Don't Take No Answer As a No

Bummer. You emailed an editor two days ago, and he hasn’t responded. Guess he hated your pitch, so you better move on to the next prospect.

Not!

Do not reach out one time. Do not reach out once a week. Every day you need to reach out to others, and you need to be persistent about checking back with people.

That editor might be:

On vacation
Traveling
Obsessed with an important deadline
Unaware your pitch is in his spam folder

Confusing you with someone else

Don’t take no answer as a no.

When you put your goals and reputation on the line, it’s easy to become overly sensitive to the slightest “slights.”

“Did he hate my idea?” you might wonder. “Maybe he thinks I’m an idiot for daring to think that I deserve to be associated with his projects.”

These, and 100 other potential negative thoughts, are self- defeating. Rather than guessing about his lack of response, wait a few more days, and then, send a polite follow-up note. If that doesn’t work, wait a few days, and call him. You will probably end up leaving a message, so be sure it is positive, upbeat, and concise.

Above all else, assume success until another outcome is proven without a shadow of a doubt. If things don’t work out, recharge your batteries (quickly), and bring the same positive energy to another prospect.