Not getting the gig doesn't mean you're not good
Lisa Kudrow didn’t make it onto Saturday Night Live. Neither did Jim Carrey. Steve Carell auditioned—and was passed over in favour of Will Ferrell. Aubrey Plaza interned at SNL, auditioned later, and still didn’t get cast. Zach Galifianakis? Rejected, too.
Whether or not you find them funny, they’ve each made a very good living being funny. They didn’t get the gig… but they didn’t let that be the end of the story. They didn’t spiral (or they didn’t spiral for long). They didn’t decide they weren’t good enough. They figured out that SNL just wasn’t the right stage for them—and they found their own.
That’s something freelancers need to remember, too.
Stop taking failure personally
A few years back I had a nightmare experience with a client. The kind that still makes me a little queasy when I see his name on social media. He ran a law firm and wanted his website redone. He was very specific in his mind about what he wanted on the website but was terrible at answering my questions or sharing information.
We all face rejection
I’ve had plenty of projects I didn’t book. Some I was excited about. Others seemed like a perfect fit. Some would have filled an important financial need. And a few really stung when the client said no—or worse, just ghosted.
But here’s the truth: most of the time, I forget all about those projects a few months later. New work comes in. Better clients show up. More interesting opportunities land in my inbox. What felt like a big deal in the moment quickly became just another stepping stone along the way.
Not getting the gig doesn’t mean you’re not talented. It doesn’t mean your portfolio isn’t good enough or your rates are too high or you’re not cut out for this. There are so many reasons why you might not get chosen, and most of them have nothing to do with your abilities.
Maybe the client already had someone in mind but decided to interview a few other freelancers just in case. Maybe the project scope changed after you submitted your proposal. Maybe the project was deprioritized. Maybe they wanted someone a little more local. Maybe your style or processes don’t match how they like to work.
And that’s okay. You don’t have to be everything to everyone.
Let’s Talk About Mindset for a Second
When something doesn’t work out—whether it’s a pitch, a project, or a proposal—it’s so easy to let that rejection creep into your head. One “no” turns into a spiral of self-doubt. Suddenly, you’re questioning everything: your skills, your rates, your niche, your entire existence as a freelancer. Maybe you even feel shame for having tried or having allowed your hopes to get up.
I’ve been there. I’ve let the “nos” get into my head. I’ve let it stop me from sending out pitches or reaching out to new clients.
But that mindset? It’s sneaky. And it’s rarely rooted in facts. Because most of the time, the rejection has nothing to do with your talent or potential—it’s just business. Timing. Budgets. Internal politics. Not you.
Still, that one "no" can feel louder than ten glowing testimonials if you're not careful. And then it can derail you.
So instead of letting that rejection derail your confidence, pause and reframe.
Here’s a simple mindset shift and action you can take today:
Instead of asking:
Why didn’t they pick me?
Ask:
Where else could my work be the perfect fit?
Then pick one of these actions:
✅ Revisit a pitch you sent a while ago and tweak it for someone new.
✅ Follow up with someone who ghosted you—just a short, kind check-in.
✅ Post something that showcases your skills on LinkedIn or your website.
✅ Reach out to a former client and let them know you’ve got space again.
✅ Re-read testimonials, kind emails, or feedback from past clients, colleagues, or collaborators. Remind yourself that people have seen your value—and many more will, too.
Focus on finding more clients and leads, because the more you have in your pipeline the easier it is to focus on moving on to the next potential great project.
Because your people? They’re still out there.
So if you’re sitting in that weird, uncomfortable space where someone said no—or said nothing at all—don’t spiral. Don’t turn it into a story about how you’re not good enough.
Remember: SNL didn’t hire some of the most successful comedic actors of our time. And they still found massive success by being exactly who they are.
You will too. Keep going.
Heidi
💡 If you’re working through the highs and lows of freelancing and want more tools, guides, and support along the way, check out the resources over at happyfreelancing.ca. I’ve put together everything I wish I’d had when I was just starting (or struggling to keep going).