Thanks so much for joining Send It Anyway: Reframing Fear & Rejection in Creative Outreach. If you’re reading this after the workshop (or watching the replay), here’s a clear recap of what we covered — with core takeaways, plus the actionable steps + exercises you can use straight away.

Outreach can feel loaded — and showing up anyway is a big deal. You don’t need a perfect mindset, a perfect portfolio, or perfect words. You just need a repeatable approach and a little momentum.

Core Ideas That Landed

Certain moments during the workshop really resonated with those who came along:

• “Detach self-worth from outcomes” (Tip #1)
  Many illustrators on the workshop resonated with this one — a strong sign it stuck.

• “Rejection means you’re showing up” (Tip #2)
  Explicitly called out as a favourite.

• Reframes like:
  “Rejection is re-direction”
  “Start with what you have”
  “You can improve later, by doing”

Takeaway: People didn’t want more tactics – they wanted permission to act imperfectly.

Outreach Realisations

A few honest, relatable moments in the session today:

• “I’m realising how crappy my outreach emails are now”

• “I’ve been introverted for years relying on people finding me… time to come out of my comfort zone!”

• “I made a list of clients to contact… and then I just didn’t send”

There was relief in hearing:

• January is hard for outreach (aka “the Monday of the year”)

• Timing matters, but momentum matters more

• You’re not behind!

Takeaway: Normalising hesitation reduced shame — and increased readiness.

Practical Takeaways Shared

From the community:

• Use spreadsheets / Trello to track outreach

• Colour-code lists to make them feel lighter

• Gamify rejection (stickers, badges, shiny things)

• Track sends, not responses

Takeaway: Making outreach playful + visible helps people keep going.

Community Energy

Strong, organic validation of the space:

• Multiple members shared how supportive Inkygoodness Collective feels

• Comparisons to other orgs highlighted the human-first community feel

• Members actively reassured each other:
  “Don’t beat yourself up”
  “Our time is now”
  “You’re not alone”

Takeaway: The challenge feels safe because the community already is.

Momentum at the End

By the close of the workshop, the tone had clearly shifted:

• “This is brilliant — just what I needed”

• “Feeling much more motivated!”

• “I feel ready even though I don’t feel ready”

• Excitement for the 100 Rejections Challenge

Takeaway: Confidence didn’t arrive first — action did.

Watch the Workshop Replay now:

Core Tips & Takeaways

1) Your worth is not the outcome

Your value isn’t measured by:

• instant replies

• landing work immediately

• praise or external validation

Your only job is to send the message. The outcome isn’t yours to control.

Exercise: Write down what you control vs what you don’t.

2) Rejection is proof you showed up

A “no,” a pass, or silence isn’t a verdict on your work. It means:

• you took action

• you practiced visibility

• you entered the conversation

The goal is more sends, not fewer no’s.

Reframe: Sending is the win.

3) Reach out to “right now” people

Stop starting with the scariest dream clients. Begin with:

• editors, studios, and brands already commissioning work like yours

• realistic, aligned opportunities at your current level

Exercise: List 5 people you could email this week without spiralling.

4) Keep it human (not performative)

Good outreach is short, specific, kind, and clear. You’re not writing a cover letter — you’re starting a conversation.

Action: Find the person’s name. Avoid generic “Dear Sir/Madam”.

5) Tone matters more than pitch

Don’t beg, apologise, or over-explain. Strong outreach sounds:

• calm

• grounded

• clear

• respectful

You’re not asking for permission to exist — you’re offering something relevant.

6) Structure beats confidence

You don’t need the perfect words — you need a simple shape.

A strong outreach email has 4 parts:

1. Why them (one genuine, specific reason)

2. Who you are + what you do (one clear sentence)

3. What you’re sharing (one relevant link/project)

4. A low-pressure close (easy to respond to)

Action: Use one relevant hyperlink, not just your full website.

7) Say less than you think you should

You don’t need your life story, every credential, or a long justification. Keep it focused:

• who you are

• what you do

• why you’re reaching out

• one simple next step

Exercise: Draft your email, then cut it in half.

8) Make replying easy and low-pressure

End with a gentle doorway that respects their time. Examples:

• “Would this be useful right now?”

• “Let me know if this feels relevant.”

• “Happy to share more if helpful.”

Low pressure increases replies — and keeps the relationship warm.

9) Consistency beats confidence

Don’t wait to feel ready. Build a rhythm:

• 1 email doesn’t change much

• 10 emails changes how you feel

• 30 emails changes your relationship with outreach

Aim for small lists, simple messages, regular sending.

10) Momentum is built by sending

Confidence comes after action, not before it. You build a “sending habit” the same way you build any skill — through repetition.