I've been thinking about writing/editing feedback a lot.

I run content/marketing at work. I'm also in a writing group and helping a friend edit their book.

I've had the most impact when I think about feedback as helping the writer, not the writing.

Here's how to do it...

First, is the goal of your feedback...

1) Improving the final piece?

Or

2) Helping someone be a better writer?

I think in most instances it's the second. Sometimes, it's the first — like when a blog post or email needs to go out, and you're giving it a last look.

If you're improving a final piece, chances are you're scanning for:

• Correct spelling and grammar
• Proper formatting and links
• Consistent voice and tone
• General clarity

Those tend to be quick fixes.

Quick fix edits are useful, and both the feedback giver and recipient can learn from them.

But when you're focused on helping someone be a better writer, it's best to give feedback that helps them change or improve behaviors.

Here's how I've been effective in doing that.

Lead with love.

It is insanely hard to put original ideas to paper, and then ask people to scrutinize it.

Anytime someone is asking you for feedback, they're essentially asking you to look at their thoughts and judge their structure.

So remember to be kind.

Hype them up.

When you're reviewing someone's Google Doc, you have the opportunity to give your real-time reactions. They invited you along for the ride, why not offer your own train of thought?

Leave comments to say you love an idea, LOLed, or felt in suspense.

Here are some prompts to help you think of hype comments:

• Did you learn something new?
• Did their writing make you feel seen?
• Did it make your heart scream?
• Did it help you more deeply empathize?

You'll give critical feedback too. Make them feel supported first.

Brainstorm with them.

Think their title is boring or a joke doesn't land? Offer ideas.

Writers know that when they're too close to an idea, it's hard to zoom out and see it more clearly. Sometimes they just need a nudge in the right direction.

Short on ideas? Ask questions.

Unless you know each other's writing & feedback styles well, don't just say, "This sentence is awkward."

Help them solve it: "I feel like you're trying to say X, but these past 3 paragraphs have been about Y. How can you bridge the gap?"

Is the draft sloppy? Offer a new prompt.

Sometimes a draft will be a mess. It happens. Rather than offering line-by-line fixes, you'll probably be more helpful by suggesting a new prompt.

It forces the writer to make a choice: defend or destroy their ideas.

Consider these frameworks for suggesting new prompts:

• You mention X, Y and Z but there isn't a cohesive theme. What if you start over, fleshing out only X?

• Of all the ideas presented, Y is most interesting. Can you narrow your scope and write on that?

A recap: Help someone be a better writer:

Lead with love
Hype them up
Brainstorm, even if you have bad ideas
If you can't think of ideas, ask questions
If the draft is sloppy, suggest a new prompt