How To Deal With Negative Comments On Your Blog
As a blogger, if you have not received any negative comments about one of your blog posts…You Will!
You need to understand that not everyone is going to agree with you…and that is okay.
You can not take negative comments personally. If you do, it will drive you crazy.
Negative Comments Can Be A Good Thing
Believe it or not (you should believe it), negative comments are a sign of growth of your blog. As your blog gets bigger and more popular, you will also see a growth in negative comments.
This does not mean that you should try to piss off your readers. You have to remember that you can not please everyone all the time, so you should not even try to do so. There will be a diverse group of readers that comment on your blog and that is good for you.
Negative Comments Can Encourage Good Discussion
I think you would agree that your blog would be boring if every reader commented “Great post, I love what you have written”. Having negative comments only encourages converstation and not just between you and the commentor but with all your readers. You will find that many of your readers will defend your position and many of your readers will not. The negative comments will bring readers from both view points to post their comments about the issue.
Don’t Believe People When They Say They Are Leaving Your Blog
There are very few people that will say that they are leaving your site and will never return and actually do what they say. It is possible they may not visit as often but it is rare that they never return. Some people love controversy and will continue to return to read what you have to say so they can disagree with you…that’s okay!
How Should You Handle A Negative Comment
The best way you can handle a negative comment is to thank the reader for making their point and addressing their concerns. Never fight back at the commentor, you would look very unproffesional.
I would recommend that you edit out any profanity from readers comments but never just delete the post. Remember that any comment, both good and bad, will drive traffic to your blog.
Have you ever had someone leave a negative comment on your blog? if so, how did you handle it?
Do you think there is a better way to handle negative comments on your blog?
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Filed under: Blogging • Internet Marketing
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Hey Rick, you’re right about taking it personally because it can drive you crazy. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and as long as they do it a good manner (not just full out blasting you and cursing you) then it is okay. It’s just important to keep on with business as usual and know that you have to take the bad with the good.
Anna
.-= Anna Haller´s last blog ..Do you wANT to succeed =-.
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Rick Reply:
July 6th, 2010 at 11:59 am
@Anna Haller,
Thanks for sharing. In this industry you have to have thick skin. I have seen a couple of bloggers fire back at their readers because they did not agree with them. Not only did they probably lose that reader, they definitely lost me.
- Rick
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You’ve covered all the most important points and you did so in a succinct and easy to use manner.
I usually have at least my 2cents worth to add, but I’ve got nothing, but…
I want to agree whole-heartedly with the idea that you should not fight with your commentators. It is never beneficial and can only lead to trouble.
Some people live stir the pot and cause trouble. Don’t feed into their bizarre needs for attention and control. They don’t deserve it.
.-= Blog Angel a.k.a. Joella´s last blog ..Guest Post Content Are You Posting Original Articles =-.
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Rick Reply:
July 6th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
@Blog Angel a.k.a. Joella,
Thanks for stopping by. You are right that some people just enjoy stirring things up. We can’t give in to those people, we have to be the better person.
- Rick
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Hi Rick,
I think that negative comments are just as good as positive comments. That is, they do help to make the conversation a bit better.
The problem comments are those where people are outrightly abusive and that is not ok. I have only had one comment that I had to censor & that was because of language used towards another commentator that I thought was inappropriate & rude.
Really, if we all agreed on everything then there would be little to no reason to continue blogging, or talking for that matter.
Have a great day and put your opinions out there!
.-= mark´s last blog ..How Change Can Happen to You =-.
[Reply]
Rick Reply:
July 8th, 2010 at 10:33 am
@mark,
Thanks for sharing.
It is so important that bloggers do not take the wrong track in how they react to negative comments. As you mention, they make the converstation a bit better.
- Rick
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Well, what a load of ….!
I can’t believe what you’ve written this time, Rick!
How CAN negative comments be as good as postive ones! That’s ridiculous!
You must be doing SOMETHING wrong to get people’s backs up, surely? Or maybe you haven’t researched enough, or something?
Anyway, I totally disagree with whaat you said in this post, now how are you going to deal with that?
Jaycee
(Do you think I’m kidding?
)
.-= Jaycee´s last blog ..Insider Secret Video =-.
[Reply]
Rick Reply:
July 8th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
@Jaycee,
Thanks for sharing your opinion and thanks for my first negative comment.
Haven’t you heard that even bad publicity is good. The same goes for negative comments. It can keep the discussion going, hopefully with not only the blooger and the original commentor but the all the readers.
So what does everyone else think?
- Rick
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Hey Rick,
If I get a negative comment now I will strangle you lol.
Thanks for the tips, if I ever get a bad one, I will know what to do, and not worry too much about it.
Still waiting to see these videos you have done, where are they???
Sally
.-= Sally´s last blog ..Alex Jeffreys Student Blog Competition Result =-.
[Reply]
Rick Reply:
July 8th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
@Sally,
Thanks for stopping by. I have created the videos but I have not posted them yet. One day I will get them edited and posted.
- Rick
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Hi Rick,
Great information! I have not yet received negative comments but am sure that as I progress they will come my way. I will take your suggestions to heart so when someone blasts my way I will better know how to deal with it. I believe you are correct that negative comments can be as important as positive ones in giving readers something to think about.
Thanks!
Best Regards,
Alice
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Rick Reply:
July 8th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
@Alice,
Thanks for commenting. I am glad you found the information useful. I am sure you have heard the saying “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”. The same goes for negative comments.
- Rick
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Hi Rick!
I once heard someone say that a negative comment should be cause for celebration, because for every negative comment, there are tons of other people who are just LOVING what you’re doing.
Great article!
.-= Jess Webb´s last blog ..My Email Addiction =-.
[Reply]
Rick Reply:
July 10th, 2010 at 10:07 am
@Jess Webb,
I have not heard that before, but I like it.
- Rick
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Again it does depend of the level of negativity of the comment. If it’s a personal attack I’d probably not approve it.
If it’s an attack on business practices or something not quite personal, but maybe a little bit, I will allow the comment & hope my community fires back with their thoughts.
But if it’s a negative, critical comment but well thought out. I’d approve it
.-= Rhys´s last blog ..Social Media Day Manchester – smdaymcr – Thoughts =-.
[Reply]
Rick Reply:
July 13th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
@Rhys,
You make an interesting point about the community. Depending on how long the community has been going, I would think that they would also participate in the discussion. Afterall, more discussion is what we want to faciliate, right.
- Rick
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Rick-
I loved this post. I think sometimes a negative comment is a great way for you to show that you respect everyone….that is if you handle yourself with a bit of courtesy, policy, and grace. Treat others with respect, and they will defend your honor.
Negativity on something you wrote can be taken as, or swung into, constructive criticism – and be used as a way to grow and learn from things to be a better ____________. Harnessing that is important!
I too agree with editing out profanity, lets keep our sites clean for viewers of all ages….right?
I like the fact that you tackled this issue. I think this is one of those issues that people may shy away from – but education on all topics is necessary!
Thanks for your insights!
Jerry
.-= Jerry @ TheOnlineSuccessProgramBlog.com´s last blog ..What can TheOnlineSuccessProgramBlogcom do for you =-.
[Reply]
Rick Reply:
July 15th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
@Jerry @ TheOnlineSuccessProgramBlog.com,
Thanks for sharing your opinion. As bloggers we do have our opinions but once we hear other points of view (what we might consider negative comments) it is possible that we change our opinion. I am not brash enough to think that my opinion can not be changed.
- Rick
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I’ve had people who do not agree with things I have posted on my health blog. I approve the comment as everyone has a right to an opinion but I can often reply to the comment with the research to back up what I have posted.
You can’t do that in the Internet marketing niche but I think as you say it helps to generate good discussions. In fact I think it’s a good idea to try to leave a comment that could arouse some curiosity.
Sandy
.-= Sandy Halliday´s last blog ..Article Submisson Service Submit Your Article Review =-.
[Reply]
Rick Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 7:44 am
@Sandy Halliday,
Thanks for sharing. You are right, there is nothing wrong with stirring up a little curiosity if it can stimulate discussion.
- Rick
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Took me time to study all of the comments, but I really loved the post. It proved to be Really useful to me and I am sure to all of the commenters here! It’s always nice when you can not only be informed, but additionally entertained! I’m sure you experienced enjoyable writing this post.
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Yes it’s true. We really can’t please everyone so just let it be. It was just like a ship, it sink because it let the pressure take in. So don’t let the pressure sink in within you so you won’t be drowned into the sea of failure and suffering.
[Reply]
Rick Reply:
October 3rd, 2010 at 7:43 pm
@Andy @ squinkies bubble pack,
Thanks for sharing!
You’re so right about the pressure. We have to take it in stride and not get drowned.
- Rick
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Thanks for sharing. As a SM marketer sometimes I have a hard time of convincing my clients that negatives can be a good thing. I look at it as a potential way to turn a detractor into a promoter.
The same strategy that you outline can also be used on Facebook pages as well. Transparency and honesty are key to a valid social media presence.
[Reply]
Rick Reply:
December 15th, 2010 at 8:55 pm
@Patrick Padley,
Thanks for stopping by and sharing.
You’re right about transparency and honesty are key.
Have fun!
- Rick
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Great information! I’ve been looking for something like this for a while now. Thanks!
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Personally i think as long as the negative comments have no bad language then i dont usually mind! everyone is intitled to their opinion and as long as their willing to listen to yours then thats fine – theres no such thing as bad publicity – Very True.
Great Read and will be back!
Katy from Moshi Monsters Talking Furi
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Negative comments can be seen as an opportunity to drive interaction and more interesting discussions. There are some bloggers who tend to delete comments like these. Aside from comments with profanity, negative comments should never get deleted. Discussions would not look natural if all you can see there are positive comments.
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