SEO Agency Tips: How to Receive Notes From Others

Did you create content for someone else only to find that they wanted changes that you weren’t anticipating? Have you ever felt a strain trying to create something for someone else that was exactly what they wanted? “The client is always right” is just as true as “the customer is always right.” The better you are at taking notes from those you create content for, the better content you’ll be able to make. These are some of the ways I’ve found to take notes best at our SEO agency. 

Now, I’m writing this from my perspective as a writer, podcast host, spokesperson, and more for clients here at Website Depot. But, you don’t have to be a professional content creator like me to get something from these tips. If you’re working on something for your boss, if you’re creating something for a colleague, investors, or anyone else, the odds are good that, at one time or another, you’re going to get notes. 

They’ll want you to make adjustments. Taking notes well is an important step towards creating great content today as well as tomorrow. 

The First Draft is Exactly That 

We all want to create the perfect content the first time. That’s just human nature. With deadlines being what they are, market pressures, and the like, we all want the first words we type (or say/etc.) to be absolutely perfect the first time. The truth is that they almost invariably never are. 

Sure, the first draft you send to the client/boss/and so forth should be your best work. Proofread it, go over it, read it out loud, double check it, do what you have to do, yes. But, at the end of the day, always remember that your first draft is your first draft. 

There’s Nothing Easier to Change in Life Than Writing 

Sometimes, when a client has notes about something, I’ll feel this very brief twinge of confusion. We’re really going to go to the trouble to change something I wrote? The truth is: that’s perfectly fine. Indeed, that’s how great writing becomes incredible writing. Writing is the easiest thing in the world to change. 

Yes, that may not have been true in the days of the typewriter. But, in a world with Google Docs, WordPress, social media, and the like, a new writing draft is as far away as the “backspace” button. 

Never get too “married” to your writing. Why? Because it’s just one draft, just one voice. When someone gives you notes, they most likely have different (or even better) information than you. 

With more information backing it, your content can become that much better. 

It’s good to be proud of your work. Stand by what you’ve done. Yet, always remember that when someone gives you notes, they only want to improve your work. That leads to my second point: 

Remember: You and the Client Want the Same Thing 

A million years ago, I was in a writing class. We broke into groups, and gave each other notes on our writing – exactly what you would expect. The instructor made a great point before we did so: “Don’t ever, ever be defensive.” That’s always, always good advice. 

Being defensive won’t just harm your content, it can harm your relationship, and more. Being defensive ruins more content than just about typo, any misstatement, incorrect fact, etc. 

When you’re defensive about your work, you haven’t even opened yourself up to the possibility of getting notes. You’re “shut off,” both mentally and emotionally. As such, when someone, anyone makes a suggestion about your work, no matter how good, you aren’t going to be in a place to utilize it.

Sure, perhaps you have enough wherewithal to be able to just robotically type in what they said. But, the odds that you are going to be able to process what they told you is not good. So, even if you get that piece of content right, you’re not likely to be in a position to be able to incorporate that information into future content you create for them. 

When someone gives you a note about your content, always remember that it comes from a good place. You both want the same thing: better content. 

“The Note Behind the Note”

Another piece of advice I got in writing class that helps me every day: “when someone gives you a note, listen to the note, but also listen for the note behind the note.” 

Case in point: say that one of my rehab treatment center clients has a note about some of my content. Perhaps they don’t understand why I wrote a certain blog mentioning a particular keyword. 

Should that happen, I take that note about the content, yes. But, I also direct them to our SEO agency professionals. Here at Website Depot, we have a whole team of pros in a wide range of disciplines. They know how to pick the keywords that can help a company to rank better. 

So, in this instance, the note “I don’t understand why you used that word” was actually “I wish to know more about our SEO strategy.” 

How We Do Notes at Our SEO Agency 

I always make it clear in every piece of content I create for my clients that I’m willing to rewrite it in any way from any point. Whether it’s making a couple changes or starting from scratch, I tell them I can do what they need. Of course, I also include a Google Doc with my original writing (and not just the posted link). That way, the client can make any changes themselves should they so choose. I figure it’s one more way I can be helpful and present for my clients. 

Help With Your Content and More 

This blog went into quite a bit about how we do content here at Website Depot. That said, we do a lot more than just content here. Indeed, I’m just one member of a team. We have other content creators, videographers, photographers, and the like. Each of us, working together, form not just an agency that does SEO, but an agency that provides omnichannel digital marketing. 

To schedule a free consultation, message us through this site or call.