When we’re in a business of getting past gatekeepers, they often defer us.
- “We’re going a different direction this time”
- “Next one”
- “Keep sending us your new materials”
- “We hope we’ll find a fit for you in the future”
I assume they’re telling the truth. They probably are hoping we’ll be better for them next time… that we have continued to grow in our careers and crafts. It would be way easier to stick with a relationship of someone growing than to make new relationships all the time. It’s also possible they loved us and wished they could have used us this time.
That doesn’t mean they’ll remember us.
The next opportunity might be a year or three later. If we leave them alone, it’s very unlikely we’ll be the first to get the call. The challenge becomes staying on their nice list.
Serve them.
Have empathy and serve them.
If I’m an author and I keep sending publishers proposals for my books they keep rejecting, I am probably not serving them.
If I send them periodic thoughts on the minds of great authors, they might benefit greatly. They might look at me as an advocate. They might enjoy hearing from me. They might have something fun to talk to me about next time they want to make contact. They might get a deeper knowledge of who I am and what I am like to work with. They might think my manuscript is open for adjustment. They might tell me what they’re looking for. They might give me more time for feedback next time. They might try to connect me with a publisher that’s a better match. They might understand my voice better. They might have me in mind for every opportunity until it’s the right opportunity.