Feedback is one huge aspect of blogging that is rarely discussed. Whenever you submit or accept guest posts, feedback usually occurs; however people usually don’t put much thought into how they are giving this feedback or how they are going to accept this feedback. They know what they want to say, and they know what they need to do, but is there a polite way to go about feedback in this industry? As a full-time guest blogger, I would say absolutely.
Feedback is inevitable in the blogging industry because there are quite a few things that can go wrong—incorrect information, poor grammar, ignored guidelines, wrong tone—and something needs to be said. Should you ask the blogger to fix the problems? Explain to them why you have to decline? Should you just decline? There are also many questions a writer can ask when he/she receives this feedback: Should I try to clean up the article? Should I explain why I’m right and the editor is wrong? These questions fuel the partnership between and editor and a blogger, so it’s important to really think about how you’re going to react.
Top 3 Ways to Give Feedback to Writers
Every blogger and every editor will have his/her own style when it comes to giving feedback, and this is of course completely fine. There is no “right way” to give feedback when it comes to blogging, but it is a good idea to really think about how you’re giving feedback and what offers the largest benefit. Below are a few different options and some of the results that come from these actions:
1. Fill the article with marks and ask the writer to make those changes.
This approach works well for some editors because he/she will be able to get an article that really fits in with the vision of the site. If you do this in a positive way and let the writer know that you liked the article but you need a few revisions, this can be a successful way to give feedback. However, this takes a lot of time for the editor and if the writer decides it’s not worth his/her time, you just lost some of your time.
2. Kindly tell writers why you have to decline the article.
Some editors don’t want to go through all the work of marking up an article for revision. In theory this seems like a great way to give feedback because you’re direct and the process is quick. However, some writers will not understand messages like this and will still try to fix the article. This could leave an editor reading over several articles and having to turn down a writer several times.
3. Simply say “no thank you” and don’t really explain why.
This is obviously the easiest method for editors, but it can come off as rude. Chances are a writer spent a great deal of time on an article so he/she wants to know why it was declined. This method probably only words if you were given an article that was blatantly for linking purposes or from a spam website.
So what’s the best way for editors to give feedback to writers? It’s all about what you see as the biggest risk. Again, there is no right way to give feedback; it’s just a good idea to always be conscious of what you’re doing, the consequences it will have on you, and how you make the writer feel.
How to Accept Feedback from Editors
This side of blogging is a bit more difficult to analyze because it comes second. How a writer reacts completely depends upon how the editor chooses to give feedback. In some instances, explaining to a rude editor why your article was great might be appropriate. The affect will likely be like in school: The teacher (editor) is always right. However, it’s important to stand up for your article and what you really believe is right.
In general, it’s best for a writer to take the feedback into consideration and really try and learn from it. If an editor asks you to fix an article and you believe the changes will help your article, spend the time making it happen.
How do you go about giving and receiving feedback when blogging? Do you find that a certain strategy has given you more success than another? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Interesting post, and is informative too. Responding awesome should always be there when it comes to giving feedback. 😀 thanks for this great post
Great post. I like the approach. It breaks responding down into basic steps that help formulate any response, which is a key to managing heavy feedback load. I’m going to forward this to our community managers.
What a compliment! Thank you so much…I would love nothing more than managers to really take a look. I have been in the position as editor and I know it’s tough, but it IS possible to give constructive feedback if you really stop and think about what it is you are saying. Let me know how they like it 🙂
It’s always hard to give feedback and there’s no easy way to do it or receive it. These are great tips. And if you are overly-sensitive, start submitting guest posts so you can start getting stronger and excellent feedback that will help you improve. On the other hand, if you are afraid to give feedback, start accepting guest posts. This will give you confidence.
I think you’re exactly right about the confidence factor. Feedback can be a stressful thing, so it’s important to put yourself in those situations so that you’ll know what to expect. As long as you are analyzing the way feedback is done you’re going to help make yourself a better blogger. This isn’t the most talked about aspect of blogging, but it’s such a huge part! Thanks for reading!
Hi Amanda,
We always need to remember that we must treat people with respect and offer a reason, if your rude. Then it might bite you in the bum in the future, never burn bridges you’ll regret it.
It also increases engagement and builds relationship and trust if we treat them with respect.
OH, I so agree. There is no reason to be rude on anything. But on the flip side some people need to not be so sensitive when reading criticism on their post.
Normally I’d treat others the way I’d like to be treated. I prefer it when someone points a few things I should fix to add more quality or value to the content I have produced.
It is a simple way to help fellow bloggers and it shouldn’t be forgotten that this can be a great way to build great connections and make someone’s day.
I love how you said “make someone’s day.” I feel like an editor really can make or break my day when I’m writing. It’s important to think about these things and analyze how you want to give feedback. You don’t have to sugarcoat everything, but you can certainly be aware of what you’re saying. Thanks for reading!
Sometimes both the blogger and the guest poster are in a fix specially if both of them are experts in the field. The question is, how do you ask them? Now that guest posts are more important than ever before, responding to feedback is going to crucial. Being polite is going to be off great importance.
I think you make a great point when you say that two experts might have a tough time engaging in feedback. This is why it is so so important to really think about what you’re doing when the time comes. Being too harsh during the feedback process could definitely come back to bite you as Simmeon and Puneet say. Thanks for reading!
I ALWAYS offer a reason why I’m declining an article, normally it is because the link to the author’s site isn’t related to anything my blog covers, something I have had to be strict about recently.
I feel like linking is a huge issue and can get many editors pretty heated (myself included); especially if the linking policy was clearly stated in the guidelines. Still, it’s best to give the author this reason and hope that eventually he/she will be more conscious of the links.
Thanks for reading Dean! I will have to head over to your blog soon and get back into guest posting for you–with relevant links of course 🙂
I think when giving and receiving feedback that people should remain positive and respectful. You can control the reaction to negative criticism by making sure you are not attacking the author or putting down his writing. And as a blog writer, you should always be open to constructive criticism. It helps you learn more and get better at what you do in the long run.
Been freelancing for a while now with an editor for one of the websites I write for and you’ve nailed it for responding to them. You have to understand that people with the website need a certain type of article (I’ve had to decline a lot of guest posts) while you also have to at least make an argument (even if not to get it published but to get feedback for yourself).
I’ve had to decline quite a few posts as well as an editor, so I’m glad you’re with me! Writers do need to understand that their articles won’t always get posted, but they don’t need to sit there and wonder why. An editor should let them know in some way (I think) to avoid going crazy!
Great article Amanda and a topic not often addressed…
Thanks!
Ryan H.
Sometimes I respond to queries nicely but sometimes these people tend to annoyed me in some ways and keep on sending the same email over and over again. So frustrating!
I completely know what you mean–I think every editor deals with that! Definitely the hardest part about really thinking about the feedback you’re giving.
Well just as a heads up, the first link in your author bio was misspelled and in option three the line “This method probably only words” I think you mean works, right?
I haven’t done a guest post yet, but I always strive for high quality and relevancy so some of these tips are a great reminder of just that!
Thanks for the post,
-Gabe
I definitely did mean “works” thank you for correcting me! And I don’t believe the first link is misspelled? I wanted to make my company name one word for that particular link for SEO purposes.
This site is a great resource if you’ve never written a guest post before, so you’re in the right place. I have been a full-time guest blogger for quite some time now, so if you ever need other resources or any more tips just find me on Twitter and I’d be glad to help. Thanks for reading!
I meant to say the link itself is misspelled and goes to an error page.
That’s one thing I learned the hard way: Check all your links before you go live. I sent out a broadcast to 1,700+ subscribers with a dead link and I’m sure you could guess how that went lol
that’s an important topic
when i send an article that doesn’t get accepted i feel better when i know why wasn’t it accepted
thank you
I myself do guest blogging as well as get many requests on my blog daily, It really feel like losing a valuable returning visitor if i disapprove a guest post
These tips seems to work like a charm, will try them out
There are very few editors who respond with positive reply when they decline article because reviewing article and suggesting writer about his errors is time consuming, so most of the editors prefer saying thanks when they decline.
I think that more and more editors are beginning to see the benefit in responding positively and giving a good explanation as to why a post was not accepted. Although it’s time consuming to do so, this prevents that editor from having to deal with that writer’s mistakes again, and they are able to keep that connection. However you are correct, some editors just don’t take the time–precisely why I wrote this post 🙂 Thanks for reading!
Hi Amanda,
Great article. I am following almsot of all your tips. No feedback or just “no thank you” reply is not a good idea. You should clearly explain the writer that what you want.
Thanks!
I think accepting the feedback is a little frustrating process than giving.
Those tips are really great.
Thanks for sharing,
Ehsan U.
I’m not quite sure I know which I think is more frustrating–I probably agree with you. Thanks for reading!
The process is frustrating for everyone, including the blog’s readers whom are deprived of content ;). Seriously, it is an extremely frustrating process for every party.
I like Ileane’s approach (not simply saying that since it is her blog 😉 ) where there are specific instructions to assist individuals whom wish to guest post. This way the expectations from a writer are clear from the beginning.
A smart idea for a blogger is to look at other posts to ensure that the topic selected, writing style, format, etc. matches up with the other posts.
I also agree that it is best to follow the golden rule and treat others with the same courtesy. A hybrid of options 1,2, and 3 that you listed in the original blog post seems appropriate for many situations.
For example, (1) provide a few suggestions, (2) decline the article in its current form, and then (3) provide no specific reason but a general ‘thank you’ if the guest author continues to provide posts not suitable for the blog.
Obviously, as you pointed out there is no ‘best’ method. However, this seems one way that is fair to all parties.
I have really a very bad habit to not give feedback !! But I am working hard to get rid of this habit and slowly slowly getting its benefits also..
The points you mentioned here are bulletproof and I will try them to become more engagable..
Hi Amanda!
Well, most of the guest blogger don’t really know about how they are writing feedback to the editor but I work on 2nd option like you should be polite and at least guide him/her how they can imporve on certain things and I think that is great way to accept and giving feed back.
Hi Amanda,
I think when it comes to Accepting feedback one need to remember than not all feedback will be good (especially when gust posting full time) and not all the feedback you have to respond to; this is important especially in online engagement and maintaining a solid yet credible online reputation and or image.
I think you make a great point when you say that 2 experts might have a tough time engaging in feedback. this is why it is so so important to really think about what you’re doing when the time comes. Being too harsh during the feedback process could definitely come back to bite you as Simeon and Punnet say. Thanks for reading!
No doubt first 2 options are way better than the last one. Generally a writer spend good amount of time in researching the topic and writing the informative article. But still editor finds something needs to be correct then he can ask for improvements rather than simply saying “NO”.
Hi Amanda,
Having had nearly 200 guest posts published on my blog in the last six months I have had a lot of experience from the editors side of the fence. One of the biggest problems for me was that my definition of a well written guest post, was quite different to some of the authors that submitted guest posts.
I spent a lot of time editing some of the posts because the grammar was not up to scratch, but looking back I think I should have just rejected them straight away. It is important to have high standards for guest posts as an editor, but you also have to value your time and spending 30 – 60 editing a post is not the best way to spend your time.
I’m now limiting the guest posts on my site, and also the blogging frequency. I want to post a few of my own epic posts a week, with a few quality guest posts sprinkled in.
Thanks for the tips 🙂
it has always been a difficult task for me to respond to the feedback and trust me u made my work so easy nice tips thanx for your good article
Hi Amanda…..
First time i am reading an article that is covering all aspect of Guest Blog related feedback.
You have explained the topic in a polite manner….
Thanks for sharing such a unique article…..
Haven’t gotten into guest blogging yet, but I’ve worked as a proofreader before too, so I think it won’t be difficult to understand my future editor’s feedback. Still, this post is a good heads-up for me. So thanks!
Thank you all so much for your comments. What I’m finding very interesting is that a lot of people have never seen an article like this or put thought into feedback–just what I suspected! In fact, this article spurred from a run-in I had with an editor.
i think you’re exactly right about the confidence factor. feedback can be a stressful thing, so it’s important to put yourself in those situations so that you’ll know what to expect. As long as you are analyzing the way feedback is done you’re going to help make yourself a better blogger. This isn’t the most talked about aspect of blogging, but it’s such a huge part! Thanks for reading.
Giving feedback to guest-bloggers is easy. The best approach is to simply be honest, straight and upfront about it and disclose the reasons why you think the article that has been submitted would not be a good fit for your blog. As someone who’s received his fair share of rejections and feedback, it can be a bit hard to accept feedback and any criticism that comes with it. It can be a confidence-shattering experience. Thanks for this insightful post!
Heavy thing to get a feedback for foreign English
Hard way to get them, many time learn and sometime with trial and error
Hi Ileane,
Thanks so much for this info. As a new freelance writer, I’m learning feedback is a necessary thing. I learning that this is a learning experience for me to develop better writing skills and not to take offense at the critiques given to me.
Thanks so much for the information. Sally
As a blogger – doing all the work yourself – the only way of getting feedback is by yourself or your visitors.
In general visitors don’t comment – or have the intention to give feedback (positive or negative). Create an option for them to send feedback. This could be achieved by a simple response form. I just did, it took me 20 minutes to implement.
A feedback form is a very interesting idea that I did not discuss in this article, so thank you for bringing it up! I think feedback forms can definitely be the right avenue for some so long as they are genuine. That’s great it worked for you.
Has anyone else implemented a feedback form?
For two years I very plainly stated in my feedback form that I don’t accept guest posts. But writers continued to send me requests anyway. THAT was rude. So I no longer write back to any of them. You may think the editor is rude, but it may be she is just FED UP!
A feedback is an important part of almost anything and everything. In the case of blogging, a person who does guest posts deserves a good feedback for his or her work whether good or bad. Appreciation is a good aspect in this situation. Corrections can also be made, this helps the blogger to improve.
Feedback is the best way of to improve our abilities. If someone gives his feedback it’s his ability and must concentrate on it either it is positive or negative.
I think you’re all exactly right! Laura brings up a great point–editors DO get fed up. However, I think that if an editor clearly states in his/her guidelines something, then it’s really the writer who is the rude one. Although the writer may not know it, it’s not up to the editor to always re-say what has already been said.
Hey Amanda!
I appreciated you for writing this helpful content. I very much agree to your first point. Many beginners like me don’t have much idea that what would be liked most in their content. In this case, if the owner asks us to change or add something in it then it would be so helpful to us.
Nice interesting topic.
I wanna say Nice Blog Always Giving nice and informative posts.
Many time my articles are also rejected, but i love to know why.
What a great compliment! Thank you for reading all of my articles–I’ve just checked out your website and it looks awesome! I’ll definitely be in touch about contributing articles to your site 🙂
I always make sure to respond to each comment on my blog, at least with a ‘thank you’ note. This way readers stay engaged with you.