Michael Myers

Feedback

Writing, and the fear of feedback.

Ask yourself this question; What does my site say about me?

Sometimes it’s an easy question to answer, sometimes it’s extremely difficult. Moreso, your site may say one thing to you but something entirely different to everyone else. When I write an essay, I may find myself clear and substantive, and my writing elegant and meaningful. Others read it and say, I get what you’re trying to do but you lost my a while back.

The most important thing you can do is invite commentary, feedback, and suggestions but not just from your friends. Rather, ask for people to read your work that have no vested interested in preserving your feelings or friendship. If you ask for bold critique, you will only get it from those who trust that you mean it.

Thoughts? Comment below.

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29 responses to “Feedback”

  1. Brendan Avatar
    Brendan

    Hi Michael, I agree completely. It’s hard to post something to the entire internet at once while knowing that anyone on the planet may find it. At the same time, this is the most objective audience you can find!

    Reply
  2. pok3yvon Avatar
    pok3yvon

    Here’s my comment for WordPress. I dont fear feedback so not for me

    Reply
  3. Veronique Fick Avatar
    Veronique Fick

    I like the picture in this blog post and the way it’s laid out. Noticed the fonts are different from the title and paragraph. Colors are easy to read with and I like that the text shows on the left of the picture.

    Reply
  4. Brandon Avatar
    Brandon

    Good morning Michael!
    My response to the reflection question is that I appreciate simplicity. For my website, I would like it to be easy to navigate and read through. The design should encourage people to focus on the contents rather than getting frustrated with the navigating or messing with parts of the website that don’t get rendered correctly.

    Reply
  5. Gwendellyn Avatar
    Gwendellyn

    If you do want to relay your content better and improve as a writer, you have to get objective feedback, I think most especially from a person that might not have any or little knowledge on the topic posted. They will be able to let you know if it’s understandable, what needs to be tweaked, what isn’t working, or what needs to be expanded on.

    Reply
  6. Zainab Al-Qaraghuli Avatar
    Zainab Al-Qaraghuli

    Some people don’t ask for feedback, they might worry that the feedback will be negative. For me, even if it’s not clear or the visitor didn’t like what I have, that’s fine. We have to accept and get the positive and negative feedback. I post what I have depending on what I need, could be my opinion, analytical and even my imagination. And let them say whatever they want.

    Reply
  7. Joshua Avatar
    Joshua

    Responding for a grade

    I really love your comment on feedback that isn’t just for friends but the people around you

    Reply
  8. Alejandra Hernandez Avatar
    Alejandra Hernandez

    Hi Michael, I agree with this post, it’s hard to hear back what is wrong with your site or what needs to be changed but for us to learn and be able to gain an audience, we have to hear criticism on our work. There’s also the difference between constructive criticism and criticism that is in a negative tone and meant to bring down your work.

    Reply
  9. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    Feedback certainly is intimidating to solicit, but it is easy to lose sight of what neutral observers think about your work.

    Reply
  10. Chad S. Hawks Avatar
    Chad S. Hawks

    Getting over the fear of feedback is one of the most difficult challenges of being a committed writer seeking to improve. I completely agree with your thoughts on being selective in who is asked to read work. Family is an easy and available choice, but unless a family member is perhaps an avid reader and can be trusted to be critical and blatant, then there’s not much feedback truly gained. Looking for alpha or beta readers is a great way to get helpful feedback on one’s writing. Better still is to offer to read another writer’s work as this frequently leads to an exchange of reading duties and one can pick up some great tips from new reading friends.

    Reply
  11. Haregewein Bisetegn Avatar
    Haregewein Bisetegn

    Hi Michael, I agree with your post as well. It’s interesting how the same writing or website can be interpreted in very different ways depending on the viewer. I also liked the idea of inviting feedback from people who aren’t personally invested, since it can give more honest and useful perspectives.

    Reply
  12. Bryden G Avatar
    Bryden G

    Feedback can be a scary thing to ask for, especially if its from the internet as a whole. But sometime other peoples perspective can be very helpful as I can get tunnel visioned on certain things.

    Reply
  13. Aliiyah Bryant Avatar
    Aliiyah Bryant

    I found the feedback given on usability really helpful, especially the emphasis on keeping layouts simple and easy to navigate. It made me think more intentionally about how visitors interact with my site.

    Reply
  14. Miguel Olivares Avatar
    Miguel Olivares

    I agree with your post, feedback is suppose to be helpful, at times receiving feedback might make you upset if you get feedback that you might not agree with but its their to help you improve and not their to make fun of or to make you feel bad. Feedback is meant to help improve the creator to improve their work for everyone to enjoy. it should always be met with a positive solution instead of a negative “attack” from the user leaving the feedback

    Reply
  15. Sheeba Siawash Avatar
    Sheeba Siawash

    Hello Dear Professor Michael,

    This post made me think about my writing. Sometimes I feel confident, but feedback shows me things I did not notice. Honest critique can be hard, but it is necessary for growth. Thanks for the reminder.

    Reply
  16. zohal Avatar
    zohal

    This post explains feedback very clearly. I like how it shows the importance of responding to users and improving content based on comments.

    Reply
  17. Rachel Boursia Avatar
    Rachel Boursia

    I thought this post was an interesting idea because it can result in multiple perspectives that you might not otherwise consider. I can definitely see the benefit of receiving feedback from a stranger since there is typically less bias and more objectivity. At the same time, I believe feedback from people in your personal circle is just as valuable, especially when they feel comfortable being honest rather than protecting your feelings. Constructive criticism helps identify blind spots and areas for growth that we may overlook on our own. I don’t assume my work is ever perfect, which is why I often send drafts to my mother and my boyfriend for review. We brainstorm together, and I use their input to refine and strengthen my final version. For me, combining outside perspectives with trusted feedback creates a more well-rounded result.

    Reply
  18. Iman Ekong Avatar
    Iman Ekong

    All of my marketing experience leans towards the goal of engagement. Although, I would not want to have a bunch of bots and trolls replying.

    Reply
  19. Eftu Muleta Avatar
    Eftu Muleta

    Thank you, Professor Michael! This really made me think about how my site comes across to others. I like the idea of asking for honest feedback from people who aren’t just friends, it’s a good reminder that sometimes we don’t see what others do. It also makes me realize that clarity and meaning in my writing aren’t just for me, but for anyone reading it. I’ll keep this in mind as I continue to improve my site and my writing.

    Reply
  20. Rim Avatar
    Rim

    I appreciated how the article explained the importance of honest feedback. It helped me think about ways to improve my website.

    Reply
  21. Yelyzaveta Avatar
    Yelyzaveta

    I think feedback is important because it helps writers understand how others see their work. Sometimes it is hard to hear criticism, but it can help improve ideas and writing skills.

    Reply
  22. Isaac Musuayi Avatar
    Isaac Musuayi

    This resonates. The gap between what we think we’re saying and what others actually read is real. Honest feedback, especially from people who aren’t protecting our feelings is uncomfortable but necessary for growth. When someone says “you lost me,” that’s valuable insight, not rejection. Separating ego from work turns critique into strategy and improvement.

    Reply
  23. John Martinez Avatar
    John Martinez

    Feedback can really dictate how you respond and how you react to it. i have definitely had some not so good feedback so and some positive feedback as well

    Reply
  24. Le Nguyen Thuy Duyen Avatar
    Le Nguyen Thuy Duyen

    Hi Michael, I felt the feeling of trying to express myself in my best way and somehow people will still be seeing me not in a way how had express myself. And although I know that asking for more honest feedback on my work may result in a few harsh comments, but it is truly the best way to actually get better.

    Reply
  25. Le Nguyen Thuy Duyen Avatar
    Le Nguyen Thuy Duyen

    Hi Michael, I felt the feeling of trying to express myself in my best way and somehow people will still be seeing me not in a way how had express myself. And although I know that asking for more honest feedback on my work may result in a few harsh comments, but it is truly the best way to actually get better.

    Reply
  26. Shelly Avatar
    Shelly

    Hello Michael. I am open to feedback, suggestions, & even critiques. It is up to me how I take them that is important. As we open ourselves up online, we can’t expect everyone to be all positive.
    Everyone views things differently. That is the power of being an individual.
    I think comments & feedback are important. If we are building websites or doing a service, it isn’t all about ourselves. We have to think like a customer or a visitor.

    I agree with Alejandra’s comment. We have to be open to good & bad criticism but also see when someone is just being nasty for the sake of being nasty.

    Reply
  27. Tedros Russom Avatar
    Tedros Russom

    Hello Michael, that was an interesting and true point. Some people took feedback as criticism of what we have done, but that is not what it is. Seeing bold feedback positively is essential for real growth and improvement.

    Reply
  28. Kendryk Cabiles Avatar
    Kendryk Cabiles

    Hello Michael!

    I agree, there are many ways others can view the website you create. And there are different factors in which different qualities can affect different perspectives. That’s why asking for bold critique, like with what you said, is important to really reel in new perspectives in hopes of improving your website!

    Reply
  29. Hannah Avatar
    Hannah

    I agree, though me personally, sometimes I think that friends can be better than strangers when it comes to knowing your weaknesses.

    Reply

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