How to Give Effective Feedback to A Copywriter: 6 Tips that Get Results!

Are you a service business owner who is currently working with a copywriter? But you’re unsure if you’re getting the most out of your collaboration? To get the best results, you need to provide constructive feedback to your copywriter when they send you the first draft back. But in my experience, many clients don’t know how to give effective feedback. The kind of feedback that will take their content to the next level. Or they may want to avoid offending me by suggesting changes.

But working with a copywriter is a collaborative process, and a copywriter not only wants but needs your input. So, I expect that there will be edits and changes from my clients. Sometimes they love everything I write – which is great – but other times, the copy requires a tweak or two. Like anything in life, the more effort you put into this process, the better the results for everyone.

While I love nailing the copy and getting it right on the first attempt, I’d rather go through a couple of revisions with a client if they aren’t 100% in love with their content. That way, you get the satisfaction of fantastic copy for your business, and I get the satisfaction of meeting and exceeding your expectations.

In this blog post, we’ll explore how to give effective feedback to a copywriter – and 6 tips that get results fast! So you’ll end up with content that accurately reflects your business, engages your target audience, and achieves your goals.

1. Are all the facts correct?

The first thing to consider when giving feedback is to ensure that all the facts in the copy are correct. It’s essential to ensure no factual errors or inaccuracies in your content. This is especially important if you’re writing about your products or services. If you find any incorrect information, point it out to your copywriter and provide the correct information.

Tip: Double-check all the facts in the first round of revisions before your copywriter does a rewrite. This will help you save time and ensure the copywriter has all the correct information to polish the final content.

2. Is there any information missing?

Next, check if there’s any information missing in the copy. Your copy should cover all the essential details about your products or services. Make sure that your copywriter has included all the critical information about your business, such as your business hours, processes, contact information, and other important details.

When you see the first draft of your copy, you may realise you should have mentioned an essential point about your services to your copywriter. This is completely normal and is exactly why most copywriters give two rounds of revisions. No one knows your business as well as you do, so your copywriter won’t be annoyed if more information is required. Just make sure it stays within the scope of your original project proposal.

Tip: Create a checklist of all the essential details that should be included in the copy. This will help you ensure the copywriter covers all the critical information.

3. Are all your services and their benefits covered correctly?

When writing about your products or services, it’s essential to highlight their benefits. Make sure that the copywriter has covered all your services and their benefits correctly. Doing this will help potential customers understand why they should choose your products or services over your competitors.

Again, no one knows your business as well as you do, and although most copywriters are skilled at writing benefit-driven copy, it still needs your input. So, if there’s something about your services that your clients love and your copywriter still needs to mention it, let them know.

Tip: A copywriter usually talks with you about the benefits of your services during the briefing stage of your project. The briefing stage occurs before the copywriter sits down and writes your copy. Try to give your copywriter as much detail as possible during this stage to avoid needing lots of revisions after the first draft has been delivered.

4. Is any information unnecessary and can it be deleted?

Sometimes the copy can become too wordy, and some information may not be necessary. I know I can sometimes overdeliver and provide too much information, while some of my clients prefer the less is more approach to copy.

Ensuring that your copy is concise and easy to read is essential. If you find some of the written content your copywriter has provided is unnecessary, point it out. I always tell my clients: this is your project, and I’m here to deliver what you want (not what I want). If that means editing the text to make it more concise, I’ll do it without a problem.

Tip: Tell your copywriter your expectations regarding the length of a piece of copy before they start writing. I usually ask about word count and your thoughts on the project length during the briefing process. It always helps to know what you want the result to look like before I start – saving everyone time and effort. But some clients may not know what they want until they see the first draft.

5. Are there any awkward phrases or things that you wouldn’t say that your copywriter should rewrite?

As a business owner, you know your brand voice better than anyone else. So if you find any awkward phrases or words you wouldn’t say, let your copywriter know. Your copy should sound like it’s coming from you and reflect your brand voice. A copywriter will do a great job of nailing your brand voice but may not get it 100% right everywhere. So, your input is so important.

Tip: Read the copy aloud and see if there are any awkward phrases or things you wouldn’t say. If you find any, give this feedback to your copywriter so they can rewrite the copy that grates.

6. Does the tone of voice suit your business brand and ideal audience?

Finally, checking that the tone of voice in the copy suits your business brand and ideal audience is crucial. The tone of voice should be consistent with your brand and connect with your ideal client/audience.

Tip: During the briefing process, let your copywriter know about your business’s brand voice. This might include showing them your content samples that best showcase your brand voice. Describe your brand voice to your copywriter, such as saying your voice is cheeky and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Your copywriter will also ask questions during the briefing to get a feel for your brand voice and research how your ideal customers sound.

How to Give Effective Feedback to A Copywriter in a Nutshell

Providing constructive feedback to your copywriter is essential to your collaboration and is not only needed but expected. Remember that this is your project; the more effort you put into it, the better the result. Some clients did not give me any feedback, but I could tell they weren’t 100% in love with the copy. However, without their feedback, there was nothing I could do. Always be specific with your input and provide examples to help your copywriter understand your suggestions.

Don’t be afraid to ask for changes, as no one knows your business as well as you do. But do listen to your copywriter if they suggest improving your copy. I only want to get my clients the best results from my written content.

Clear communication and collaboration are crucial to creating copy that accurately reflects your business and engages your ideal audience. With these tips in mind, you can work with your copywriter to create content that effectively communicates your message and helps you achieve your business goals.
If you run a service-based business and want to collaborate with a copywriter on your next project, get in touch. I offer various services, from copywriting to content writing to website copywriting. Explore my website to find out more.

If you run a service-based business and want to collaborate with a copywriter on your next project, get in touch. I offer various services, from copywriting to content writing to website copywriting. Explore my website to find out more.