How do you handle biased information from clients?

1 Assess the level and type of bias

Before you agree to write for a client, do some research on their background, goals, and target audience. Try to understand their point of view and what they want to achieve with their web content. Some clients may have a clear and reasonable purpose for presenting a certain angle or perspective, while others may have hidden agendas, ulterior motives, or misleading claims. Some types of bias may be more acceptable or tolerable than others, depending on the context, genre, and tone of the web content. For example, a product review may be more subjective and persuasive than a news article, or a personal blog may be more opinionated and emotional than a research report.

2 Communicate your concerns and boundaries

If you detect any signs of bias in the client's brief, instructions, or sources, do not hesitate to communicate your concerns and boundaries. Explain why you think the information is biased, how it may affect the quality and credibility of the web content, and what alternatives or solutions you can offer. For example, you can suggest using more reliable and diverse sources, providing counterarguments or opposing views, or adding disclaimers or disclosures. Be polite, respectful, and professional, but also firm and confident in your expertise and ethics. If the client is unwilling to cooperate or compromise, you may have to decline or terminate the project.

3 Use your critical thinking and research skills

As a web content writer, you have the responsibility and the ability to verify, evaluate, and synthesize the information you use for your web content. Use your critical thinking and research skills to check the accuracy, validity, and relevance of the information you receive from the client or find online. Look for reputable and authoritative sources, compare and contrast different perspectives, and identify any gaps, errors, or inconsistencies. Avoid using information that is outdated, inaccurate, incomplete, or irrelevant. Also, avoid using information that is based on personal beliefs, emotions, or stereotypes, rather than facts, evidence, or logic.

4 Balance your objectivity and creativity

One of the challenges of web content writing is to balance your objectivity and creativity. On one hand, you want to present the information in a clear, accurate, and unbiased way, without distorting or manipulating the facts. On the other hand, you want to write in a engaging, compelling, and original way, without boring or alienating the readers. To achieve this balance, you need to consider the purpose, audience, and tone of your web content. Depending on the type and genre of the web content, you may have more or less flexibility and freedom to express your own voice, style, and opinions. However, you should always be honest, respectful, and ethical in your writing, and acknowledge any limitations, assumptions, or biases you may have.

5 Cite your sources and give credit

One of the best ways to avoid or reduce bias in your web content is to cite your sources and give credit. By doing so, you show that you have done your research, that you respect the original authors, and that you are transparent and accountable for your information. Citing your sources also helps you avoid plagiarism, which is a serious ethical violation and a legal risk. To cite your sources properly, you need to follow the rules and conventions of the citation style that your client or industry requires, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago. You also need to use quotation marks, paraphrasing, or summarizing techniques to integrate the sources into your web content. Additionally, you need to provide a list of references or links at the end of your web content, where the readers can find more information.

6 Seek feedback and revise your work

Finally, you can handle biased information from clients by seeking feedback and revising your work. Feedback can help you identify and correct any errors, inconsistencies, or biases that you may have overlooked or missed in your web content. Feedback can come from different sources, such as your peers, editors, mentors, or readers. You can ask for feedback on various aspects of your web content, such as the accuracy, clarity, relevance, and persuasiveness of your information, the structure, style, and tone of your writing, and the grammar, spelling, and punctuation of your language. Based on the feedback, you can revise your work to improve its quality and credibility, and to meet the expectations and needs of your client and audience.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?