HOW TO GIVE VIDEO FEEDBACK
The first cut has landed in your inbox. But now comes a crucial step: providing feedback. Clear, constructive feedback propels a good video into a great one, ensuring the final product aligns perfectly with your goals.
But what's the best way to give that feedback? We've all been there – vague comments, confusing notes, or an overwhelming number of opinions. To help make the process smooth, efficient, and ultimately lead to a video you'll love, we've put together this guide.
1. Gather Your Key Stakeholders (But Not the Whole Village!)
Before you even hit play, decide who really needs to be involved in the review process. While it's tempting to get everyone's opinion, too many cooks can spoil the broth (or in this case, the edit). Identify the key decision-makers whose input is essential. Consolidate feedback from this core group into a single, unified voice if possible. This prevents conflicting notes and keeps the project on track.
2. Watch it Through (At Least Once) Without Nitpicking
Your first viewing should be about getting a feel for the overall flow, message, and emotional impact. Resist the urge to pause every few seconds and jot down minor edits. Ask yourself:
Does the video achieve its primary goal?
Is the core message clear?
How does it make you feel?
Does the pacing work?
Jot down your initial, high-level impressions. This "big picture" perspective is invaluable.
3. Be Specific and Use Timestamps – Your Editor's Best Friend!
Vague comments like "I don't like that bit" or "make it more exciting" are difficult to act upon. Instead, be precise and reference specific moments in the video.
Use Timestamps: "At 0:32, the music feels a bit too loud and drowns out the voiceover." or "From 1:15 to 1:25, could we try a different shot of the product?" Most video review platforms allow for time-stamped comments directly on the video, which is ideal. If you're sending an email, clearly note the timecode.
Explain the 'Why': Don't just say what you don't like; explain why it's not working for you and how it relates to the project's objectives. For example, instead of "Change the font," try "The current font at 0:15 feels a bit too playful for our corporate message. Could we explore a more professional, sans-serif option?"
4. Focus on Objectives, Not Just Personal Preferences
While your personal taste is valid, always tie your feedback back to the original goals of the video. Ask:
Does this element contribute to our key message?
Will this resonate with our target audience?
Does this align with our brand identity?
For instance, you might personally love a particular song, but if it doesn't fit the video's purpose or target demographic, it's important to acknowledge that.
5. Differentiate Between "Must-Haves" and "Nice-to-Haves"
Help your production team prioritize by indicating the importance of your feedback. Is a change absolutely critical to the video's success, or is it a suggestion that could be implemented if time and budget allow? This helps us focus our efforts on the most impactful revisions.
6. Suggest Solutions (If You Have Them), But Be Open to Alternatives
If you have a clear idea of how to improve something, feel free to suggest it. "Could we try using the shot from camera B at 2:05 instead?" However, also be open to the expertise of your video production team. We may have alternative solutions or technical insights that could achieve your desired outcome even more effectively.
7. Keep it Constructive and Respectful
Remember, creating a video is a collaborative process. Frame your feedback constructively. Avoid overly negative or demanding language. Phrases like "What if we tried..." or "Could we explore..." are generally more effective than "This is wrong" or "You need to change this." A positive and respectful dialogue leads to the best creative outcomes.
8. Review, Consolidate, and Submit
Before you hit send, review all your feedback. Is it clear, concise, and actionable? If multiple people have contributed, try to consolidate the notes into a single document or set of comments to avoid confusion.
The Result? A Video That Hits the Mark.
Providing effective feedback might seem like a small part of the video production journey, but it's incredibly powerful. By following these guidelines, you'll help us understand your vision more clearly, streamline the revision process, and ultimately create a video that not only meets but exceeds your expectations.
We're excited to work with you and bring your story to life. Let's make something amazing together!
