How can you handle difficult feedback from clients in infographic storytelling?

1 Understand the purpose

Before you start designing your infographic, make sure you understand the purpose and the audience of the project. What is the main message or goal that your client wants to convey? Who are they trying to reach and influence? How will they use or distribute the infographic? These questions will help you align your design choices with your client's needs and avoid unnecessary revisions later.

3 Apply feedback selectively

Feedback is essential to improve your infographic storytelling, but not all feedback is equally useful or relevant. You need to evaluate the feedback you receive from your client and decide which suggestions to apply and which to reject. Some feedback may be objective, such as factual errors, technical issues, or accessibility problems, and you should fix them as soon as possible. Other feedback may be subjective, such as aesthetic preferences, stylistic choices, or personal opinions, and you should consider them carefully and weigh them against your own judgment and experience.

4 Explain your rationale

Sometimes, you may disagree with your client's feedback or have a different perspective on how to tell the story. In that case, you need to explain your rationale and justify your design decisions. Use data, research, best practices, or examples to support your arguments and show how your infographic storytelling achieves the purpose and the audience of the project. Don't be defensive or arrogant, but rather try to educate and persuade your client with facts and logic.

5 Seek a compromise

If you and your client still can't agree on some aspects of the infographic storytelling, you may need to seek a compromise that satisfies both parties. You may have to make some concessions or adjustments to accommodate your client's wishes, but don't sacrifice your integrity or quality. Try to find a middle ground that preserves the essence and the effectiveness of your infographic storytelling, while also respecting your client's feedback and expectations.

6 Learn from the experience

Finally, you can use the feedback from your client as a learning opportunity to improve your infographic storytelling skills and your professional relationships. Reflect on what went well and what went wrong, and identify what you can do better next time. Ask for constructive criticism and positive feedback from your client, and thank them for their collaboration and trust. Use the feedback to enhance your portfolio, showcase your work, and attract more clients.

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?