When should you accept feedback and when should you push back in copywriting?

Don't take every feedback. It is not for you. Check the credibility and authority of the source before accepting a feedback. Because feedback shapes your actions. Don't rely on week feedback.

I always view feedback as the focus group. Feedback is an opportunity to better understand the client's goals and the audience's perception. Use it to your advantage and take it as a learning lesson, regardless of source. Remember: Your goals are the client's goals. Don't make the mistake of thinking that copywriting is a way to express yourself. You won't last if you do.

Feedback doesn't matter in itself. It's your reaction to the feedback that matters. Every feedback is a learning opportunity. You can learn something from it or "push back"... Your choice.

One thing I found helpful is to look at feedback as a positive thing, no matter what it is. It is still someone taking time to evaluate something you wrote. That does not mean you have to follow the feedback, or change anything. But listen, and just take it into consideration. This is not about you, it is about the product.

All feedback should be accepted, but not necessarily actioned. Sometimes feedback can help reinforce a decision you have already made, even when it’s against your decision. As copywriters, the feedback can also spark new ideas, and allow content to be extended. If what can change a single article into an entire series.

I would divide my answer into three parts: 1. There is a verse that guides me in life and in copywriting: "Of all my teachers I have gained understanding, for your testimonies are my guide." I am open to criticism from anyone at any time. More than once, I have learned life lessons from my young daughter and elderly grandmother. 2. I put ego aside. Although I trust intuition, I avoid impulsive reactions. I try to understand others' perspectives, even negatively expressed ones, recognizing pain may underlie harsh words. 2. I engage most with those whose comments teach me something new. I tend not to reply to generic praise like "I liked it" without explanation of what resonated.

I agree that not taking all feedback is important. Sometimes clients like to use their own copy, but it’s not always going to appeal to your audience or engage them. It’s important to have an open discussion but push back when you feel you’re in the right.

It’s hard to accept, but there may be people whose feedback you can’t ignore or even disagree with, even if it appears to border on irrational or irrelevant. This may come from compliance or legal departments. Often times, what they say goes. Keep that in mind as you implement what they suggest. There may not be any wiggle room for you to push back. In those cases, deliver what they want.

In most cases, you should accept feedback; it’s someone trying to help. It doesn’t mean you have to implement it. If it improves the writing and moves the message closer to the objective, you accept and implement. If it goes against best practices, learnings, data or past results, then challenge it. Most feedback is subjective, so if you and the reviewer disagree — it’s up to both parties to explain reasoning and align on what’s most important for a decision.

I always accept feedback when the client says, "This isn't on-brand," or "This statement isn't correct." It is exceedingly important to me as a copywriter that anything I produce for my clients grows their authority and brand among their audience. However, if the feedback expresses discomfort with strategic approaches designed to maximize the success of the piece (such as a clear CTA or an accessible writing style), then it's time to talk to the client and explain my choices. If the client still isn't happy, I'll work with them to find a good compromise. The collaborative process often produces a more satisfactory result—if not in ROI, then definitely in the business relationship. Long term, that can be just as valuable to everyone.

More often than not, the reasoning I receive from a client regarding their feedback is that they didn't like it - or feel good about it. In the copywriting space, as a service provider, a big part of my job is to empower my clients to think effectively. And reason logically. Personally, unless they can convince me with proof regarding certain changes - I don't budge! I don't write copy without going through my processes and research - that means I almost always have reasons ready to back up my copy! :)

It's always important to remember that you as a copywriter are brought into a project for your industry expertise. The client will almost always know more about the subject matter, but they are also counting on their copywriter to push back in the name of creating the most effective piece of content possible. It is up to you to ensure that the content ultimately aligns with the audience and distribution goals.

The purpose of the feedback is so important. One of the authorities on writing said: "You must not make the reader work." Edits should benefit the reader. I've worked in higher education for about six years now, and higher education loves acronyms. However, "alphabet soup" doesn't serve the reader and should be avoided whenever possible.

When receiving copywriting feedback, one sometimes has to clarify its accuracy. Is the other person making the correct assumptions when giving that feedback? And would you be making the correct assumptions if you pushed back? Be sure.

I would add that, if you feel that the feedback distracts from the goal, you need to be able to explain why. It helps if you: * Have done extensive client-focused research in the industry * Have taken the time to understand the client's brand & focus * Have a good understanding of the marketing process & how this specific piece of copy supports it Also, the purpose should always be clarified in the beginning, before you start writing.

Ah, the purpose of feedback, guiding us through the maze of revisions and edits! Just like a referee in a game, you've got the whistle and the final say on what plays are fair and which ones get benched. So, whether it's a tip to boost conversions or a suggestion to rewrite your headline, remember—you're the one calling the shots on what aligns with your endgame.

Ważne jest aby budować z klientem dobrą relację, ufać sobie nawzajem, by komentarze w agencji nie były powodowane strachem, lecz chęcią stworzenia czegoś możliwie dobrego i skutecznego. Ważne też by rozmawiać z klientem, rozumieć go, ale też sprawić by rozumiał nasze zadania i cele, bo nasze cele to jego cele. Idealnie by było gdyby traktował nas jak eksperta a nie maszynę do pisania. Stąd ważne jest budowanie relacji.

A neat little tactic I use when trying to define purpose whether thats for articles or social media posts is to ask myself these 5 W's and a H. WHO is going to read your copy? WHAT are your audience going to gain from reading your copy? WHY do your audience care? WHERE are you sending them after they have read your copy? WHEN do you want them to read it? HOW are you going to present it? (Think about the format; Images, Videos, Long-form, Short-form).

If you're assigned the work of copywriting, it means, at the very least, you have been entrusted with producing effective copy. But, sometimes, what seems effective to you may not appear effective to the client. Feedback serves as a tool for fostering clarity - both for the client and the writer. Constructive feedback gives you a fresh perspective to think and write from — an obvious growth opportunity. But, when you encounter feedback that you may initially disagree with, it presents an opportunity to introspect, reaffirm your convictions, and effectively communicate your rationale. Such moments are also crucial for personal development. Pushbacks or helpful remarks, how you view them and choose to respond, ultimately shape you.

If you're philosophizing about objectives after turning in drafts, you probably don't have a writing problem. You have content strategy and project management problems. If you're looking at line edits, it's totally fine to ask for consensus on what you're trying to say and how. But you can also probably work with the feedback yourself. Don't tell people their feedback distracts or detracts! The AI is misleading here. Is this helpful? Like this post to lmk.

All feedback is good feedback even if it’s bad. Let me explain. You’re meant to be the expert if you’re hired to write something. So you should be able to spot when feedback is helpful or unhelpful. If it’s helpful, you’ve got a goldmine of new source to learn from. If it’s unhelpful, you can practice your reasoning skills as you push back. The process of explaining why your choices work helps you clarify your position. Which makes you a better thinker (therefore a better writer). No matter what, always be respectful. Feedback is the fastest way to learn and grow. If you shy away from it you’ll stay stuck.

All copywriting feedback is subjective. The only way to know for sure what will work best is to test it with a live audience. If you find yourself in a situation where a lot of feedback is being administered as objective truth, try to find a new job or client that better understands marketing. You'll learn a lot more working with veterans who understand everything is a hypothesis and how to systematically experiment in the direction of higher returns. If you find yourself feeling like you are objectively right about your copy, take a step back and realize that's just narcissism.

There is a genius sentence by Arthur Schopenhauer that says: "Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see." It is clear that the message needs to be clear in order to achieve the goal - this is the ABC of a copywriting course. But what is not taught in courses, only learned through life, is how to "hunt" the goal before it's even identified as a goal. Professor Dan Ariely writes about this in his brilliant book "Predictably Irrational." In general, an effective advertising message touches the subconscious even before the conscious mind has time to rationalize.

If the feedback is as clear as a bell, actionable like a to-do list, and as respectful as a well-mannered dinner guest, then you've struck gold! But if it's as murky as swamp water and as constructive as a wrecking ball, don't be shy—ask for clarification or justification. After all, your copy deserves nothing but the best!

This article reflects a bigger issue in society: that people are increasingly unable to handle criticism, no matter how constructive it is. If I care about someone, you can bet your arse that I will let them know if I see them slipping. That, of course, goes both ways--I demand that my friends and co-workers do the same for me. We're on this planet to learn and grow, aren't we? Of course we are. Neurobiology tells us that people actually learn from negative feedback more quickly than they do from positive reinforcement. Interesting, isn't it? The moral of the story is this: feedback is your friend. Embrace it as a tool in your toolkit and an opportunity to raise your level. You got this.

A good way to avoid poor feedback is to "defend" your copy upon delivery. * Sometimes, I book meetings where I present my copy, along with the research and thought that went into choosing words, paragraphs, structure, etc. * For smaller projects, I describe the same in a message. I never send out a file without explaining my thought process. That's an open invitation for someone to think their personal opinions should define the copy.

We've all received insane feedback. Don't take it personally. Just stay cool and ask follow-up questions that guide the reviewer back to a functional reality. Helpful? Like this post to lmk.

If the goal of the copy is to sell something to a specific audience, feedback should be viewed from that audience's lens (painpoints, desires, etc).

When I receive negative feedback, I first double-check what I wrote to see if I was indeed mistaken. If I made an error, I apologize, thank the person for their feedback, and make corrections. If I find no mistake, I usually don't respond. If the feedback seems angry, confused, or rooted in anger, I try to understand the underlying pain behind it. When I grasp where it's coming from, I address it and provide explanations. However, these cases are rare, as I believe good copy speaks directly to the customer, requiring little explanation.

When you get feedback, acknowledge it promptly first. If you start communicating your point of view right away, it might seem like you are getting defensive right off the bat. A better approach is to iterate the feedback and state your understanding of how it fits the goal of the content piece. Getting this confirmation is crucial because many times, such assumptions are the only reason for miscommunications. If you don't completely agree with the feedback, then state your perspective and offer your viewpoints and ask for suggestions on how it can be improved further.

Writing for a client isn't just about the *writing*. Just as important is explaining your thinking and process. Without it, the client is only seeing half the picture. They're seeing the finished product, but not the steps you took to get there: - The initial brainstorms - The discarded drafts - The small revisions You should also consider data, and what's worked in the past. If you have evidence to suggest that your ideas will work based on previous campaigns - in other words, logical rather than emotional reasons you stand by your copy - then it's important the recipient understands this.

In my humble opinion, if you have done your homework well, crafted a solid rationale with a sound strategy, you can argue for your creative. However, it may have issues and a kind gesture from a more senior creative than you would be a gift. But if the feedback came from someone who isn't working in the creative industry, you should stick to your opinion as he/she/them know nothing about the creative process and how much time and resources invested in it.

Knowing when to pushback against creative feedback depends very much on whether the source understands what you're trying to do or not. Many times, in the early stages, they might not understand (because you haven't explained or refined it enough yourself). In that case, you can consider trying to get through to them again.

I think this point is really important. It's important to convey your decision to the feedback-giving party and explain your rationale clearly. If you've received feedback from a client, this becomes more important (especially if you decide not to make changes as per their request). You must help them understand why and how your decision BENEFITS THEM and serves THEIR PURPOSE. Only then you can ensure client satisfaction!

The reason you're hired as a copywriter is because you fill a gap for your client. They likely don't have the same SEO or copywriting expertise, so their feedback is often coming from a more subject matter-focused perspective. When you receive feedback you don't agree with, your best bet is to detail your rationale behind your content/copy and how that will help your client toward their marketing goal(s). This is likely something they don't consider in their review process, so this can only help.

You know your copy the best. Why did you include certain options, why was there a lack of certain hashtags, why did you do what you did - these are all questions you must answer to provide a reasonable argument for your copy.

From a client's perspective, it's important to give space to the copywriter to justify their choices. Feedback is very complicated to give, but also to receive. So I always make sure to ask as many questions as possible while giving my feedback and listen carefully to their reasoning for what I'm asking. Because 99% of the time, there's a good reason for everything they did.

Anything that's logical is a must go, Imagine, if you're writing for different social media platforms such as Instagram and LinkedIn, both needs different style. So, if clients need a tonality change after the submission it's agreeable. Similarly for the same go, if the clients says the language isn't precise, headers needs to be changed. Push back without a second thought. Unreasonable feedbacks are from clients who aren't sure what they exactly need. You revise content for 100th time, you can't satisfy them.

What immediately jumps to my mind is SEO. Without proper SEO optimization, your webpages are not going to rank organically - it's that easy. If you have people pushing for you to change copy or structure in a way which would be detrimental to SEO, you should push back with explanations.

Let go of your ego. If the input makes sense, then listen and learn. You'll be a more accomplished, more professional, more successful copywriter.

Check if your personal biases or insecurities are keeping you from taking feedback. As writers, we are often too close to the finished product, and anybody else pointing out fault lines can be triggering. It's something I had to learn as a writer, too; to be able to accept that a comment on my work was not necessarily a comment on my ability to do that work well.

For me, the main question is always the same - did I doubt in my text in the first place? And then react for the feedback accordingly.

I think if you’re seeking perspective from a subject matter expert, feedback can be very useful. Otherwise, I always use my best judgment; does the input strengthen the message? Or is the suggestion preference-based?

In my journey as a copywriter, I've learned the importance of balancing feedback. I've come to appreciate input that aligns with the project's objectives or helps improve factual accuracy and grammar. However, when feedback becomes subjective or unclear, I've found it crucial to respectfully stand by my decisions, emphasizing their connection to the intended audience. Effective communication has been my guiding principle, ensuring the final copy satisfies my clients and also highlights my expertise in the craft.

Feedback is always better when received in a specific manner. If it's constructive feedback, is best to consider it once - however, changing your copy is a whole different thing. Change your copy only if you are convinced that the logic is better - not as good as yours but better. There is an opportunity cost of revision of copy - so if the feedback doesn't make the copy significantly better, you will have spent way too much time and effort on correcting it. This will lead to inefficiency.

Another aspect when navigating feedback in copywriting is understanding the context and timing of the feedback received. When was the feedback given? Early feedback might be broader, touching upon the general direction and theme. As the process evolves, feedback may become more refined, zeroing in on the intricacies of the language, tone, or structure. Recognizing the timing helps in discerning if the feedback is more about foundational changes or polishing touches. The context surrounding the feedback is important. If a client recently faced backlash for a campaign or if a new competitor has emerged in the market, their feedback may be influenced by factors that you're not immediately aware of. It all helps in interpreting the feedback.

If you're a freelancer or employed copywriter, the target audience isn't the only person you have to write for. Your client or boss is the one who decides whether or not the copy is "good" and whether it's going to be used. When your client or boss do not like your copy, stop and think about the feedback, and then if you disagree, don't try to justify it, simply explain ONCE why you think your copy will perform better with the target reader than the adjusted copy. If your client or boss still wants to make the changes, immediately drop the issue and do your best to make the copy exceptional under the new conditions.