follow on Instagram: @heybeautifulcreative
  
  

A big thank you to Eric Gibbons for the music and editing that bring this podcast to life. 🎶✨