How do you manage feedback when proofreading digital copy?

Proofreading digital copy is not only about checking grammar, spelling, and punctuation. It's also about ensuring that your message is clear, consistent, and engaging for your audience. But how do you handle the feedback that comes from your clients, colleagues, or editors? Here are some tips to help you manage feedback when proofreading digital copy.

1 Be open and respectful

Feedback is not a personal attack. It's a way to improve your work and meet the expectations of your stakeholders. When you receive feedback, be open and respectful. Don't get defensive or dismissive. Listen to what the feedback giver has to say and try to understand their perspective. Thank them for their input and ask questions if you need clarification.

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Emma Dow

Freelance writer | My words are funny 🍭
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I always welcome feedback and invite my clients to be as seemingly brutal as they want. This is especially true for the first few pieces of copy I do. I want to understand tone of voice, language usage, and messaging. The more feedback I get, the more bespoke to the brand my writing becomes. By the third or fourth piece of copy, amends from feedback should become less time consuming.

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Yousuf Rafi

Written 3000+ blogs on technology, startup, health, and engineering | Published a book on Happiness | Ranked 150+ articles on Google | Cannot survive without coffee
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Managing feedback during digital copy proofreading is pivotal. Start by clarifying the feedback scope: grammar, style, structure, etc. Use tools like Google Docs or Track Changes for organized comments. Differentiate between subjective (tone or style) and objective (errors or typos) feedback. Address factual corrections immediately. For stylistic comments, consider the source and content goals. Always prioritize feedback enhancing the message for your target audience. Maintain open communication, and view feedback as a tool for refinement, not criticism.

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Tatheer Fatima _thewriter 🖋️

Get My Services and Make Your Mark with High-Impact SEO Content Writing!
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I believe feedback is important primarily because it gives you an objective evaluation of your work. I approach all revisions with a clear mind and ensure to apply it in future tasks.

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2 Use a feedback tool

Feedback can come in different forms and channels. It can be verbal, written, or visual. It can be delivered via email, phone, chat, or video call. It can be direct, indirect, or mixed. To avoid confusion and miscommunication, use a feedback tool that allows you to collect, organize, and track feedback in one place. A feedback tool can help you to see the changes suggested, compare different versions of your copy, and resolve feedback issues.

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Lawrence Payne

Award-Winning Copywriter & Editor - Sync Composer - YouTube Creator
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Feedback isn't something to fear but can instead be a healthy part of the process. Naturally, we tend to recoil when we see the word "feedback," but with confidence in our efforts as writers we can engage comments as questions as opposed to attacks. Often the comments will have merit, and they can be used to refine the text to the satisfaction of all. Occasionally, however, it becomes clear that pride of ownership is coveted by others. If one is writing for pay, it doesn't matter because, in the context of a book or other substantive text, the amateurish changes they make will appear as rusty nailheads. They're obvious to everyone else. So, learn to savor feedback. With quality clients the comments can be constructive and intelligent.

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3 Prioritize and categorize feedback

Feedback can be overwhelming, especially if you receive a lot of it from different sources. To manage feedback effectively, prioritize and categorize it. Prioritize feedback based on its urgency, importance, and relevance. Categorize feedback based on its type, such as content, style, tone, format, or layout. This way, you can focus on the most critical feedback first and address the feedback that relates to the same aspect of your copy.

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4 Apply feedback with judgment

Feedback is not always right or wrong. It's often subjective and depends on the context, purpose, and audience of your copy. When you apply feedback, use your judgment and expertise as a digital copywriter. Don't blindly accept or reject feedback. Evaluate the feedback based on its validity, accuracy, and consistency. Consider the feedback giver's role, background, and intention. And remember your copywriting goals, guidelines, and best practices.

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Emma Dow

Freelance writer | My words are funny 🍭
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It's important to push back if you feel justified to do so. For me, this is often on a point that will enhance SEO but the client lacks understanding of optimising for maximum visibility and engagement. Be eloquent, polite, and accurate. Challenge on both sides of a working relationship should be welcomed.

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Rasmus Hammarberg

Co-founder | CXO @ SPCE | Content Lead | Creative Copywriter | Writer
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Feedback is amazing and necessary. We need to get different ideas and opinions from people in different roles, with different backgrounds. After all, we're talking to people who are not us, and sometimes we need help to craft writing that is really for them. That said, as feedback comes from people in select roles, with select backgrounds, they will also come with a set of predisposed beliefs. An easy example is this: someone has been using Yoost and tells you your blog posts is not perfectly SEOd, they tell you that you need to use your keyword 3 more times. In such a situation, you need to feel secure enough in your own ability to tell them that over-optimization never helped anyone.

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5 Communicate your feedback decisions

Feedback is a two-way communication. It's not enough to receive and apply feedback. You also need to communicate your feedback decisions to the feedback giver and explain why you made those decisions. Communicating your feedback decisions can help you to build trust and rapport with your stakeholders. It can also help you to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts. And it can help you to showcase your skills and value as a digital copywriter.

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6 Learn from feedback

Feedback is a learning opportunity. It can help you to improve your copywriting skills and knowledge. It can also help you to understand your clients, colleagues, and editors better. When you receive feedback, don't take it personally or emotionally. Take it professionally and constructively. Reflect on the feedback and identify what you can learn from it. And apply what you learned to your future copywriting projects.

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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?

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How do you manage feedback when proofreading digital copy?

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1 Be open and respectful

2 Use a feedback tool

3 Prioritize and categorize feedback

4 Apply feedback with judgment

5 Communicate your feedback decisions

6 Learn from feedback

7 Here’s what else to consider

Digital Copywriting

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