Designing knitting patterns requires dedication and creativity, and it’s not uncommon to encounter negative feedback along the way. Instead of dwelling on those moments, it’s essential to turn them into opportunities for growth. In this blog post, we’ll explore four common mistakes that designers make with customer feedback and provide practical ways to establish an effective feedback loop, helping you excel as a knitting pattern designer and nurture your small business.
In this blog post, we’ll share 4 common mistakes made with customer feedback and how you can create a more effective feedback loop to grow as a designer and as a small business.
MISTAKE 1: Neglecting to Ask for Feedback
While some feedback will naturally come your way, actively seeking it can be highly beneficial. Don’t let fear hold you back from gathering valuable insights. Test knitting surveys are an excellent way to systematically collect feedback from your knitting community. By creating a structured questionnaire, you can gain specific and relevant information about your designs.
In addition to surveys, leverage your email list or social media presence to reach out to your customers. Engage them in casual conversations and ask for their thoughts on future design ideas or improvements. Remember to be open-minded and receptive to all feedback, as it provides you with a better understanding of your customer’s needs and desires.
MISTAKE 2: Lacking a System for Tracking Feedback
As your knitting pattern designs gain popularity, feedback will pour in from various sources, including emails, social media comments, and project notes on platforms like Ravelry. To avoid getting overwhelmed by scattered feedback, develop a comprehensive system for organising and categorising it.
A dedicated feedback spreadsheet or base in Airtable is an efficient tool for this purpose. Create columns for the feedback itself, the category it falls under (e.g., sizing, clarity, style), ideas for future patterns, adjustments to existing patterns, and how you plan to take action on the feedback. Include the contact information of contributors to facilitate follow-up communication.
By centralising all feedback in one place, you’ll have a clear overview of the areas that need improvement and can prioritise your efforts accordingly.
MISTAKE 3: Failing to Act on Feedback
Acting upon feedback is crucial for continuous improvement and customer satisfaction. Addressing errata and making pattern corrections promptly is the first step. As you work on resolving issues, maintain open communication with your customers, informing them about updates and improvements.
For more complex feedback, such as requests for size inclusivity or changes in pattern writing style, develop a roadmap for implementation. Break down the tasks and set realistic deadlines to ensure steady progress. Taking small steps consistently will lead to meaningful changes in your designs.
MISTAKE 4: Forgetting to Follow Up
Many designers overlook the importance of following up with customers who provide feedback. It’s courteous and shows your commitment to improvement.
Make it a habit to reach out to customers, thank them for their valuable input, and inform them about the changes you made based on their feedback. Including their contact information in your tracking system will make following up more manageable.
BONUS TIP: Coping with Criticism
While tackling the 4 common mistakes that designers make, we also acknowledge that dealing with criticism can be emotionally challenging. However, it’s essential to maintain a positive and constructive mindset. As you receive feedback, remember that everyone’s perspective is valuable, and their experiences may differ from yours. Rather than being defensive, embrace criticism as an opportunity for growth. To handle criticism effectively:
1. Stay humble and listen calmly to feedback.
2. Don’t invalidate the feedback; acknowledge their feelings and experiences, and thank them for their input.
3. If your pattern caused an issue, apologise, even if unintentional.
4. Offer to help find a solution if possible.
5. Once you’ve addressed the feedback and closed the loop, move on and focus on making positive changes.
Developing resilience and humility in the face of feedback will help you use it to your advantage. When you encounter negative feedback, take a deep breath, objectively analyse the comments, and extract valuable insights within. Respond with kindness and appreciation, acknowledging the customer’s perspective while explaining your thought process or any limitations you faced during the design process.
CONCLUSION
Knowing what the 4 common mistakes designers make will help you prevent making those mistakes in your own knitwear designing business. Embrace customer feedback, both positive and negative, as a valuable tool for growth as a knitting pattern designer. Establishing an effective feedback loop will enable you to make improvements that resonate with your customers, leading to increased sales and recommendations. Share your feedback system with fellow designers, fostering a supportive community of learning and growth.