Tuesday, February 4, 2014

On the Importance of Feedback


In my newspaper days, the feedback was very real. It happened more or less on a daily basis and I generally had a firm grasp of my client’s attitude about my work. Here’s an example of a Tuesday morning:

Loud shout: “Hey Evie, where have you been all morning?”

I glance at my watch. It’s 9:30am and I’m just about to reply, when client pulls a newspaper from my overloaded arms.

“Did you see this? Our ad is next to the competition and it needs to be re-written immediately.” He flips open the paper and with shaking hands gesticulates at his ad. “This is ______ed up.” Add your favorite curse word because he probably used them all. Now I’m just about to ask why when he says. “We had a lot of calls and a lot of people showed up this weekend but very few buyers. Too many lookie-loos. We need buyers!!”

Setting down my briefcase, I nod and take notes. (Sounds like he needs to train his salespeople, but whatever--he doesn't seem to be in a mood to hear that-- right now.)

“Your_____________ing paper doesn't get us the best results. We need more results. Maybe we’ll start advertising in the competition. Can’t you write a good______ing ad? Get that ____ __ ____ graphic artist to do something right for a change and maybe we can get some buyers. Are you writing this down? What are your ideas for getting us more buyers?"

I’m taking notes and want to say something, but every time I open my mouth, he cuts me off.

“Have you seen that cute girl from the shopper? I might spend some of my million dollar advertising budget with her. What do you think?"

Have you read a book lately you enjoyed but forgot to write a review? Writers love feedback and just like the ad-writer in my very real story up above--most of us can handle the truth. Tell us what you think. Help us improve and we can respond by creating art, entertainment and books you might remember forever.

15 comments:

  1. Actually, I do need to write a couple reviews.
    You handled that guy better than I would've!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds like that client was high maintenance!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well, there's feedback and then there's just being rude. It doesn't sound like your client was very constructive.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Is that you, Eve? That guy needed to be well sorted out. I have done a number of reviews for those who are not involved in blog tours. The feedback was most positive. My reviews were, I believe, most thorough.

    Gary :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm so far behind on reviews, it would take me a year to catch up!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for making me laugh. I've filled in the blanks with a few cusses of my own and will be smiling for the rest of the day!
    I am very guilty of not leaving feedback, I tell friends about books I love but that is usually as far as it goes. I must do better!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yep, I filled in the blanks :) And reviews are so important. I make it a rule to review as soon as I've read, that way I don't forget. I used to say, I'll do it later, even leaving reminder notes, but later didn't happen. So, review always and expediently.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Reviews are really important.

    www.modernworld4.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I try to review everything these days. Feedback really is important, esp to writers. It does help sell the books.

    ReplyDelete
  10. So true! Reviews are really important. The feedback helps sell the product!

    What an awful boss:(. Hope you didn't have to put up with him too long!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I've been really good about reviewing things, but I'm not very good about getting them from my own readers. Or maybe I just don't have enough readers! Yeah, the might be the issue there.

    ReplyDelete
  12. That is an all to true reminder of my days working at a newspaper. I've never reviewed a book before and I'm afraid I'll screw it up but maybe I should just go for it.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great reminder! I read so many books but don't always review them. Reviews are so important. Thanks.

    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love this clever reminder! We do all love feedback and it is so important to write reviews of the books we have read and enjoyed. I just jotted down a few books I read recently that I need to catch up on. Thanks for the reminder- I will think about more to add!

    Also- very entertaining story from your newspaper days. :)
    ~Jess

    ReplyDelete
  15. One of my goals this year is to write reviews for the backlog of books I have yet to read. You are so right. Writers love to receive reviews.

    ReplyDelete