You're struggling with vague feedback on your copy drafts. How do you navigate stakeholder input effectively?
Vague feedback on your copy can leave you guessing. To sharpen the input and enhance your drafts:
- Ask for specific examples. This helps clarify what's working and what isn't.
- Request priority levels for revisions to focus your efforts effectively.
- Suggest a follow-up meeting to discuss feedback in detail and ensure understanding.
How do you turn unclear comments into clear-cut improvements in your writing?
You're struggling with vague feedback on your copy drafts. How do you navigate stakeholder input effectively?
Vague feedback on your copy can leave you guessing. To sharpen the input and enhance your drafts:
- Ask for specific examples. This helps clarify what's working and what isn't.
- Request priority levels for revisions to focus your efforts effectively.
- Suggest a follow-up meeting to discuss feedback in detail and ensure understanding.
How do you turn unclear comments into clear-cut improvements in your writing?
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1. Explain you need more specifics. Be direct without being rude. They'll value this (or aren't worth your time). 2. Get a second opinion if you can (or compare to previous feedback they've given in the past). 3. Sometimes, you just have to do the best you can with what you have. This will be necessary in situations with short deadlines. 4. Remember that vague feedback is not your fault.
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Dealing with vague feedback can be frustrating, but I’ve found some ways to make it work: 1️⃣ I start by asking, “Can you share a bit more about what’s missing or feels off?” This usually opens up the conversation. 2️⃣ If they’re unsure, I’ll suggest a couple of tweaks and ask which feels closer to what they need. 3️⃣ I like to repeat back what I’m hearing in my own words—this helps us both get on the same page. 4️⃣ Sometimes I’ll say, “Let’s hop on a quick call,” because real-time chats often clear up confusion faster than emails. It’s all about keeping it collaborative and easy for them!
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Hearing feedback like "This doesn’t feel right" or "Make it pop" can be frustrating, but vague input is an opportunity to lead the conversation. Start by asking clarifying questions like, "What specific part isn’t landing for you?" Dig deeper into the goals behind the feedback: "Are we addressing the audience’s needs?" Present alternative options to spark discussion and explain your creative choices when needed. Feedback is rarely about the words—it’s about alignment with objectives. Treat feedback as a skill. The better you are at navigating it, the more valuable you become.
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1. If feedback is vague, ask specific follow-up questions like, “Can you elaborate on what feels off about the tone/structure?” This shifts the discussion from subjective opinions to actionable insights. 2. Revisit project goals and brand guidelines with stakeholders to ensure feedback aligns with the overall strategy. Frame the discussion around shared objectives. 3. Distinguish between critical feedback that affects outcomes and personal preferences that might dilute the copy’s purpose. 4. Present revised versions incorporating essential feedback while explaining your rationale. Keep the process collaborative to maintain trust and direction.
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There are three key components to assess: - Timing - Communication channel - Dissipating doubts Timing: You could catch your client in a bad day or they might not allocate appropriate time to discuss the project Comm channel: Sometimes people don't like the phone, emails, etc. Everyone has a preferred channel, ask and use that medium to communicate Dissipating doubts: Ask for clarity, if someone says "I want this to be flamboyant", ask what do they have in mind when using that word. It could be a painting, a movie, anything. Some people might lose patience, but it's either because of their schedule, the medium, or because they don't know what they want with clarity. Ask, and you shall be given
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