Why it works
“Feedback” invites people to judge what already happened. They look backwards, grade the work and, to stay polite, soften everything into “looks good overall”.
“Advice” points them to the future. They imagine the next version and tell you what to change, which is the part you actually needed.
Asking for advice has a bonus: it signals that you respect the other person’s judgment, which makes them more willing to help and more invested in your success.
How to use it
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Change the question
Instead of asking what someone thinks of your draft, ask what they would do to make it better.
“What’s one thing you’d change before I send this?” -
Ask before it’s final
Advice is most useful while things can still change. Ask at the 50% mark, not after launch.
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Tell them what you used
Follow up on which advice you took. People who gave advice feel invested and help again.
Where it comes from
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