The value of listening to your clients feedback to create relevant content

Struggling to create relevant content for your audience?

Listen to your client’s feedback.

The other day, I sent an idea for a blog article to a client to get his thoughts related to the value that he received from that piece of writing.

Rather than email me a long response back with bullet points of notes, he created a video message that listed his objections with the piece. 

So, I put on my headphones, took a walk and listened to the 4+ minute response he created.

Now, my intention was solely to get this article tightened up and ready to be shared with my audience. 

What ended up happening was much more valuable.

You see, he brought up several points that never occurred to me to address.

These points weren’t relevant for this particular article, but what it did do is give me other ideas to explore. 

And his thoughts inspired me to pull up my Notebooks app and write down these points to be fleshed out in separate articles. 

In addition to helping me improve the article I sent him (I incorporated those notes immediately), I ended up brainstorming two other ideas for content pieces - as well as this article you’re reading now!

All because I asked and listened. 

Oftentimes, we get so caught up in our creative process and are so close to our material, that we lose sight of other ways of seeing how we can present our material that deeply resonates with our audiences.

We need to look beyond the trees to see the forest, and sometimes, that requires asking for help - especially help from those we serve. 

After all, these are the people who pay for our specialized help - it’s kinda important to take into consideration the way that they understand how we serve them. 

So, if you’re finding yourself getting stuck on creating relevant content that doesn’t sound like everything else you’ve been sharing, send a direct message, email or pick up the phone and chat with a trusted client.

Even if you don’t have a piece of content that needs direct feedback, create a list of questions that can swirl up some potential ideas for content.

• What problem did you have that necessitated your need to contact me?

• What were your reservations and apprehensions towards working with me?

• How did we solve the problem?

• Why would you recommend others to work with me?

These are just a few conversation starters that will ultimately lead to you creating relevant follow up questions based on their responses. 

If you listen to your clients talk about how you helped them get past what’s holding them back, you’re offering yourself the opportunity to package your insights and expertise in a new and compelling way.

When you leverage your clients words, that’s a very persuasive way to attract new clients who are in the same boat.

Have you ever tired this approach to get ideas for new content? And if so, how did it help you create relevant and compelling stories? Please share in the comment section below.

PS - If you found this article valuable, I invite you to join my email list so that you save yourself from commuting to my blog every time I post something new, :)