Rejection is an inevitable part of the creative journey. Whether it's a declined project proposal, a non-responsive client, or critical feedback on your work, rejection can feel deeply personal and discouraging. 

Adopting the right mindset and strategies can help you turn these negative experiences into resilience building stepping stones to propel your career forward. Freelance creatives from Behance to share their experiences with rejection and their tips for bouncing back even stronger. 

Don’t Take it Personally

Rejection happens to all of us and although being told “no” stings, it’s important to remember that each rejection takes you one step closer to finding the right opportunity. “On many occasions I have come close to a dream project and lost it,” shares illustrator Carolina Saiz. “It happens to all of us.” 

Carolina warns that a dangerous pitfall of rejection is turning the blame on yourself, but it’s important not to take rejection personally. “Most of the time it has nothing to do with your personality or your work, there are many other factors. And sometimes clients don't have the tact to understand that behind a budget there is a person.” Rather than taking rejection as a reflection of your worth, think of it as a stepping stone towards building your ideal creative career. 

The Sevillaner cover by Carolina Saiz

Embrace the Learning Opportunity 

Graphic designer Clara Briones Vedia acknowledges that despite how commonplace rejection is, it can still take an emotional toll. “The first few times it affected me more, I felt frustration and sadness for a few days,” she recalls.

Understanding that rejection is a part of the creative process was crucial for Clara. “You realize that there are always new opportunities. Communication and empathy is key to being able to understand you and your customers. I no longer get frustrated if there is negative feedback, as long as the communication is clear and respectful."

Participacción by Clara Briones Vedia and Antton Ugarte

“I try to learn from my mistakes and be smarter next time,” adds Carolina. Her advice is to take rejection in stride, dust yourself off, and keep going: “Failure is useful if you learn from it.”

Set Realistic Expectations

Setting realistic expectations can be a helpful tactic when dealing with rejection from new clients. "I've had plenty of rejections in freelancing, especially with new clients,” says illustrator Tatiana Vovchek. 

Over time, Tatiana has learned to manage her expectations and not dwell on projects that did not work out. “I'd say about 3-5% of the estimates I send out turn into real projects. So, I've gotten used to not hearing back at all after an estimate or receiving replies that don't lead anywhere," she says. Managing expectations helps you stay resilient and motivated, focusing on the opportunities that do materialize.

Best friends children's illustrations by Tatiana Vovchek

Don’t Lose Your Confidence

After a rejection, it’s a slippery slope to doubting your skills or the strength of your portfolio. For visual artist Sebastian Cestaro, trusting yourself is the key to overcoming the self doubt that may creep in. "I am always confident that there will be new opportunities and I am persistent with my work so those opportunities will come.” 

Continuing to develop your portfolio will ultimately make you a better creative. “There are people who will be interested in my work and others who won't and it's totally understandable. I stay focused on my thing, working and sharing it because you never know who might be paying attention,” says Sebastian. 

The Verge - Early days of SEO by Sebastian Cestaro

Tatiana also emphasizes trusting the journey and the process: “Your skills will improve gradually, and many of the clients you work with will improve too.” “Just follow your journey step by step,” she encourages. “The quantity will eventually turn into quality.”

2023 risograph CALENDAR by Clara Briones Vedia and Antton Ugarte

Keep the Door Open

Even when things don't work out, handle setbacks with honesty and empathy. Recently, illustrator Denis Freitas declined a client project due to scheduling conflicts. “A large part of this situation boils down to knowing how to move forward and keeping the door open for future projects with that client,” says Denis.

“Communication is key. I believe that presenting the truth in a human way always brings people closer.” Denis explained his scheduling issues and expressed his desire to work with the client in the future. “Thus, we move forward, doing the best we can with what we have.”

Apple ● Dragon Boat Festival by Denis Freitas

Exercise Your Power 

Remember that it’s a two-way street — as a creative, you are also in control when it comes to accepting and rejecting clients. "Just as clients choose freelancers, you can choose your clients," reminds Tatiana. "If a project doesn't feel like the right fit, it's okay to say no." 

“There's always the right client for the right freelancer,” echoes Denis. By focusing on finding the right matches, freelancers can build more satisfying and productive working relationships. Adopting this mindset will empower you to seek out opportunities that align with your kills and values. 

National Park Map by Carolina Saiz

Find New Clients 

Get discovered by new clients by  your availability on Behance to let visitors to your profile know that you’re open to new freelance projects. You can also list a Creative Service for specific types of projects you’re available for. 

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