Every successful freelance writer will tell you the same thing: pitching for clients can be hard and landing clients can be harder.

But they’ll also tell you that perseverance pays off in the end.

I know it can be hard to stay motivated when you’ve sent out a 100 pitches and have nothing to show for it.

However, I know that not giving up is the key to finding success as a freelancer.

If you find yourself ready to throw in the towel because your pitching is yielding no results, here are some ways you can stay motivated on your journey to becoming a successful freelance writer.

Try a New Pitch

Sometimes turning your luck around on the pitching process involves simply reviewing and revamping your pitch.

Your pitch is your first impression to a prospective client. You want to make sure your pitch stands out from the crowd — in a good way, of course.

Make sure you avoid copy and paste pitch templates. While these are great to refer to when writing your pitch, you need to make sure you personalize it to suit the client, your skills and your personality.

You can also make your pitch stand out by taking time to learn about the company, client or brand that you are pitching to. This will create an instant connection and show the prospective that you are serious about working for them.

Lastly, write a compelling subject line. Clients likely face a whole inbox full of pitches — you want to make sure yours stands out among the crowd.

Avoid the same generic subject lines everyone else is using such as “Interested in writing job…” or “Application for X position at X Company.” Instead, try to have a specific idea that you are pitching or even showcase your credibility.

Here are two examples:

• “Freelance Pitch: How to Optimize Your Landing Pages for Search”

• “Freelance Writer featured in X, X and more”

The bottom line here is to give clients a reason to read your pitch and personalize it so it stands out from the others.

If you need more help on learning how to write a pitch, please check out my Youtube video (and subscribe to my channel!).

Update Your Writer’s Website

It’s possible that it’s not your pitch that is the issue. Oftentimes, when prospective clients are interested after reading your pitch, they’ll seek more information about you on your writer’s website.

If you don’t have a writer’s website, that may be your problem right there! A writer’s website is a great way not only to showcase your writing samples and skills but to let your personality shine!

Clients want to see that you are, in fact, a legitimate freelancer and not a hobby blogger.

If you do have a writer’s website, maybe it’s time to give it a bit of an overhaul. Take a look at your site and check to see if you have the following:

• Compelling landing page

• “Where I’m Writing” section

• Call-to-action

• Contact form or contact information

• “Hire Me” page

• Portfolio

Even if you do have all of this information on your site, maybe it’s time to spruce up the layout and design.

Sometimes just making the smallest changes to your site can help refuel your motivation to keep pitching!

Change Your Mindset

Unfortunately, you may have all of your ducks in a row but are still receiving no responses to your pitches. It may compel you to give up altogether or create a fear of sending out pitches.

I’ll tell you right now, everyone has a fear of pitching when they first start freelancing. I know I did — it’s just natural to avoid rejection. No one wants to get told “no.”

But as the great hockey legend Wayne Gretzky said:

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

When you’re feel scared and demotivated, you need to change your mindset to this: If you don’t pitch, you won’t get any clients.

The worst that can happen is that the client says “no,” in which case you move on.

Remember that every time you send a pitch, you are one pitch closer to landing a client.

Remember Why You Want to be a Freelancer

There’s a reason you wanted to get into freelancing in the first place. Maybe it was to make an extra income or to finally be able to quit your day job and work from home.

Whatever your reason is, keep reminding yourself of it.

As a freelancer, you’re going to start at the bottom. This is true for most jobs in the world — it’s hard to land a top position anywhere without working for it first.

Gaining clients is simply a stepping stone to living the life you envision. And, eventually, your hard work will pay off.

Think of pitch rejection as a hurdle toward your ultimate goal. Are you willing to give up your dream because this one part is hard?

Or are you going to push through until you get what you want?

Don’t Give Up

You can become a successful freelance writer but it doesn’t happen overnight.

You need to remember that your success is entirely related to how much work you are willing to put in.

Sometimes that work means pitching over and over again until you land a client. Then another. Then another.

Until finally you are on your way to earning a living as a freelance writer!