“Do these pants make my butt look big?”
If you’ve ever asked this question or one similar, you know that you may not always get the response you want. On the other hand, if your respondent gives honest answers, you may get information that you really need. (Think The Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”)
Getting feedback, as Marcia Yudkin puts it, can help you stop bad marketing (or personal) blunders before they happen. But, as the old blues song goes, “you gotta know how.”
Some people, like friends or family, may know have the knowledge base to help you out. Colleagues may be too busy. Strangers can give you quirky, over-the-top responses. Whoever you ask, says Ms. Yudkin, make sure you set context, explain purpose, and ask specific questions. She recommends consulting an expert or coach, citing the foundation laid by a paid relationship. I’m not sure I agree. In my experience, you can sometimes depend on the kindness of strangers.
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