How to handle criticism as a freelance writer
Let’s talk about criticism for a minute. As writers, our fragile egos are subjected to feedback and edits on a regular basis (unless that’s just me).
In an ideal world, our clients would never have an ounce of comments on our work. But sadly, that’s just not realistic 100% of the time.
How do you deal with negative feedback in writing?
Here are 4 tips for gracefully handling edits or constructive criticism for a client.
Recognize client preferences
You can categorize clients in two primary ways when it comes to input.
The first gives you tons of details upfront. You’ll have access to documents on brand voice, target audience, and maybe even an outline before you get started writing. Having all of this information in advance reduces room for error in nailing the project brief.
The other type of client doesn’t have that level of detail about their project. As a result, they prefer to achieve the right one by reacting to submitted work. It can feel more brutal this way, since you’re more likely to get heavier edits with this client. But it removes the psychological burden when you realize it’s simply the way they like to work - they know it when they see it, or can pinpoint what they don’t like rather than being able to describe it themselves.
Limit when you check business emails
Reduce stress and increase productivity by avoiding the constant need to check and respond to emails. By limiting your email checking to specific times of the day, you’ll also be able to give your full attention to each email and respond more thoughtfully. Plus, setting clear boundaries around email use can help to improve work-life balance and prevent burnout, allowing you to disconnect from work and recharge outside of office hours.
Get your mindset right
The next time you get feedback from a client, I highly recommend skipping the existential crisis. Odds are, you are not a bad writer. You just needed a little more direction to fit the client’s needs.
Fix the situation gracefully
And by responding to those requests quickly and gracefully, you’ll be well-positioned to knock the next piece out of the ballpark.
When receiving writing edits, it's important to approach them with an open and positive mindset. First and foremost, try not to take the edits personally and instead view them as an opportunity to improve your work. Take the time to carefully review the feedback and make necessary changes, keeping in mind that the ultimate goal is to produce the best possible piece of writing.
If you have questions or concerns about certain edits, it's okay to ask for clarification or to provide your reasoning for a particular word choice or phrasing. However, it's important to do so in a respectful and professional manner, avoiding defensiveness or argumentativeness. Ultimately, the key to responding gracefully to writing edits is to remain open, receptive, and collaborative in your approach, working together with your editor to produce a polished and effective final product.