How would you manage conflicting feedback from different clients on the same copywriting project?

If you're dealing with a few members from one company, you're likely to have varying opinions on your word choice, strategy, or concept. To avoid a mess: 1- ideally, set one point of contact- one decision maker- for the duration of the project. That keeps the back and forth away from your ears. 2- if you're already dealing with a sticky situation, get on a call with every opinionated person in the company. Explain your strategy with confidence. And watch them nod their heads in agreement. Just a little note: Most of the differing opinions will be over word choice, like supercharged vs powerful. No difference!

Ah, yes this can be frustrating! I have experienced this mainly when it comes between the pull between SEO and the actual content of a blog article. I think first and foremost, take your feelings out of the equation, and remember it's more of a dispute between what the ultimate purpose of the deliverable is and not your writing style per se. And two, if it's possible, see if you can set boundaries with the client so that you're just getting one set of feedback to work with and not having to sift through multiple opinions.

Start by thanking both clients for their feedback. Let them know you understand their perspectives. Briefly summarize the key points of each client's feedback to ensure you've grasped their concerns accurately.

Handling conflicting feedback from different clients on the same copywriting project can be tricky, but it's all about finding a balance and keeping your cool. Picture this: You're juggling feedback from Client A who wants a more formal tone and Client B who prefers a more casual vibe. What do you do? You take a deep breath, analyze both perspectives, and look for common ground. Maybe you blend the formality of Client A with the friendliness of Client B to create a unique voice that satisfies both. Communication is key here—keep the dialogue open, explain your choices, and find solutions that make everyone happy. Remember, you're the maestro of words; harmonize those conflicting notes into a symphony of success.

Gather all feedback in one place and look for patterns. Are there common threads or themes? Do certain stakeholders prioritize different goals (e.g., brand voice vs. conversion)? This helps identify the core issues to address.

Determine which pieces of feedback really matter. Is everyone nitpicking back and forth on a certain word or phrase or does it go deeper? Focus on the deeper feedback? Is there a voice mismatch? Are you speaking to the correct audience?

Listen to everyone, but don't do everything they say. Each client has their own idea of what's best. Some ideas are great, some aren't. Your job is to figure out which ones will make the project a winner. Think about who the project is for. What do they like? What do they need? Pick the ideas that help the project do its job. If some ideas don't fit, be honest. Explain why, but be nice about it. Remember, you're the expert. You know what works.

Clear communication is crucial when managing conflicting feedback. Keeping lines open and being transparent with clients about the challenges their differing opinions present is essential. By articulating your thought process and efforts to reconcile feedback, you show respect for their input and position yourself as a thoughtful mediator. This approach demonstrates your dedication to finding the best solution and fosters trust and collaboration with clients.

You don't have to do everything everyone asks all the time. You're the expert and only one of the clients will be the one who pays your bill. In the end, that's the person whose voice should be the loudest besides yours...

This shows flexibility and creativity while giving the team more to work with. Simultaneously, the client sometimes needs points of reference in order to come up with clear feedback.

If the feedback doesn't make sense, don't use it. If it makes the work worse, don't do it. Explain your choices, but don't be afraid to disagree. You're not a robot. You have a brain, use it. Sometimes, the best thing to do is take a step back, think it through, and make your own call. In the end, it's about what works best for the project, not just what people want to hear.

Balancing conflicting feedback requires a focus on the project's success. Prioritize the audience's needs and the project's goals in your decision-making. This might mean standing firm on certain aspects of your work if you believe they are crucial for the project's effectiveness, even if it contradicts some clients' preferences. By doing so, you ensure the best outcome for the project while demonstrating your commitment to its success.

Don't get stuck in one way of thinking. Sometimes, there's more than one right answer. Show them different choices, different ways to tell their story. Let them see what works best for them. This shows you're not just a writer, you're a problem solver. You want to help, not just argue. And who knows, maybe you'll even come up with a new idea that's better than anything you originally planned.

Set boundaries. If there are more than two people from the company providing feedback and insights, the back and forth could go on forever. It’s reasonable to say, “This is the last round of edits. Which points are most important to you?” This will make them focus on what really matters.

How do we qualify client feedback? Don't get me wrong. We have all heard the quote, "The customer is always right." To an extent, they are. But what if they're not? What if your copy was based on solid research. Your tone, writing style, messaging, everything aligned with your target audience. I always ask my clients to allow me a certain level of freedom and creativity. Not to go crazy, but to follow informed strategies based on data and audience research. Sometimes it takes a little longer to see the results. How then do we balance between data and research-driven copy, and just "what the customer wants"?

Always remember to: - Stay professional and respectful. Even in the face of disagreement, maintain a courteous and professional demeanor. - The final decision rests with the client. While you can offer guidance and solutions, ultimately the client has the final say.

This happened to my recently. You need to make time to get all invested parties on a call and get to the bottom of the issue. Often the confusion caused by conflicting feedback come down to a lack of communication. Gey everyone in a room and don't leave until you fix it.