How to Accept Feedback on Your Copy (This Changed Everything for me)

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about copy over the past six years, it’s this…

Good copy is a feedback sport.

No matter how good I think I am at writing copy, I know it’s impossible to know how good it is until I show it to somebody or send it out to an audience.

The truth is… every business is different. Each has their own goals. So what one person says might be completely different than what somebody else said.

You might hear about famous musicians struggle to “make it” in the music industry. Then they find another musician whose sound compliments them so well, and next thing you know they’re in a famous band together.

That’s why it was so important to me to get feedback on my copy. So I was lucky enough to have access to Patrick Bove, one of the head copy chiefs at Stansberry Research.

Patrick is not only an incredible copywriter in his own right, he’s also an incredible teacher, and I knew he’d give me something good to help me get better.

So I sent him an email I wrote for an online product. I also sent him a cover letter detailing why I’d love to work with somebody like him.

First, I’ll explain the email I wrote him. He liked my angle, but it didn’t quite mesh up with the product.

I was a little bummed about that. But he was right.

However, he really liked the concept I wrote about in my cover letter. It was about my first mentor experience back in 2017 when I learned I had a fear of my own success. Patrick suggested that I use that angle in my next email.

And boom – there you have it.

I now have a new story angle to use in my email.

If you’re ever doubting your copy, then find somebody you trust and get their feedback.

Kevin Rogers (the head of Copy Chief and one of the most genuine marketers I know) used to tell me that the great copywriters crave the harsh critique.

And I agree.

Now… you still have to be careful with who you take advice from.

There are a lot of people out there that love to have an opinion on something, and a lot of times they aren’t always right,

I’ve also found it’s a lot easier to critique others copy than critique my own – and the same thing goes vice versa.

But getting feedback from guys like Kevin Rogers and Patrick Bove was what really changed the course of my career. I wouldn’t be managing an email list for a 9-figure company at Oxford Club if I didn’t have the courage to ask for feedback. ::pats self on the back.::

Ok, enough there. The point is to get feedback from somebody you trust if you’re unsure your copy will sell.