‘I love this work. But it’s not right’.
It’s easy to act like Norman Bates, slashing away at ideas.
Particularly at the crucial early stages when they’re not fully nailed down.
And especially when an idea’s a bit different, unusual or more creative. The very things making it unexpected make it easy to pull apart.
Negatives are always easier to spot than positives. Just look online, unstoppable attacks on everything in sight, like Michael Myers has got hold of a keyboard.
It can make creative reviews a massacre. Whether there’s a chainsaw involved or not.
One thing I use to combat this are ‘Idea Killers’ (beautifully timed for Halloween week).
‘Idea Killers’ are comments that often come up in reviews. Throwaway, empty, unhelpful or stock pieces of feedback that kill a great idea dead before it’s had a chance to breath. Turning even dream jobs into one of Freddy’s nightmares.
In reviews these comments are banned. Locked away like Hannibal Lecter.
It helps refocus the conversation to be about finding the great, especially in those initial reviews. Making it easier to throw fuel onto ideas so they grow, evolve and flourish. Which is a lot more useful.
Reframe your comments to the positive.
// Is it interesting?
// Will it stand out?
// Is the take-out clear?
// Did it make you smile?
That way feedback’s focused around what’s good and how to make it better. Rather than flushing ideas down the sewer to float into Pennywise’s evil grip.
So don’t say ‘They’ll never buy that’, ask ‘How can we sell it?’.
Being good guys makes creating great ideas child’s play.
Some of my ‘Idea Killers’, and some suggestions people sent me, are in the carousel below.
