Comments on: Ignore it and it’ll Go Away? – Responding to Criticism Part 2

By: stories from a Public Relations life » when do you respond to online criticism?

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 04:35:28 +0000

[...] Darren Rowse, of ProBlogger, explains why he always responds, even to angry posts: [...]

By: Lester

Lester — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 12:44:15 +0000

I fear criticisms made on my blog posts. None have been done yet so far (to my knowledge).

Thanks, Darren, for this post. Your advice will help me handle criticisms when they come my way.

By: A.B. Dada

A.B. Dada — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 04:36:38 +0000

All publicity is good publicity. I have a nom de plume, too, for some of my more vitriolic content, and my pagerank increased based solely on criticisms from others who kindly linked to me.

In the long run, I wouldn’t ignore criticisms, I think you’re right that making a kind reply can often turn the table in a debate and make it lively instead of heated. I’m also surprised at how many of my prior foes are now more regular readers and even drop positive comments (and links) from time to time.

Everyone is “wrong” on occasion, it just depends on the topic. Those who get criticized the most tend to get more props, too.

By: Alexis

Alexis — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 00:30:09 +0000

Your own readers are always the best defense against a bad poster. Of course it’s your blog you can always remove them :)

For some great motivational stuff visit my blog http://www.secretsforhealth.blogspot.com

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By: Alvin

Alvin — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 03:29:00 +0000

A pleasant surprise when I had someone comment negatively on my blog was the number of readers who jumped in to ‘defend’ me (it turns out the commentor was a nice guy after all).

By: David Askaripour

David Askaripour — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 06:01:08 +0000

Well said Darren. Thanks for the insight. I’ve been attacked in the past and I everytime I handled the situation with respect and got respect back.

dave
http://www.cashcampus.com/ftt

By: Pamela Stewart

Pamela Stewart — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 03:40:58 +0000

I agree wholeheartedly with your perspective Darren. I find that many angry flaming criticisms are some people’s attempt to vent anger that has its root elsewhere. I had the horrible experience once of getting a scathing, flaming negative evaluation from a class I was teaching at a university. I had taught it numerous semesters to excellent reviews, in fact, my co-teacher and I were the highest rated instructors in the program. But the student who reviewed us was so incensed that she attached a typewritten page with her handwritten review. She thought we were horrible, unfit to teach, unprofessional, and a whole bunch of other “uns” that I can’t remember now. The worst part? During class she was all smiles, and we had no idea she felt this way. By the time we read the evaluation, it was too late to have a discussion with her to correct course or find out what was really troubling her. To this day, many years later, I still feel the sting of not being able to discuss her concerns.

The best antidote to dealing with criticisms I have found in Don Miguel Ruiz’ The Four Agreements. He says never to take anything personally (good or bad) since whatever someone else says is more about them than about you. Read the book to get the full scoop. It has saved me heartburn more than once!

btw – Great blog – keep up the good work.

By: Josue

Josue — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 00:57:57 +0000

Chris Garret writes how to critique without offending. He says:

” * Don’t be personal – Comment on the creation not the creator
* Be factual – Opinion is fine providing you can back up why you think the way you do
* Have a point – Attack is fine providing you have a reason other than just to hurt someone else
* Empathise – Try thinking from the other point of view, does it have validity?”

link > http://performancing.com/node/1890

By: Marqz

Marqz — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 00:04:38 +0000

I agree with you.
Certainly, there are many “trolls” out there but I’ve seen many people being called “trolls” just because they disagree. How convenient is that? If you are a professional blogger, you must have a professional behavior at all times. Ignoring people is definitely not professional. Would a company do that?

By: Darren Rowse

Darren Rowse — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 23:33:51 +0000

yeah you’re right Kim – some people are not orth the time and effort :-)

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 23:27:32 +0000

These are great points. I realize that when I mentioned ignoring flames that I had a particular blogger in mind — one who doesn’t respond reasonably to calm explanations, and whose readers only flame harder in comments when a calm response is attempted. This blogger has written such appalling things about me on her blog that I decided not only to let it go, but not to fight her on the libel because I simply have better, more enjoyable and productive things to do with my time. In other cases, I have chimed in to very positive responses.

By: Stuart

Stuart — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 23:10:23 +0000

A kind word might turn away wrath …

but sometimes a good swift kick in the goolies can seem more satisfying.