What do you do if your advertising feedback lacks specificity and actionability?

1 Seek Clarity

When faced with unclear advertising feedback, your first move should be to seek clarity. Reach out to the feedback provider and ask for specific examples or details. This shows that you value their input and are committed to making meaningful improvements. By encouraging a dialogue, you may uncover underlying concerns or suggestions that weren't initially communicated. Remember, the goal is to transform vague comments into constructive criticism that can inform your next steps.

2 Analyze Patterns

If you're noticing a pattern of non-specific feedback, take a step back and analyze it from a broader perspective. Look for common themes or sentiments that may be hidden within the general comments. These recurring patterns can often point to areas in your advertising that might need more attention or a different approach. By piecing together these clues, you can start to form a clearer picture of how your audience is responding to your ads.

3 Reframe Feedback

Sometimes, the key to unlocking the value in vague feedback is to reframe it into a more actionable format. Consider what the feedback might imply about your audience's needs or preferences. Use this as a starting point to brainstorm potential improvements or tests you can run. This proactive approach can help you move forward, even when the feedback isn't as clear-cut as you'd like.

4 Adjust Processes

Vague feedback can be a sign that your current processes for collecting and interpreting responses might need tweaking. Ensure your feedback mechanisms are designed to elicit specific, actionable insights. This might involve adjusting survey questions, conducting more focused user testing, or implementing new tools for data collection. By refining how you gather feedback, you'll be more likely to receive the kind of input that can lead to effective changes.

5 Educate Stakeholders

It's important to educate stakeholders on the importance of specific and actionable feedback. Explain how it affects your ability to make informed decisions and improve advertising outcomes. Offer guidance on what constitutes helpful feedback and why vague comments can be challenging to work with. When stakeholders understand the impact of their input, they're more likely to provide the detailed information you need.

6 Iterate Quickly

When specificity is lacking, don't let it stall your progress. Use whatever information you have to make small, iterative changes to your advertising campaigns. Test these adjustments and closely monitor the results. This approach allows you to remain agile and responsive, making it possible to refine your strategy over time, even when feedback isn't as detailed as you'd prefer.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?