Comments on: Feedback

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:01:34 +0000

Saved it, Jake! Yours wasn't the only comment in there, either. Gabriella's from yesterday landed there.

Another reason why Blogger is in my rearview.

Good point on introducing something small error to give them something to do. Normally, they find things wrong without my help, though! :)

Amen, Paula. I love when they use Track Changes, too. You can often see the rationale behind the changes better that way.

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:27:58 +0000

Every time I turn in an assignment, I ask the editor or client to let me know if they have any questions. In the editorial world, outside of direct quotations, there are few absolutes. If they don't like something – like Lori's example of the client who thought "leading" is overused – they need to tell me, and possibly even allow me to explain my choices.

Call me crazy, but I like when an editor uses the Track Changes feature on word. I can see the things they're changing, and learn about their particular editorial preferences. (And with one editor who said I "relied too heavily" on direct quotations, I could see how badly she paraphrased those quotes and correct her corrections.)

By: Jake P

Jake P — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:02:34 +0000

Hey LW, apparently my comment went to spam. Not sure what I said that was offensive! 🙂

By: Jake P

Jake P — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:12:16 +0000

If a client goes out of her way to give me good (clear, actionable) feedback, I will go out of my way to encourage it.

There's also a sales psychology element here: A skilled salesperson will often make a mildly incorrect statement or comment in order to give the prospect a chance to correct the error--and therefore establish authority in their own mind. Which is not to say that we want to make mistakes (!), but rather that a client/prospect taking the time to give feedback or revise something is making a commitment/investment.

The opposite of love isn't hate--it's indifference.

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:34:54 +0000

Exactly, Devon. It helps them see that their level of commitment isn't strong enough, though they probably wouldn't view it that way.

Likewise on feedback showing you who your best client is. I wouldn't work with the lecherous dude either, but he'd be easier to tolerate (and handle - I'm stronger than some weak man who can't behave like a grownup), but I won't put myself in the tiresome position of having to do so.

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:05:35 +0000

Feedback is very helpful. In teaching, the class evaluations help me plan future classes and even create new ones from the things the students want and need.

There are always a few who say I'm too strict or there was too much work (I'm sorry, if you expect to be a contracted, published novelist, you better be writing 1K a day -- when you have 3-4 days to do a 750 word assignment and you start saying you have "no time" -- you don't belong in the class).

As in your example, Lori, feedback also helps you decide who NOT to work with in the future.