Navigating Incredibly Vague, Not at All Helpful Feedback as a Content Creator
Erika Heald
B2B Content Marketing Expert | Consultant | Fractional Head of Content | Author | Speaker
It happens to everyone, eventually.
You create content that meets the brief (or two-sentence verbal summary) you received. It sparkles with details that you are positive will resonate with your audience, and you’re proud to put your name on it.
You send it off to your editor, client, or boss with a note soliciting their feedback. Finally, you get a reply ping in your inbox!
You open up the email and scroll down to the first comment field. They’ve selected a few words leading to a data visualization and left a note saying “simplify.” Further down, they leave another comment that says the piece doesn’t speak to audience X—which is not the audience they asked you to address.
Internally, you visualize?Edvard Munch’s The Scream.
So, you take a deep breath and reply patiently to the comments, noting your initial brief and any other instructions and asking for clarification. And wait for their reply. Rinse and repeat until you eventually understand what the heck it is they want you and your content to do. Which inevitably is not at all what the initial brief outlined.
Ugh.
In the spirit of helping people give better feedback to content creators, I’m compiling a list of all the least helpful, most annoying, and exceptionally vague standalone comments that content marketing creators receive and what reviewers can (and should!) be commenting instead. Here’s my start:
What would you add? Leave a comment and let me know!
Cheers,
Erika
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Can’t Miss Marketing AI Event Series (FREE For MarketingProfs Pro Members)!
By the end of summer, you can be a pro at using AI to optimize your content workflows. MarketingProfs is hosting an eight-week series starting June 21 that will cover everything from the legal pitfalls of AI (and how to avoid them) to how to write like robots can’t. I’m honored to present on July 26 about how to make AI your brand voice ally and apply a standardized voice across your entire organization. Get all the details and?register here.
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Until next time, stay safe and be well!
Cheers,
Erika
PR for B2B Clients | I'm a public relations consultant and writer who works with clients to create content, earn media coverage for their brands, and position them as thought leaders in their industry
1 年Thanks so much for including my piece on manufacturing PR!
??? Seasoned content marketer | Strategist | Writer | Editor
1 年When I was first starting as a writer and reporter, I used to get lots of very specific feedback from editors and copyeditors. At the time, this kind of feedback was all new to me. I was overwhelmed and a little embarrassed. Frustrated, too. As I progressed in my career, though, I started to yearn for those days of specific copy feedback! How spoiled I was. Vague copy feedback doesn't help anyone. "Spice this up" is an absolute classic. Related: "This needs to pack more punch." Another one: "Can we make this more fun?"
Helping Leaders Grow | Business Advisor | Leadership Coach | Speaker & Author | Turning Ideas into Action
1 年Erika Heald, thanks for hosting! Jenny Magic and I loved being part of the show. ??
AI-Accelerated GTM & Marketing-as-a-Service for Engineering-Led Startups & Mid-Market Scaleups | $1B+ Revenue Impact | 3x Global CMO/VP | Ex-Visa, Microsoft, PayPal | OG Marketer | Sensemaker | #gotimmarket
1 年Erika Heald this is such a great title! Can't wait to read it. Way to go!
Accelerating Revenue Growth by Bringing Sales & Marketing Together | Speaker, Workshop Leader, Consultant & Fractional CMO | B2B Marketing, ABM, Sales Enablement, Content Marketing & AI
1 年Erika Heald: thank you for the shout-out in the article. ????