How to provide copywriting feedback to your copywriter
You’ve made the smart decision to hire a copywriter to help you create the right messaging for your business.
You know that clarifying your messaging will help you attract better clients, increase visibility, and ultimately drive more sales and business growth.
You’ve handed over your project, and now you’re eagerly awaiting the first draft. But what happens when that draft lands in your inbox?
The real work and the real magic begin with your feedback.
Many business owners feel a sense of dread when it comes to providing feedback to their copywriter. You might worry about hurting the copywriter’s feelings, or you might simply feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to say beyond “I don’t like this”.
Your feedback is the single most important part of the copywriting process. It’s the key to turning a good draft into great copy that truly reflects your brand and resonates with your ideal clients.
The danger of “It’s fine” or no feedback at all
Imagine this scenario: Your copywriter sends you a draft. It’s not bad, but it doesn’t quite capture the energy of your business.
Instead of providing specific feedback on the copy, you say, “It’s fine,” or you simply don’t reply. The copywriter assumes everything is okay and finalises the project.
Now you have a new website or a sales page that feels a little… generic. It doesn’t reflect the real you or what your business stands for. You might even get more questions from potential clients because the messaging isn’t clear enough, which wastes your time and makes sales harder.
You’ve hired a professional to help you stand out, but you’re still blending in.
The result is a missed opportunity. Your copywriter’s expertise is only part of the equation.
Your intimate knowledge of your business, your brand voice, and your customers’ deepest pains and desires is the other.
Without your input, the copy is a well-written guess. With your client feedback, it becomes a powerful, targeted message that converts.
How to give feedback that makes a difference
The key to effective copywriting feedback is to be specific and constructive.
Avoid vague statements like “This just doesn’t feel right.” Instead, try to pinpoint exactly what isn’t working and, if possible, why.
Think of yourself as a director guiding an actor. You’re not trying to rewrite the script, but to help them deliver the lines in a way that feels authentic.
Focus on the “Why”.
Instead of saying, “I don’t like this headline,” try, “This headline feels too generic. It doesn’t capture the unique problem we solve for our clients, which is that they feel invisible online .”
This tells the copywriter what’s missing and gives them a clear direction for revision.
Be specific with your likes and dislikes
Point to a specific sentence or paragraph and explain what you like about it. “I love this paragraph! It perfectly captures the frustration our clients feel about trying to DIY their finances.”
This helps the copywriter understand what’s working so they can double down on that style.
Offer solutions, but don’t rewrite
You can suggest a different angle or a specific word, but trust your copywriter to do the heavy lifting of rewriting. For example, “Could we try a version of this that feels a bit more empathetic and less formal?” is more helpful than rewriting the entire section yourself.
Remember, your copywriter is on your team. They want to create something that gets results for you.
By providing honest, thoughtful feedback, you’re collaborating to create something truly exceptional.
Your feedback checklist: A collaboration tool
To make the feedback process easier, use this checklist for your next project. It’ll help you provide clear, actionable insights that will make a significant impact on your final copy.
Before you start reading your copy…
Here’s a mindset check: Are you ready to be a collaborator, not just a reviewer?
While reading the draft
Clarity: Is the core message clear? Does it immediately tell the reader what you do and who you do it for?
Tone & Voice: Does this sound like my brand? Does it reflect the real me? Or does it feel generic and amateurish?
Pain points: Does this copy speak directly to my ideal client’s biggest problems and frustrations?
Emotion: Does this copy evoke the right emotion? Does it make the reader feel understood?
Call to Action: Is it clear what the reader should do next? Does it inspire them to take action?
After you’ve read the draft
Identify strengths: What parts of the copy are working well? Point to specific sentences or paragraphs you love.
Identify weaknesses: What parts could be improved? Instead of saying “I don’t like this,” use specific questions like “Could this be more direct?” or “Does this sentence feel too wordy?”
Prioritise: What are the most critical changes that need to be made? What are the “nice-to-haves”?
By actively participating in the feedback process, you’re getting a powerful tool that will help you attract the right clients and finally break through that growth ceiling.
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