{"id":203595,"date":"2024-08-06T14:10:03","date_gmt":"2024-08-06T13:10:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/?p=203595"},"modified":"2024-08-06T14:10:05","modified_gmt":"2024-08-06T13:10:05","slug":"creative-approval-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/blog\/creative-approval-process\/","title":{"rendered":"How to build &amp; improve your creative approval process"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Picture this: It\u2019s the day before your client\u2019s deadline, and not a single design has been signed off. Instead, it\u2019s revision after revision, each round seemingly looping back on itself.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reviewer C asks for changes that Reviewer A had previously requested you remove. It&#8217;s enough to make you feel like you&#8217;re stuck in an endless maze of feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sound familiar? If you&#8217;ve ever found yourself trapped in this whirlwind of revisions and conflicting feedback, you\u2019re not alone. But fear not\u2014today, we&#8217;re diving headfirst into a solution that will change the game for you: the creative approval process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But first, what does an approval process even mean? How can it rescue you from these perpetual &#8220;back and forths?\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this guide, we&#8217;ll unpack what a creative approval process entails, why it\u2019s crucial for streamlining your workflow, and most importantly, how you can build one that\u2019s both simple and effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Get ready to bid farewell to the revision matrix and say hello to a smoother, more efficient creative journey. Let&#8217;s dive in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Table of contents<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#what-is\">What is a creative approval process?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#importance\">Why it\u2019s important to have a creative approval process<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#building\">How do you build a creative approval process?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#improving\">How to improve the creative approval process<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is\"><strong>What is a <\/strong><strong>creative approval process<\/strong><strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A creative approval process is your team&#8217;s roadmap to ensure stakeholders or clients can easily give their stamp of approval on a project. It brings structure and clarity to your creative endeavors, outlining who&#8217;s responsible at each stage of the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can apply this process to various creative projects, like<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Designs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Digital artwork<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Videos<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Images<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Social media posts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>And more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s how a typical <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/blog\/approval-workflow\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">approval workflow<\/a> might look:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pre-approval pitch<\/strong>: Present ideas to clients for selection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>First draft: Initial creation based on chosen ideas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Internal review: Teammates and stakeholders provide feedback.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Second draft: Implement feedback and refine the work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Final internal review: Polish details and ensure quality.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Client review: Confirm the project aligns with their expectations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Final draft: Ready for approval and deployment.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>By following this structured approach, everyone understands the process for obtaining approval without delays or reminders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now in the next section, we\u2019ll explain the importance of this process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"importance\"><strong>Why it\u2019s important to have a <\/strong><strong>creative approval process<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Because dealing with clients will be bliss.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And your workflow?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As smooth as Micheal Jackson\u2019s dance moves.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video autoplay controls loop muted src=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/app\/uploads\/2024\/08\/giphy-ezgif.com-webp-to-mp4-converter.mp4\" playsinline><\/video><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">GIF Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/gifs\/michael-jackson-mj-king-of-pop-lGkUyj3IrEcvu\">Giphy<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/blog\/managing-a-creative-team\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">creative team<\/a>, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ll be handling multiple clients.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now imagine how chaotic it would be having to dance to the \u2018back and forth\u2019 review tune for five clients.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019d be all over the place, trying to put out revision fires.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stressed. Burnt out. Struggling to beat deadlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But with a creative approval process in place?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s what you\u2019ll get:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>A formal structure<\/strong> to help you streamline your approval process. Without all the hassles involved.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Consistent high-quality deliverables<\/strong> across the board. Your projects will go through several internal reviews so you\u2019re sure they align with the client\u2019s standards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Minimized <\/strong><strong>revisions<\/strong>. Because you now have a system, mistakes are fewer and the more likely you are to get it right the first time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Less misunderstanding.<\/strong> Having a streamlined <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/blog\/creative-workflow\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">creative approval process<\/a> ensures everyone, including clients, are on the same page.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Increased productivity<\/strong>. Defined steps. Proper communication. Your guys will be working in beautiful harmony, with everyone contributing their quota at the right time.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When asked how great having an approval process has been, here&#8217;s what Marshal Davis, President of <a href=\"https:\/\/ascendlymarketing.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Ascendly Marketing<\/a> said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>Previously, our website design projects were plagued by endless revisions due to vague client feedback like &#8220;I don&#8217;t really like that.&#8221; By instituting a design stage with a formal approval process, we&#8217;ve significantly reduced these back-and-forths. Now, with each design stage receiving signed approval, both parties are more satisfied, leading to a smoother workflow and a final product that truly resonates with the client&#8217;s vision.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>You could say it\u2019s a pretty good investment for your team.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And we\u2019re sure you\u2019re interested.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, how do you get on board?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Glad you asked!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s how\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"building\"><strong>How do you build a <\/strong><strong>creative approval process<\/strong><strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you made it to this point, it\u2019s clear you\u2019re keen on pulling the plug on your current approval process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And we\u2019re super proud you\u2019re making that decision. \ud83d\udc4f<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Without wasting any more time, let\u2019s walk you through the different steps needed to transform your review and approval workflow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"880\" height=\"486\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/app\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Master-the-art-of-building-a-creative-approval-process.png\" alt=\"A graph showing how to create a creative approval process in four steps.\" class=\"wp-image-203598\" title=\"How to create a creative approval process.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/app\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Master-the-art-of-building-a-creative-approval-process.png 880w, https:\/\/www.markup.io\/app\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Master-the-art-of-building-a-creative-approval-process-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/www.markup.io\/app\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Master-the-art-of-building-a-creative-approval-process-768x424.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 880px) 100vw, 880px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step #1: Lay the foundation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Think of the creative approval process as building a skyscraper.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To construct such a masterpiece, you need a solid foundation. Without one, sooner or later, the building will come crashing down.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Know what that means for your approval process?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you run an internal team, laying the foundation can be\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Creating brand guidelines everyone follows.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Setting a standard benchmark. You know, like a system to cross-check everybody\u2019s work.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Deciding on best practices so project quality is the same on all fronts. An SOP (standard operation procedure) \u2026 in business terms.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>What if you\u2019re a freelancer or solo creative?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can tweak that to suit you too.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Agencies?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t worry, we didn\u2019t forget you either.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your foundation can be creating a database for all your clients.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Under each client\u2019s file, you include their style, guidelines, and contact person.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step #2: Assign responsibilities<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>So you\u2019ve laid the foundation for your creative review and approval structure, what\u2019s next?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Assigning tasks to your team members.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You wanna think of who\u2019s gonna handle what in your review process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Who\u2019s producing the creative work\/deliverable?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Is anyone on the proofing front yet? Who\u2019ll give the final approval?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And publishing?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So for instance, you can assign:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>James, your UX designer, to produce the creative content.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dolly, the senior designer to handle the creative review process.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Then after the first draft, James iterates and improves the creative asset. Perhaps using a tool like UserTesting to get testers to try the prototype so you can identify bottlenecks in the new version.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Next, your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/blog\/design-project-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">project manager<\/a> can handle the final internal approval stage. And maybe hand it over to the decision-maker on your client\u2019s side.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step #3: Decide how you are going to give feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>So everyone knows that Dolly is going to be the first reviewer, yeah?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But here\u2019s an important one guys&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How will she deliver feedback?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Please don\u2019t say email or Slack.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video autoplay controls loop muted src=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/app\/uploads\/2024\/08\/TheSimpsonsPlease-ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-converter.mp4\" playsinline><\/video><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">GIF Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/gifs\/myHQ-workspaces-funny-please-MFIsOqzodLr7ewnkUb\">Giphy<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Why am I being so dramatic?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because that path is like going down a rabbit hole that increases <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/blog\/why-do-projects-fail\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the chances of your project failing<\/a>. It\u2019s going to do more harm than good for your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/blog\/approval-workflow\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">approval cycle<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sure, email and Slack are feedback options. But we\u2019ve been there before. And have come back with stories. Not the happily-ever-after kind, though.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A better option is\u00a0 to use an approval software like, say, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MarkUp.io<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/blog\/website-proofing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">online proofing tool<\/a> that enters the approval scene with everything you need to make the process smooth. Like, ice-skating smooth\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To give feedback on MarkUp, you just need to upload your files to create duplicates. Or MarkUps as we call them.\u00a0 Then, click anywhere to add comments just like in the GIF below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video autoplay controls loop muted src=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/app\/uploads\/2024\/08\/image9-ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-converter.mp4\" playsinline><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>On MarkUp, you can leave feedback, draw annotations, record video feedback, sign-off your part of the review, and pause comments for total focus when giving review.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, that\u2019s how you can give feedback.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just saying\u2026 \ud83e\udd37<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step #4: Consider <\/strong><strong>revisions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019re nearing the final lap now.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, there\u2019s one more trip you need to take:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How do you want to handle revisions?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You also need to know how many revisions you want to have.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One, two, or three?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, you need to decide on the time revisions will take.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Okay\u2026huhm, why\u2019s this important<\/em>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So you can plan your project properly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More importantly, to set a realistic deadline.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your clients know that revisions will take 48 hours, they most likely won\u2019t ask for the final draft to be ready in 12 hours.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">***<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that\u2019s it for building an approval workflow.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Easy, right? But, don\u2019t take off just yet.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You don\u2019t wanna miss the next section.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s insider information on how to improve your approval workflow with ease.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"improving\"><strong>How to improve the <\/strong><strong>creative approval process<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ve got a system for your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/blog\/document-review-and-approval-process\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">review and approval process<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Everything is going well. Waaay better than it used to&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But now, you want faster approvals. Like <em>The Flash<\/em>-level fast.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So you don\u2019t waste a lot of time working on reviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well\u2026&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If that\u2019s what you want, here\u2019s a checklist of things you need to follow. Think of them as the \u2018<em>five commandments of the creative approval process<\/em>\u2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"880\" height=\"502\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/app\/uploads\/2024\/08\/A-playbook-for-supercharging-your-creative-approval-process.png\" alt=\"A graph showing different best practices to improve the creative approval process.\" class=\"wp-image-203601\" title=\"Improving the creative approval process\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/app\/uploads\/2024\/08\/A-playbook-for-supercharging-your-creative-approval-process.png 880w, https:\/\/www.markup.io\/app\/uploads\/2024\/08\/A-playbook-for-supercharging-your-creative-approval-process-300x171.png 300w, https:\/\/www.markup.io\/app\/uploads\/2024\/08\/A-playbook-for-supercharging-your-creative-approval-process-768x438.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 880px) 100vw, 880px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Set feedback deadlines<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Command number 1 *<em>because we\u2019re five-star Generals here<\/em>* is to add due dates to each review stage.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether it\u2019s being done by your internal or external review team.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You already have a deadline to submit the project. So, it only makes sense to assign dates to the approval steps. You don\u2019t wanna be waiting around or pleading with the reviewer to send in their work.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By setting deadlines, everyone knows their job and when it\u2019s due.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019ll be as if Kevin Hart is somewhere in the corner of their minds shouting, \u201c<em>Send in your reviews, dammit.<\/em>\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, that\u2019s the spirit!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Keep feedback in one place<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Picture this: You\u2019re expecting feedback from multiple reviewers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One person sends theirs via email. Another on Slack. Your client decided to use Skype. The copywriter, Google Drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And then there\u2019s you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Who needs to have all of this feedback in a centralized location so it\u2019s easy to assign responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Otherwise, this is you, after after downloading the fifth attachment from an email<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video autoplay controls loop muted src=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/app\/uploads\/2024\/08\/image6-ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-converter.mp4\" playsinline><\/video><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">GIF Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/gifs\/oh-god-iBH30K5eDqHxS\">Giphy<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The better option is to ensure everything is handled from one location.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reviewer\u2019s comment. Design approval. Different versions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All handled and stored on one platform.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With this, collaboration is easier.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Creative approval?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fast too, just the way you want.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Plus, you won\u2019t be getting excessive notifications or boring other stakeholders with them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s something <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/advice\/1\/how-can-you-establish-efficient-effective-social?utm_source=share&amp;utm_campaign=copy_contribution_link&amp;utm_medium=guest_desktop&amp;contributionUrn=urn%3Ali%3Acomment%3A%28articleSegment%3A%28urn%3Ali%3AlinkedInArticle%3A7112877779305586688%2C7112877781440446465%29%2C7114032322819104768%29&amp;articleSegmentUrn=urn%3Ali%3AarticleSegment%3A%28urn%3Ali%3AlinkedInArticle%3A7112877779305586688%2C7112877781440446465%29&amp;dashContributionUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_comment%3A%287114032322819104768%2CarticleSegment%3A%28urn%3Ali%3AlinkedInArticle%3A7112877779305586688%2C7112877781440446465%29%29\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jaso<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/advice\/1\/how-can-you-establish-efficient-effective-social?utm_source=share&amp;utm_campaign=copy_contribution_link&amp;utm_medium=guest_desktop&amp;contributionUrn=urn%3Ali%3Acomment%3A%28articleSegment%3A%28urn%3Ali%3AlinkedInArticle%3A7112877779305586688%2C7112877781440446465%29%2C7114032322819104768%29&amp;articleSegmentUrn=urn%3Ali%3AarticleSegment%3A%28urn%3Ali%3AlinkedInArticle%3A7112877779305586688%2C7112877781440446465%29&amp;dashContributionUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_comment%3A%287114032322819104768%2CarticleSegment%3A%28urn%3Ali%3AlinkedInArticle%3A7112877779305586688%2C7112877781440446465%29%29\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">n<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/advice\/1\/how-can-you-establish-efficient-effective-social?utm_source=share&amp;utm_campaign=copy_contribution_link&amp;utm_medium=guest_desktop&amp;contributionUrn=urn%3Ali%3Acomment%3A%28articleSegment%3A%28urn%3Ali%3AlinkedInArticle%3A7112877779305586688%2C7112877781440446465%29%2C7114032322819104768%29&amp;articleSegmentUrn=urn%3Ali%3AarticleSegment%3A%28urn%3Ali%3AlinkedInArticle%3A7112877779305586688%2C7112877781440446465%29&amp;dashContributionUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_comment%3A%287114032322819104768%2CarticleSegment%3A%28urn%3Ali%3AlinkedInArticle%3A7112877779305586688%2C7112877781440446465%29%29\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Patterson<\/a>, founder of Jewel Content Marketing Agency, considers a problem with modern approval processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to him, too many notifications when sent to the wrong people can hurt productivity. \u201cIt can also teach people to ignore you,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And you don\u2019t want that.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not when you want to get everything done quickly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Leave clear and actionable comments<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c<em>I don\u2019t like the tone of this color.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That was all a reviewer commented on one design.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s been one week and the UX designer has tried all the tones in that color spectrum.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And the reviewer has yet to sign off on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/blog\/feedback-loop-halloween\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Feedback like that comes straight from hell<\/a>. \ud83e\udd72\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It usually leads to confusion, questions, and more confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The moral of the story\u2026 avoid giving feedback like that.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stick with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/blog\/how-to-share-feedback\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">comments that are clear and actionable<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You know, so the UX designer, for instance, has something tangible to work with.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You could say, \u201c<em>Could you adjust the tone of this blue color so it\u2019s bolder? I think it\u2019ll align better with our brand colors<\/em>.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s feedback your designer can work with. It\u2019s clear and actionable.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019re welcome!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Set guidelines for external reviews<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your project is ready for approval. It\u2019s gone through a rigorous review round from your internal team.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, it\u2019s time to invite external \u2018<em>forces<\/em>\u2019 to give feedback.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But before you do that, do you have a playbook for participation?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Oh, we need one<\/em>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, yes, good reader.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s just something to ensure that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Their feedback aligns with the project goals.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They don\u2019t get lost in irrelevant details.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your intellectual property is locked down. Just in case.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Their comments are fair and square. No biases.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>So your guidelines could cover who\u2019ll be in charge of managing relationships with the reviewers or clients. It could also include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Which documents are the holy grail of your brand \u2026\u2018<em>That no other eyes should behold<\/em>.\u2019 \ud83e\uddd8<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How you\u2019ll manage version control. So everyone knows what has changed on the doc.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What key pointers or aspects reviewers should focus on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Get the right people involved as early as possible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Who needs to be on board from the get-go?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Have you reached out to them yet?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do they know what\u2019s going on with the project in real time?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to avoid unnecessary delays and time-consuming reworking, this is something you need to do.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These stakeholders have a great idea of what the result should look like.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So involving them is like having the wizard, Merlin, on your team.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll know just how to align all the steps so the first draft looks like the final one.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There guys, that\u2019s how to build a creative approval process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2026And take it from 0-1000. \ud83d\ude01<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Now over to you<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The ball is in your court now.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can transform your review and approval process to become so sleek\u2026deadlines are begging to meet up. \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But without the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/blog\/most-popular-collaboration-tools\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">right tool<\/a> in place, you\u2019ll still be running in circles.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Struggling to track reviews and who\u2019s handling them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We don\u2019t want that for you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And we\u2019re sure you don\u2019t either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s what you can do now: <a href=\"https:\/\/app.markup.io\/signup\">sign up to MarkUp.io for free<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>See how smooth your review process will become in just 30 days.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Frequently asked questions (FAQs)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Still have questions?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We got you, buddy. Always.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Who is involved in the <\/strong><strong>creative approval process<\/strong><strong>?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>People involved in the approval process include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The creative team.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Team members from the marketing or legal department.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Project manager to monitor the whole process.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clients, so they\u2019re certain you\u2019re doing what they asked for.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How long does a <\/strong><strong>creative approval process<\/strong><strong> take?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It can take anywhere from a few hours to weeks. Sometimes, even months or longer, depending on the industry.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But if you follow the tips we\u2019ve discussed so far, you can cut down your approval time by half.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is required to build a <\/strong><strong>creative approval process<\/strong><strong>?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To create an effective approval process, you need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your merry band of creatives.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/blog\/online-picture-proofing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">proofing tool<\/a> with collaborative functions.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Internal stakeholders like your marketing team.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Client representatives.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Picture this: It\u2019s the day before your client\u2019s deadline, and not a single design has been signed off. Instead, it\u2019s revision after revision, each round seemingly looping back on itself.&nbsp; Reviewer C asks for changes that Reviewer A had previously requested you remove. It&#8217;s enough to make you feel like you&#8217;re stuck in an endless &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/blog\/creative-approval-process\/\">Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":203596,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-203595","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorised"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to build &amp; improve your creative approval process<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to build an effective creative approval process and what best practices you should follow to fine-tune it.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.markup.io\/blog\/creative-approval-process\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to build &amp; 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