Feedback
I’m an artist.
(Artiste?)
I imagine and create things.
I share them with the world.
Then I want feedback.
Feedback is a gift.
But what do I mean by feedback?
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First off: feedback can be praise.
Praise is fine.
For example, you could say: “You are a towering genius an encounter with whose work enraptured me in rhapsodic rhapsody.”
I mean, use your own words.
But that’s an example.
That would be okay feedback.
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Also: it’s good to be specific.
Tell me what you liked most.
Here’s a sample text:
“OMG.
Just got to the part when they fall down the well.
LMAO.”
Classic good feedback.
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Feedback can be critical, though.
The trick is to make it constructive criticism.
Constructive criticism tells me why you didn’t like some part of what I shared.
It suggests how to fix it.
Then you can just shut up.
SHUT THE FUCK UP.
See?
Constructive.
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Sometimes you may not like something I share with you at all.
A polite way to put it then is, “It’s not to my taste.”
And I’ll say: “Okay. Thanks.”
Or: “Well, excu-u-u-u-u-u-u-s-s-e me for trying!”
Or: “Why do you hate me SO MUCH?”
Then you can apologize and admit how stupid you are.
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To be most helpful, feedback should be prompt.
Not instantaneous, of course.
You need time to process what I’ve shared, take it all in, and think through your response.
A good rule of thumb is what I call the “5-10-15.”
Five seconds after I share something, tell me: “Oh! I’m excited to check this out.”
Ten seconds later, tell me: “I love it! It’s perfect in every way!”
If I don’t get your feedback within fifteen seconds, you’re dead to me forever.
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Feedback isn’t always verbal.
Instead of words, you could use heart or applause emojis.
You could contribute to my GoFundMe or Patreon page.
Even making me lunch can be a form of feedback.
Artists call this a “feedback sandwich.“
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Thank you for supporting me and other artists / artistes.
Hearing from our fans and critics is one of the best parts of the creative process.
After all, we’re just like everyone else.
Human beings, doing our best, learning and growing together.
It’s just that we’re special.
And you’re not.