Livingston

May
24
2007

How to Handle Negative Blog Comments

So recently, we engaged in a paid review exercise to see what people think about our blog. One guy, Alex, trashed the way our blog looked (He did like the content though).

There’s a lesson to be learned about new media from negative comments about the Buzz Bin. I believe that simplicity in design architecture is a must in any media form, and find busy blog designs to be pretty annoying. To be frank, I’m not sure Alex’s Blog to Make Money is the most aesthetic blog I’ve ever seen. But that doesn’t mean I’m right, he’s right or anywhere in between. So I’m just going to keep going as if nothing was written (though I did address Alex’s RSS comment).

Why? It’s negative!

Because new media is about freedom of speech. We can believe in a thing, hold it to the light for conversation, discussion, and yes, critique. That is what happens when you take a stand, and become known for it. You highlight a perceived truth, and hold your ground with unwavering integrity. And if you are taking a stand on a topic as controversial as the PR 2.0 debate in our industry or as minor as blog design, you should expect some heat. That is a God-given right in this country.

Negative comments do not necessarily mean you must yield, comment back or engage in crisis communications. Contrary views are not reasons for anger, to strike back, or to quit. They are a discussion. Blog criticism can be a catalyst to define your view further, and stand strongly behind your beliefs. And they can also make you change a la addressing an RSS issue.

I believe that new media strategies are absolutely essential for businesses and marketers that want to be successful in the 21st century. Several of my clients have reaped enormous rewards from them as has my company, Livingston Communications. That is because together we’ve engaged in dialogue with our communities– and took the heat good and bad.

Those of us that contribute to the Buzz Bin commit to continue our portion of the great dialogue about new media and its impact on businesses. Until our next posting, be well. And feel free to comment if you like or hate our blog design.

P.S. Also, a thank you to Alex for taking the time to write a thoughful criticism. It was helpful.

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by Geoff Livingston | Blogging |

5 Responses to “How to Handle Negative Blog Comments”

  • Jim Durbin Says:

    May 24th, 2007 at 2:36 pm

    You’re correct about the right way to handle negative comments, and it’s a smart thing to post a negative design review (it says you’re not afraid and open to constructive criticism).

    But something to think about in your use of ReviewMe. You are a PR4 blog, paying another PR4 Blog $40 to get reviewed. In return, you get a blogpost and a link, but you Eric also gets a link back in your post. In essence, the two of you swapped reciprocal stories, but you payed for it.

    Sites like ReviewMe, and the much worse offender, PayPerPost, also devalue the quality of the blogger who writes for them. Eric is saying he can be bought - and while he gets to keep his opinion, the people who use ReviewMe will find that they are selling out cheaply. The attempts to gain some of his traffic ultimately falter, as readers tend to ignore posts where people are given money for their opinion.

    If their reviews were good enough, they could make real money with ads and sponsors. If they are not, they’re taking a few dollars instead of working hard to generate real income.

    The line between editorial and advertising is already too thin. Just my thoughts - some constructive criticism.

  • Geoff Livingston Says:

    May 24th, 2007 at 2:59 pm

    Yeah, I’d have to agree with you. I read recently that ReviewMe was a good way to boost blog traffic, raise your visibility, etc. Using this blog as an experiment instead of my clients efforts is always the right thing to do, and in all, I am not too impressed with ReviewMe. But I am glad that I checked it out as exploration of new media does drive a lot of my efforts to learn.

    As to Eric getting a link back, I think in some ways this may not have been the link he was expecting or hoping for so I’d say let him get the points.

    Thanks for your thoughts, Jim. Do come back.

  • Alex Says:

    May 24th, 2007 at 5:38 pm

    Hi Geoff, I trashed your design because I think it could be much better, but that’s just my opinion..

    “I’m not sure Alex’s Blog to Make Money is the most aesthetic blog I’ve ever seen. But that doesn’t mean I’m right, he’s right or anywhere in between.”

    Everyone has their own opinion, and blogging is all about expressing honest opinions… That’s why I like this post!

  • Engage in PR Says:

    May 25th, 2007 at 9:12 am

    [...] But don’t fear my communications brothers and sisters…there are smart people out there who actually practice the fine art of Public Relations and are doing it with social AND traditional media! They are pushing back on clients and becoming strategic partners, not a clip-producing sweat shop. You want to eliminate the acrimony that drips when someone says “PR”? Read these folks each and everyday; Phil Gomes’ Blogservations Blogging Me Blogging you The Bad Pitch Blog A shel of my former self PR 2.0 PR-Squared New Persuasion Scout Blogging Marketing Roadmaps The Buzz Bin [...]

  • Customer Complaints and Virtual Bitch Slaps: Dealing With Web-Based Criticism Says:

    May 14th, 2008 at 1:14 pm

    [...] How to Handle Negative Blog Comments [...]

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