Even experienced creators sometimes get feedback. The brand knows its target audience, product and guidelines best, and sometimes sees things you couldn't have known. How you handle feedback says a lot about your professionalism, and brands remember it.
The right mindset
Feedback is about your content, not about you. A request for changes doesn't mean your video is bad. It means the brand wants to get the best out of it together with you. See it as a collaboration.
How to handle feedback
- Read everything calmly. Read all the feedback before you respond. If you feel irritated or disappointed, give yourself a moment before replying.
- Make sure you understand it. Is a comment vague, such as "a bit more energy" or "make it more dynamic"? Ask what the brand means exactly. A short question prevents a second round of revisions.
- Confirm what you'll do. Briefly let the brand know you've received the feedback and when you'll deliver the new version.
- Make the changes. Work through every point. Use the feedback as a checklist, so you don't forget anything.
- Check before you resubmit. Go through all the feedback points again and check that you've handled each one.
- Say what you've changed. When you resubmit, add a short note about what you've adjusted. This makes it easy for the brand to check.
Example message
"Thanks for the feedback! Just to check I've understood correctly: you'd like the product to be visible earlier in the video, and the opening to be shorter? Then I'll send you the new version by Thursday."
When can you politely push back?
Sometimes feedback goes beyond what was agreed. In that case, it's fine to raise it politely.
- Feedback that conflicts with the brief. Refer to the brief in a friendly way and ask which direction the brand prefers.
- New requirements. If the brand asks for something that wasn't in the brief, such as an extra video or a different format, that's additional work. Discuss this before you start.
- Claims you can't back up. Don't say things in your content that aren't true or that you haven't experienced. Explain this calmly to the brand.
- Many rounds of revisions. If revisions keep coming, ask for one clear overview of all the remaining points. Can't work it out together? Contact Influentials support.
How to prevent revisions
Most revisions can be prevented. Read the brief carefully, ask questions before you start filming, make a checklist of all the requirements, and check your content against the brief before you submit it.
Common mistakes
Watch out for responding defensively, only handling part of the feedback, guessing what the brand means instead of asking, missing the deadline for the new version, and taking feedback personally.
Ready to start? Sign up as a creator and get matched with brands looking for content like yours.