Getting comments are a good thing but, would you still think the same if they were negative?
Some of you may say yes, some may say no.
Some may be able to handle these negative comments with grace but some may not.
So, how does one really handle negative comments?
Go ahead and check out these blog posts:
The Day I was flamed at my blog (and 7 ways to handle flames with grace) by Darren Rowse
How to Handle Negative comments by Mark Goren
Ignore ‘em or embrace ‘em? How to handle negative blog comments by Mack Collier
How should your company handle negative blog comments by Mack Collier
How to handle criticism by Steve Errey
Handling negative comments in social Media and in blogs by Richelle Anderson
Dealing with negative comments on your blog by Michele Martin
When is Negative feedback too negative? by Bradley J. Moore
How to handle customer comments by Jesse Stanchak
Crisis: Dealing with negative comments online by Gini Dietrich
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Andrew is a website builder and helps small businesses with their on-line presence…so they can grow their customer list and increase sales. That’s it! That’s what we do each and every day.
There are heaps of debates about whether to approve negative comments or not and how to respond – and you have written some of the best on the topic Andrew!
Personally, I look at the comment and decided if they are really commenting to leave their opinion, or just having a bad day and looking for someone to flame (if it is the second, I usually just delete it).
However, if they are leaving a legitimate comment, whether it is positive or negative, I will approve and reply. The one thing we have to realise is the the negative readers will be more likely to voice the opinions strongly – so their thoughts come across as the majority, when usually they are the minority.
Thomas,
Yeah – rude ones go straight to the trash or spam folder.
Negative is no probs and can create a good healthy debate.
Andrew
Justice says that everything said about you must be visible. But if the comments are way too negative to negate then one can also edit them. Off course they are not spammy because at times people want to give controversial comments to just get approved.
Jack,
There is a difference between negative and rudeness, don’t you think?
Andrew
I think that negative comments should be first investigated to be determined if there is any true in them. If there is just thank the guy and fix the problem. If there is no truth you may ignore them.
Sean,
There has to be somesort of judgement going on, doesn’t there?
We are the blog owners and we can publish or not!
Andrew
I have not received that many negative comments but when I do I reply to them and try not to get into a war of words with the author.
Dean,
If you are going to publish then you should comment – as your say.
Andrew
Hi Andrew
So far in my limited experience as a newbie blogger, I have only had positive and encouraging comments on my blog. I am sure if I were to get controversial this may change!
However, if it is constructive I would welcome it; especially if it an experienced blogger suggesting ways to improve my blog as I know I still have heaps to learn.
Patricia Perth Australia
http://www.lavenderuses.com
all things lavender
Patricia,
One thing that will grow over time and that is the thickness of your skin!
As you get more profile, more publicity and more comments…a minority will be out to put you down.
Andrew
If some time I get such negative comment which is hard to accept and reply..I usually Email the commentator making him understand why his comment can’t be accepted…
Harsh,
That’s a good approach – thanks for sharing.
Do many reply to your email?
Andrew
I used to received negative comment, but I only accept it, if it is true, if not, I will make the write to understand why it so and give him/her my view. No one is perfect, I learn from negative comment sometime by contact the commentator to exchange more view on the issue.
Luqman
I agree – sometimes it is worth taking the effort and contacting the writer in private rather than public.
Andrew
Despite its massive “business” attraction lately, blogging still has a strong personal component, therefore My blog is My home. I wouldn’t let anyone act badly under my roof, nor will I let one on my blog.
Negative comments, as you said Andrew, can create a nice debate, but simply as long as they are constructive criticism. Other than that, it’s all trash and spam, based on the level of lack of common sense.
Sometimes it’s really easy to spot a fella that just has a bad day, and then I’m making an effort to throw in a joke to relax the conversation a bit. It worked every time, as long as – again – common sense was used in the first place.
On business / corporate blogs, negative comments are a totally different story though and topic that could cause such comments are best avoided. Even so, you can’t always prevent them as people has a true passion for negativity and smacking competition. If it happens, pray your PR department is good enough to generate a timely and optimal response.
Hi Alex,
Thanks for dropping by and commenting – a great comment, in fact.
There are many trolls out there who just love putting you down.
Can you imagine the ‘hell’ big celebrities have to go through?
I think I wouldn’t read the papers!
Andrew
I find that there’s a huge amount of people who simply trawl blogs looking to highlight mistakes. Perhaps they have an inferiority complex? I allow comments to remain in my blog if there are constructive and help the reader.
Sarah,
I must admit I hate the ones that say, “you missed an apostrophe off” or “you are using the apostrophe the wrong way”.
Get a life…please!
Andrew
Hi, thanks for your submission to the Eighty Fifth Edition of the Blog Carnival Blogging. Your post has been accepted and its live:
http://thatsblog.com/blog-carnival-blogging/blog-carnival-blogging-eighty-fifth-edition
Thanks.
-ThatsBlog.com
I think some people are just flat out rude and should stay away from the keyboard until they can get a prescription filled to mellow them out!
Then again, maybe it’s their entertainment.
Steve
I think a lot of people get their kicks from being rude and nasty.
Andrew