“This doesn’t work, please fix.” Ugh. Of all the content feedback examples, this one really takes the cake. We’ve all been on the receiving end of writing feedback that just isn’t helpful. All good content marketing writers aim to produce content that needs minimal fixes, but they can only do that if they know what their client is looking for.
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3 Content Feedback Examples to Shorten Review Cycles (Transcript)
Hi SaaS marketers! Emily Amos here from Uplift Content.
“This doesn’t work, please fix.” Ugh. Of all the content feedback examples, this one really takes the cake. We’ve all been on the receiving end of writing feedback that just isn’t helpful. All good content marketing writers aim to produce content that needs minimal fixes, but they can only do that if they know what their client is looking for.
You already know that working with a B2B SaaS content writer can be a lifesaver when you’re slammed with projects. A surefire way to fast-track their success is by providing clear, helpful feedback on their content.
This is a win-win because it strengthens the quality of your content and will save you time as your writer gains a better understanding of your business. Today, I’m going to give you 3 content feedback examples to ensure you get great B2B SaaS marketing content from your writer—with less hand-holding.
Content feedback examples
#1: Organize your feedback by theme
Keep your content feedback clean and organized. The more marked up and cluttered a document gets, the more likely it is your writer may miss a piece of feedback. Rather than noting every single instance of an error or area for improvement, address these issues as themes.
For example, if your writer has used incorrect punctuation in a few places, you can make one comment that says, “Please comb through this document again to remove any Oxford commas.” This can also apply if your writer has started several sentences in passive voice or if they’ve used a particular formatting style that isn’t working well.
This content feedback example is worth the effort because it will prompt your writer to read their work carefully before submitting their next draft. This will save you time, too.
#2: Deliver positive and negative feedback separately
It’s important to provide content feedback on both the things that worked in the content and the things that didn’t. That said, you should keep these types of feedback separate.
For example, don’t comment, “I really like how you told the story in this case study, but the quotes you used fell flat.” This is confusing because it’s not clear what worked in the story. Instead, you can say, “I really like how you told the story in this case study—it flows well because the sentences are concise and the language is interesting.” Then in a separate comment, ask, “Could you edit the quotes so they speak more directly to the impact the customer got from the solution?”
This content feedback example is worth your time because the more clarity your content marketing writer has on how they can improve, the faster they can take action to deliver marketing content that converts.
#3: Ask questions that lead the writer where you want them to go
Another way you can help hone your writer’s skills is by giving them feedback that’s clear on the direction you want them to go in, rather than simply rewriting their copy yourself.
For example, instead of taking the proverbial red pen to your B2B SaaS writer’s work, you can ask, “Do you think this paragraph could be more engaging with more active language?” A good writer will revisit the text and make it more dynamic. You could also ask, “Do you think this quote explains the point clearly, or could it be paraphrased?”.
This content feedback example will help build your writer’s skills in a way that gets them to do the thinking themselves. They’ll become more familiar with your preferences and will be better equipped to get you the results you’re looking for.
Content feedback examples: a recap
We just went through 3 content feedback examples to help drive high-performing marketing content in your business. Remember to organize your feedback by theme, deliver positive and negative feedback separately, and ask questions that lead your writer where you want them to go.
How to deliver your content feedback
You’ve just seen 3 content feedback examples, so now you’re ready to learn how to deliver your feedback so it’s thoughtful, clear and constructive.
Business benefits of good content feedback
When you give your writer feedback that’s direct, and highlights both positives and negatives, it makes communication smoother and saves time on revisions. Good feedback helps your B2B SaaS writer hone their skills quickly, which in turn gets you the results you’re looking for faster. Follow these 4 tips on how to give constructive feedback on content:
Tip #1: Read the entire piece of content before you provide feedback
It can be tempting to edit enthusiastically from the get-go when you’re reviewing copy, but a little restraint goes a long way. Before you give your writer feedback on their content, read until the end of the piece. Your writer may address your comment or question further along in the copy.
Saving yourself time isn’t the only benefit to this tip. Reading a draft in its entirety before editing gives you the context you need to ensure your feedback is useful. This is also how you get a high-level picture of whether the piece makes sense, hits on all the key points and tells a compelling story.
Tip #2: Get your team on the same page with their edits
When you have feedback from multiple team members on a piece of content, try to filter all comments through one person. This is important to ensure none of the feedback is contradictory. After all, you want your writer to focus on crafting a great story, not on trying to figure out whether to listen to Michelle or Dan. This may require a quick internal sync before each document gets sent to your writer, but it’s worth your time.
Part of giving your writer feedback that’s clear includes establishing who has the final say on revisions, and communicating this information to your writer. Getting on the same page internally leads to efficiencies during the review process.
If you’re not sure how to implement a review process, try using Google Docs. This will ensure all content feedback is captured in one place, and you’ll avoid having individual versions of documents floating around.
Tip #3: Be specific about what needs to change
It’s okay to tell your B2B SaaS content writer when something isn’t working for you (an experienced writer knows that critical feedback isn’t personal), but you need to tell them why so that they can fix the problem. The more specific you can be when you give your writer feedback, the faster they’ll be able to address issues and deliver high-performing marketing content.
Confusion due to unclear communication leads to more time spent in the editing phase, which is not only inefficient, but totally avoidable. One way to avoid this is to properly onboard your writer to set them up for success.
Tip #4: Make a point to give positive feedback, too
We’re all strapped for time, so it might seem easiest to point out the problems with a piece of content and move on to your next task. However, it’s worth your time to highlight what your content marketing writer has done well. It’ll make them feel good, but more importantly, giving your writer feedback that’s positive will help them learn your preferences.
Get ready for your marketing content to shine
Now you know how to give constructive content feedback to your writer. Remember to always read their work in its entirety before you start editing, get your team on the same page, be specific about what needs to change and highlight what worked. Let your writer know they can voice their ideas, too, and you’ll have open communication and stellar marketing content in no time.
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Originally published December 3, 2019. Updated December 15, 2021.
