I’m always striving to be a better copywriter. But I know I can’t do it alone. That’s why getting honest feedback from clients is so important to me. It helps me understand what they like, don’t like, and want more of from my writing. And that feedback makes me a better writer – both for them and other clients down the road.
So, don’t be afraid or embarrassed to be vocal about your thoughts and comments – okay, avoid abuse – but you know what I mean! You’re paying for a freelance copywriter’s service, so you deserve to get the outcome you want. If you keep quiet, then no one is happy, and the wrong outcome is achieved. It’s a lose-lose all around.
How to give constructive feedback
The way feedback is given is essential, and there are a few key things that make it effective.
It should be given early and often. I like to get feedback at least once during the brainstorming/outlining phase, once after the first draft is complete, and then again after any revisions. This way, I can catch any issues early on and address them before they become bigger problems.
Feedback should be specific. General comments like “I don’t like this” or “This isn’t working” aren’t helpful. Instead, focus on one specific thing you would like to see changed. For example, “I’m not sure about this analogy in the second paragraph” or “Can we add more statistics to support the claims in the third paragraph?”
Feedback should be constructive. This doesn’t mean sugar-coating your comments or holding back on criticism. But it does mean offering suggestions for how to improve the writing, rather than just pointing out what’s wrong with it. For example, “Instead of starting with a quote from the CEO, maybe we could open with a story about a customer who benefited from using our product” or “If we cut this section on competitor products, we can add an additional case study here.”
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. If you’re not sure what you want from a piece of writing, that’s okay! Just let me know, and we can work together to figure it out.
Giving and receiving feedback can be difficult. But it’s worth the effort because it helps people, especially me, learn and grow. Without it, I am left guessing what works and what doesn’t for my client – and that’s not a recipe for success. So, if you’re ever working with me on a project, or any other professional services providers, don’t be afraid to give honest feedback. It’s the best way to help me – and your project – succeed.
Do you have any tips for giving or receiving feedback? Share them in the comments below. And if you liked this post, please share it with your friends and followers. Thanks for reading! 🙂
