For proofreaders and quality checkers, providing feedback is a core part of the role. Here at Topcontent, we work with a wide range of freelancers from a variety of backgrounds. Some of our freelancers are already very experienced, while others are just starting out on their journey as a writer or proofreader. It’s important to keep this in mind when writing feedback and to always remain professional.
In this guide, we’ll cover our expectations, give tips, and provide examples of feedback. Keep reading to make sure you’re on the right track!
Why Giving Good Feedback is Important
“People have a habit of becoming what you encourage them to be, not what you nag them to be.”
At Topcontent, we encourage our freelancers to always give feedback in order to continuously help fellow writers improve their work. Providing feedback is not just about pointing out mistakes; it’s about helping writers improve on what they know. Good feedback allows the writer to not only improve the text for the current task but also improve for future tasks.
We want to encourage our writers and help them become better. So, whenever you need to give feedback, always keep a positive and professional tone. Receiving negative feedback on a task you’ve worked hard on can already be disheartening, and we don’t want a writer to become demotivated. That’s why balance is important. Take a second to give positive feedback, too.
The Three Cs of Giving Feedback
There are many approaches to giving good feedback. At Topcontent, we urge you to keep in mind our “Three Cs”.
Comprehensive
By comprehensive, we mean that all changes that need to be made should be included in the initial feedback. A writer should not make all of the requested changes, resubmit the task, and then be given a list of further problems (that were already present). This is not only frustrating for the writer but also delays the delivery of a task. Also, keep in mind that a writer only has so many attempts before a task is auto-dropped.
Constructive
Feedback should be specific, short, and easy for the writer to understand. Identify specific problems that the writer can resolve. For example, don’t say “The text is hard to read and doesn’t flow well.” Instead, say “Please go back through and shorten your sentences so the text is easier to read.” Your feedback should contain clear actions to take. Otherwise, the writer may not fully understand what you want and the task will need to be returned again. Providing concise feedback saves everyone time.
Compassionate
Think about how you like to receive feedback and remember that the other freelancer is human too. Which do you find more motivating?
“This was really bad. You need to fix X and Y before I will accept the task.”
OR
“Thanks for the text, you did a good job following the client’s instructions. However, please fix the following: X and Y.”
Try to reinforce what they are doing right so they keep doing it. Even if it’s just a thank you for them taking the time to complete the task. Afterwards, point out what needs to be approved. Don’t be afraid to be specific.
When Feedback Should be Given
It’s always good practice to leave feedback! You don’t even have to return a task to leave feedback.
Giving feedback is a skill, and like all skills, it takes practice to get it right. Before giving feedback, make sure you remind yourself why you are doing it. Likewise, always be open to receiving feedback. Feedback is a way of supporting each other and being able to improve our work in the future.
Examples of Feedback
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Good Feedback – Minor Requests
Thank you for the article.
The transition words were incorporated naturally and the article has a great flow. You did a great job researching and fact-checking.
A few things need to be corrected before I can accept the text:
- Please incorporate the anchor text more naturally. Don’t put it at the beginning of a paragraph or sentence and make sure it fits with the surrounding text.
- Your paragraphs are a bit too long. Try to make them 3-5 sentences. That makes it easier to read and more organised.
- Try to use a friendlier and more personable, casual tone as the client is targeting a younger audience.
Thanks in advance!
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Good Feedback – Instructions not Followed
Hi there!
Overall, the article was very well-written. However, some of the client’s instructions haven’t been followed. Always remember to thoroughly check the SOURCE URL and make sure all instructions are followed.
For example:
- The first paragraph needs to include payment methods
- The review of the casino should be positive
- There should be no mention of bonuses
Please make these changes. Thank you!
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Bad Feedback – Not Constructive
Hi there, please go back through and make some changes.
Mistakes:
- There are factual mistakes
- There are a lot of grammatical errors
- The text should have more sections
- It’s too formal
Thanks!
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Bad Feedback – Too Harsh
This text needs a lot of work. It doesn’t seem like you read the client’s instructions at all.
Mistakes:
- Non-native phrasing
- Too many typos. Use a spellchecking tool.
- The sentences are too long and hard to read.
Read through the instructions and change the above. I can’t accept the task until this is done.