I Love Getting Feedback, Even When It Sucks
If you can't learn from it, you go nowhere
A while back, I decided that I would combine my faith writing and self-publishing writing to one spot, right here on my JR Heimbigner Substack. I thought this would be a great idea and help combine two smaller audiences to one.
Well, based on the feedback I have received, I was dead wrong.
Turns out, my self-publishing audience isn’t made up of as many Christians as I thought and my Christian audience doesn’t care all that much about self-publishing and writing (insert oil and water adage).
But, we live and learn.
Two Important Lessons
And this had two important lessons for me as a writer, which I want to share with you today. And I will give you and update on where I will go from here.
Are all of my ideas, good ideas?
First, just because I think it’s a good idea doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. As creators, we tend to think lots of our ideas are really good ideas. Until we try them out and they flop or we validate them and they succeed.
I decided to do the trial and error, and found the error in this merger of writing content. As such, I lost some subscribers and paid subscribers which hurts, but it also is completely understandable in hindsight (insert hindsight is 20/20 adage).
So, my good idea was not a good idea.
Feedback is valuable, even when it hurts.
Second, the best thing a writer or author can do is to take feedback as an object lesson and not personal. Sure, J.R. Heimbigner Writes is a personal brand. But, its a thing, its not who I am.
The feedback I received from people dropping off has been very valuable. I have learned that there are two different “markets” that don’t overlap. I have also learned that there is still a for both, just not together.
The feedback I have learned has given me clarity.
How to Implement Feedback is Essential
Now, I could take that feedback and ignore it. But that will continue to show things drop off as well go. So, we must do something with the feedback we are given in order to succeed and grow.
In this instance, I will be splitting out my faith content and self-publishing content once more. And in fact, I will probably split things out a little more in my social media presence as well.
From now on, J.R. Heimbigner Substack will be focused on writing, self-publishing, and topics of this nature. I will slowly be switching everything back over to focus on that over the next week or so.
If you are up for that, feel free to subscribe:
As far as my writing content, that will be moving back over to my Transformed Faith publication which I will be updating over the next week well. If you are going to look for further faith writing, head over there now and subscribe.
Final Thoughts on Lessons from Feedback
Look, we are all human. Most writers are creators and doing it on the side. And for many of us, we have bad ideas that don’t work out. It’s okay. I am cutting my self slack as much as you should too if something doesn’t work right.
This is a pivot. And just because you are pivoting doesn’t mean you’ve failed. I can tell you one thing for sure, I haven’t failed. I have learned a valuable lesson that can create a lot more success.
However, failing to pivot will get you stuck.
And stuck tends to lead to frustration, anger, bitterness, and ultimately quitting. If you are a writer or author, maybe it’s time to get unstuck by pivoting. What might you need to do to change things up and find success?
I’d love to hear from you on these lessons and places you might need to pivot in the comments below.
Thank you for Reading J.R. Heimbigner’s Substack!
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As creators, we often fall in love with our ideas and believe they're the best. However, as you've discovered, sometimes what sounds like a great idea on paper may not resonate with your audience. Receiving feedback, even when it's tough to hear, can be incredibly valuable.