What do you do if you receive feedback that is vague or unclear?

As a writer, it is crucial to seek feedback from individuals with credible expertise and extensive experience in the field. However, it is essential for the feedback to be both concise and descriptive, as it serves as constructive criticism. The more detailed and honest the feedback, the better it will be in strengthening your skills and expertise.

When faced with vague feedback, I reach out to the person providing it to understand their expectations better. For instance, when a client tells me they want the copy to be "more engaging," I ask specific questions to understand what aspects of engagement they're looking for, such as tone, storytelling, call-to-action effectiveness, etc.

Don't hesitate to ask questions about the feedback. You shouldn't feel defensive about feedback but if the feedback is vague, you can ask good questions to help you arrive at a better understanding of the feedback.

Before jumping to reply to the feedback or asking questions, take a moment to yourself and reflect on the feedback. Sometimes, what seems unclear at first might make more sense after giving it some thought.

Before reacting, I take a moment to analyze the feedback and consider how it aligns with my understanding of the project. Recently, after receiving ambiguous feedback on a campaign slogan, I paused to review the project brief and my initial goals. This helped me identify areas where clarification was needed and prevented me from jumping to conclusions.

I make sure to document the feedback and any subsequent discussions for future reference. For instance, after receiving unclear feedback on a product description, I documented the client's comments and the revisions made based on our conversation. This helped me track changes and ensure the final copy met their expectations.

If you write on social media and online, then automatically all feedback is recorded and documented on the platforms but it also helps to have a database of the feedback you receive. It can be a diary entry in a journal.

After seeking clarity and making revisions, I follow up with the client to ensure the changes address their concerns. For example, after revising a blog post in response to vague feedback about the tone, I followed up with the client to confirm if the new tone better aligned with their expectations and brand voice.

Based on the clarified feedback, I take action to revise the copy as needed. For instance, after understanding that a client's request for "more excitement" in a social media post meant incorporating vivid language and compelling visuals, I made the necessary adjustments to meet their expectations.

Throughout the process, I remind myself to maintain perspective and not take vague feedback personally. Recently, when a client's feedback on a headline was unclear, I stayed focused on the project goals and remained open to their suggestions, ultimately leading to a collaborative solution.

In addition to the above steps, it's essential to consider the context of the feedback and any underlying reasons for its ambiguity. For example, if a client's feedback seems unclear due to lack of familiarity with copywriting terminology, I take the opportunity to educate them and establish clearer communication channels for future projects.