Your best rejection letter??

[krystalhartley]

Okay...crazy topic...not wanting to bring up old wounds or anything. But, as some of you know, I have a CT call that closes tomorrow night, and I have to send out the dreaded "sorry...not this time" letters. There is SO much talent, and it's killing me that I can't just have one gigantic team, ya know?

So, while there is not a good way to be let down, what is the least painful way? Any tips or suggestions are totally welcome. I plan on still keeping everything personal, but I don't want to end up on the FAIL blog for rejection letters or anything. :p

I love this community, and I respect your input SO much!! Thanks for being such a great group of girls (and dude).

[Nikki Epperson]

Um, a coupon or a free gift of some sort kind of softens the blow. I'm not much help. Sorry. :)

Good luck to you!

[lizzyfizzy]

yep. i agree that a freebie softens the fall. :)

and just be real...but you already know that.

[Paula]

I always appreciate the truth. That you had a lot of applicants and it was so hard to choose and this time it wasn't me.

I always feel a little better when I'm offered a guest spot or a goody. =)

[amystoffel]

a rejection letter i got once pointed out a couple of things that she liked about my gallery, and let me know how hard it was to turn away people. i don't think there IS an easy way to do it. but i think that if you apply for a CT you know there is only a handful of people that get selected, and that you are likely to get a rejection. anyone who says something nasty about your rejection letter...won't you be glad you didn't pick them in the first place?

[Kara]

I think exactly what you said above -- that there's so much talent out there, and that you just can't take everyone, but that you hope they'll apply when you have a call again in the future.

And a freebie is always nice. :)

[Kim]

"Kim, you suck, better luck next time" lol no no, j/k

I think basically what you just described is enough. That there is so much talent and that you hate that you cant take everyone who applied, but you are limited by the number you can take on. People will understand.

[Brooke W]

Let's see.

I felt a bit better when someone wrote that she thought that the things I made probably wouldn't fit with what she designed and might not be as happy there as she'd like them to be. She just wanted me to be happy and didn't think I would be there.
Not everyone did it, but a little something from the designer as a gift for applying at least softened the blow for me. It wouldn't have to be much really, kind of a ty for applying thing. It was hardly the reason I applied either,lol.

I have had several rejection letters and I know it is never easy for the designer to have to send them. I don't envy you in any way.

[ColleenSwerb]

If there are some people who were especially hard to turn away, it can soften the blow by saying that you greatly appreciated their application and that you'll be keeping it "on file" in case anything opens up in the future. I've had that happen before, and it's nice to know that you were at least one of the finalists, kwim? Everyone knows designers get swamped and can't take everyone.

And, of course, a lil freebie is nice too :)

[newfiemountiewife]

Krystal, I think the best rejection letters I have received were the ones where the designer took time to actually write something that was applicable to me, not just some blanket email, kwim? Like the ones that mention part of my gallery, or something like that.

However, having said that, I understand that is not possible when you have like 100 to write!

I also think that just by saying that their style doesn't fit with yours, or that you had a lot of app's (which I'm SURE you have!), so you just didn't have space for everyone. Any of us who have applied before to big calls, understand the odds are against us, not for us, but we can't help but dream LOL

I might be totally opposite of everyone else, but the freebie makes no difference to me. It's nice, don't get me wrong, but if it was a position that I lusted after, it will hurt anyway.

Good luck, I don't envy you at all. I always think the calls are more stressful on the designers than on the scrappers. ((hugs))

[meems]

Krystal, I think the best rejection letters I have received were the ones where the designer took time to actually write something that was applicable to me, not just some blanket email, kwim? Like the ones that mention part of my gallery, or something like that.
I agree. The best rejection I ever rec'd mentioned specific LOs in my gallery. But I can see where that would not be practical.

[jessica31876]

a 10 dollar coupon for something from the designers store. I have only applied to two designers. A few have asked me to be on their team but it was always at a bad time for me.

[LeeAndra]

(01) Please include the scrapper's first name in the rejection letter. While I understand the rest of the rejection letter is exactly the same as 50+ other people, at least I know you took the time to write in my name... like how I took the time to apply for the team.

(02) While there is always room for vague touchy-feely sentences so that my fragile creative ego is not hurt :p, please do not offer me a future guest spot and/or false praise-promises that you will not be able to fulfill. I'd much prefer a generic-ish 'I had so many apps blah blah...' than 'I'd like to offer you a guest spot at some time in the future, and I'll contact you w more info blah blah...' and then never hear from you again.

(03) To be frank, I always prefer a coupon over a freebie since the coupon allows me to choose what will work for me and allows me to further advertise for the designer in the best way possible. For instance, a superpink glittery butterfly paper pack freebie will do me absolutely no good and will sit on my HD unused, but a coupon good for one kit/mini kit/element pack allows me to further supplement my stash of this particular designer's work and makes me feel respected as a scrapper in being allowed to choose my own 'prize.'

HTH! Hope to hear good news abt your call, too, Krystal. ;)

[crystalbella77]

I agree with the free gift. Though like Jamie said, if it was one you really wanted it will still hurt. It's a really hard thing. :( It's always nice to have it more personable as well (but if you had tons of apps, like someone said, that may not be practical). It is somethign that is really hard on both sides, so I dont' envy you at all! {{hugs}} and Good luck!!

[sugarink]

Man, I can imagine how many applicants must have applied and now you've come to face this dreadful process of elimination which is probably harder on the designer than it is on the scrapper (well there may be some who can't handle rejection well). Anyways, you've pretty much have the right idea of what to say in a way that is honest and professional, plain and simple. :)

As for myself, I apply to teams knowing that there's always the possibility of not getting picked, but I feel like if I don't at least try, then I'll never know if I would've made it or not. I've had rejection letters in the past, but it didn't stop me from trying to apply for others and now I'm grateful for the ones that did choose me. Whether or not you choose to give a gift or a guest spot, a simple personal thank you would be good enough, I think. Best of luck to you...

[scrappychic]

I agree with mixing positive and negative, I think something personable makes them feel like you took the time to look at their gallery, just like they took the time to apply to you. A GC is always a nice token and well appreciated, especially because they like your designs, which is hopefully why they applied in the first place.

So now that I spilled all that, my tummy's turning thinking about it! :blink: :unsure:

[brooke22]

I think also if there is a specific reason why a person wasnt chosen, like something they should really look at for the future if they want to be on a CT is a good idea too. And I agree with the rest, a little gift is always nice!

[SeattleSheri]

It sounds like you've already put a lot of thought into this and are sending out individual replies (which is the biggest thing for me). I know it's a huge PITB, but sending something out to each person is so nice. Getting a mass email where you can tell everyone was BCC'd can make you feel like you're anonymous. Good luck with everything Krystal :)

[Alinalitas]

I wouldn't really know. The only time I applied (besides with La) was to Traci and she was supersweet (and gave me a coupon)

[Jenn Barrette]

PM Misty, her's was the nicest one I have ever received...I receive them often enough LOL.

[mrsmbm]

A coupon or a gift...either way for me! I only apply to designers that I love, so I'm bound to love a gift just as much as if I had a choice. But gifts and coupons aren't a necessity. I love it just as much when the designer says, "I love this layout of your's because..."

Please mention the name of the scrapper...makes it more personal. :)

[newfiemountiewife]

Oh yes, please use our names :D

I really don't like the "hey you...". Humour me and take the time to type in my name :p

[pbumbaca]

I can't imagine how hard it is Krystal. I have to say that I've had my share of rejection letters.

I will agree with Col, Jamie and LeeAndra, personalize it, a little gift definitely softens the blow. And yeah, if you want to offer a guest spot make sure you ask at that point for a specific time and not just humor me. I would never diss someone because they rejected me or have bad feelings about them, there are a lot of great scrappers out there and people just need to realize you aren't always a fit just because you think you are. Good luck!

[kscwgirl]

I agree w/ everything LeeAndra said. :)

[Angie4b1g]

Dear Angie,

You totally rock, please join my team!

XOXO
Krystal

There, how's that?

[Jennifer]

Gosh, it must be so hard to write the dreaded rejection letter! Certainly use the applicant's name, and if you can personalize it even more, that's even better. I don't care much about getting a freebie...honestly, if I'm applying, I want it badly enought that a freebie is not going to really soften it for me. KWIM? If there's a specific reason for the "no," (styles don't mesh, there's something that needs to be worked on, etc), I'd like to hear that, too. Also, if there are just tons of applicants, it's nice to know. A guest spot, when possible, is nice, but isn't feasible for every single application.

It stinks to get them, I'm sure it's even harder to write them, but I think everyone here knows that they're a reality. Not every single person that applies for every single call can make it (but wouldn't it me nice!?! :D ).

Just the fact that you're asking for input shows how much you care, and that means a lot to a lot of people!

[AmyM]

I agree with the others. A coupon or a gift always turns the frown upside down LOL. Seriously, it does. Say something about thank you for applying and all that stuff...it's nice to hear :) Hmmm..I should have Robin's rejection letters memorized by now but for some reason it escapes me. I always bug her with applications for sugarbabedom when I don't have a chance in heck LOL

[amystoffel]

Dear Angie,

You totally rock, please join my team!

XOXO
Krystal

There, how's that?

LMBO

I keep checking my inbox for her rejection letter to see how nice it is..... :p

[joelsgirl]

Well I guess I'm in the minority, but it doesn't matter how nicely a rejection letter is worded, it's still a "no", and while I would be disappointed to not get in, it wouldn't change the way I felt about the designer. I don't take rejection too seriously. So I don't think you should stress too much about the letter. Be nice, but don't feel bad that you're having to turn people down.

[Mama-to-Elle]

I agree with everyone on personalizing the letter, but i dont care too much on getting the freebie, I dont figure to get a freebie, everytime I dont get on a team, Its more for me, just knowing that I was able to show my interest in being on a team, for a designer I love, and if it wasnt a fit at that point, then thats okay..

Good Luck Krystal, and I can only imagine how hard writing the letters is... :)

[lhaslem]

well, when you send mine (oooh, please don't)...I love it when the designer mentions something specific about my gallery - proof they actually looked - a gift is always nice and the hope to be considered in the future.

if you need help with my acceptance letter - don't worry about it - I'll say "Yes" :)

Good luck - I know it must be super tough!

[krystalhartley]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to help me through this process! I really appreciate it!