A Copywriter's Worst Nightmare
The Copywriter Column #69
No, I’m not talking about when the anonymous platypus enters the Google Doc (although that’s terrifying AF).
I’m talking about client feedback.
Submitting any written work for review gives even the best copywriters anxiety.
Will they like it?
Will they tear it apart?
Will they declare me a genius?
Will this be what finally exposes me as a fraud?
As a writer, you’re lying if you say those thoughts never fluttered through your mind. You’ve spent too much time obsessing over that one sentence for it to not matter on some level.
But what do you do when NONE of that happens?
Instead of leaving either glowing or scathing feedback in the copy doc, the client says nothing of substance.
They might write:
“This could use some improvement.”
“I don’t like the way this sounds.”
“Interesting.”
These are all actual pieces of feedback I’ve received from clients before. My first thought — every time — was “WTF, dude?!”
In my early days as a copywriter, I took it personally. I read into their feedback as an attack on my writing ability, my creative process, and my decisions.
*tsk tsk* How short-sighted of me.
Nowadays, I realize the person reviewing my work hasn’t ever been taught how to leave helpful feedback.
So instead of getting all defensive, I teach them how to leave feedback that helps me improve my craft and write better copy.
Want to see my list of do’s and don’ts? Click here.
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