You're facing feedback from non-writers on your content. How do you maintain its integrity?

There is always a lot to be gained from non-writer's feedback. The willingness to provide feedback itself is something that should be appreciated. In order for the feedback to be effective, some kind of filtering needs to be done. For example, pay attention to whether she or he conveys it as a reader. In this case, the feedback given is more valid, as long as the profile of the feedback provider is relevant to the profile of the reader you are targeting. Meanwhile, if the feedback conveyed concerns authorial matters, you need to be critical to understand it. Is the feedback given based on adequate understanding of the substance being conveyed, and is he familiar enough with the world of writing?

We've had readers question why we use certain sources. They may have read articles about the same topic in other media, for instance, which reference sources we don't. Sometimes, we were satisfied with the information from our sources and didn't feel the need to have someone else say essentially the same thing. In other cases, we knew we had the most accurate sources. Either way, we explain this matter-of-factly to the readers. The need to understand where someone's coming from works both ways.

Firstly, non-writers can also have a say. Yes, this is your area of expertise. But don’t allow that to cloud a fresh perspective. However, if someone is overstepping, you can politely thank them for their contribution and clarify that you can handle the task. “Thanks for weighing in but I’ll take it from here.” If you can offer something like this without sounding passive-aggressive. I think collaborating with people from different departments is beneficial. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our ways that we can miss very simple solutions. But we also know our value and don’t need to be lectured at other times.

Feedback from non-writers can be some of the best and worst feedback any writer will receive. Best because it will allow you to look at what is being communicated through a different lens (perhaps they point out something that is confusing or unclear). It can be the worst when you are starting out in your writing career and have not yet learned how to decipher between opinions and useful/actionable critcism.

Preserve the Core Message Reinforce the Objective: Ensure that any changes made based on feedback do not alter the fundamental message or purpose of the content. Stay true to the core objectives and key points you aim to communicate. Maintain Your Voice: Keep your unique voice and style intact. While adjustments might be necessary, your content should still reflect your perspective and brand identity.

To maintain it's integrity, you must first filter the all of the given feedback. This is so that you would know which ones you should and shouldn't use. You must make sure that you evaluate all of the given feedback. This is to see which ones would be of help to you. You must also make sure that the given fedbacks are relevant to your contents. This is because non-writers may not be able to give feedbacks that are relevant.

I'm going to change my answer to a short one. Steven Covey's best habit of highly effective people: "First Seek to Understand"

You need to preserve your voice as much as possible even though you've received feedback about your work. This is because your voice is what differentiates you from other writers. You must make sure that you change your contents according to the feedback without changing your voice. This is because you need to have your own identity as a writer. You must also avoid changing the contents if it changes you voice. This is because it's not worth it changing your voice especially based on feedback from a non-writer.

To preserve your voice, you must first recognize what your voice is. You have to be confident in who you are and your writing style before you begin accepting feedback from non-writers or chances are...you'll end up falling into a rabbit hole of never ending edits and rewrites Pleasing ever reader, having no negative feedback or suggestions of change is impossible. You'll need to know who you are, what you stand for and what the writing was meant to convey. There will always being different interpretations from different readers.

Use your audience as a compass. If they're data scientists, don't waste time teaching them what they already know. If you're writing a piece for a less technical audience with the goal to educate, unpack ideas in a simplified way. When you know your audience deeply, you know the level of detail or guidance they need to stay engaged. Make sure they feel like they are gaining something by reading your content. Regardless of who your audience is, write with precision and impact.

It can obviously depend on the context and intended audience of your writing, but non-writers and people who aren't subject experts can be a great indication of a need for plain English in your work. Often, we are very familiar and comfortable with the subject we are writing on, and can easily slip into jargon or topic-specific language that may not be the most helpful to readers. Accessibility in writing is a really important skill to develop, as being able to explain terms and concepts to others who are new to the subject makes for stronger and more impactful content. It can also point out gaps in our own understanding, if we find ourselves struggling to break down these high-level ideas.

Some industries are full of jargon, and defining terms within the body of an article every time you use these words bogs them down. If one or two people provide feedback indictating they don't understand the terminology, they aren't your core readers. That isn't to say you ignore them, though. Take the opportunity to explain in a reply. Consider, too, that if you start receiving more feedback, you have a good opportunity to create a list of common abbreviations and terms as an article on your website.

Non-writers sometimes provide the best inspiration for new content. At the website I own, we've had requests for longer stories on certain subjects, and coverage of subjects we didn't initially think were of much interest. It never hurts to test these requests with the broader audience. The results may pleasantly surprise you, as they did our team.

When you can learn to embrace your audience's feedback, whether they are a writer or not, you can learn to be a better writer. If a non-writer is giving you feedback, there is a reason for it. Just because they are a non-writer doesn't mean they are a non-reader. Something you've written doesn't resonate. Yes, there's always an opportunity to plead your case and explain why, but most of the time, it's about stepping back and seeing what you can change. So much of becoming a better writer involves self-awareness, confidence, and growth. More often than not, the difference between a good writer and a great writer is their willingness to step outside themselves.

Sometimes you can take to heart criticism from someone “outside your bubble” but it is a matter of analyzing those that can be constructive rather than destructive. All of that serves for greater clarity of ideas in your writing work.

Handling feedback from non-writers requires discernment. Constructive criticism should be embraced as an opportunity for growth, while baseless attacks should be recognized but not internalized. Engage with your audience, understand their perspectives, and address valid concerns. Ultimately, it's about staying true to your core message and making thoughtful choices that align with your vision and the needs of your reading audience.