Inbound Internet Marketing Blog

SEO, Blogging, Social Media, Landing Pages, Lead Generation and Analytics

SUBSCRIBE

The HubSpot Inbound Internet Marketing blog covers all of inbound marketing - SEO, blogging, social media, lead generation, email marketing, lead nurturing & management, and analytics. Join 57,702 others and subscribe now!

Subscribe to RSS feed Add us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter

Get Free Marketing Info!

Get the world's best marketing resources right to your inbox! Join more than 817,000 inbound marketers!

Subscribe by email

Your email:

HubSpot's Inbound Internet Marketing Blog

Current Articles | RSS Feed RSS Feed

How to Deal with Negative Comments [Marketing Cast]

 

.

If you have been blogging for a while, you have probably felt the frustration associated with negative comments. If you are new to blogging, you probably fear receiving biting criticism.

But you might be surprised to learn that, as David Meerman Scott points out, "negative comments can sometimes be a good thing." In this episode of the Weekly Marketing Cast, David discusses how marketers can deal with negative comments.

Understand the Criticism

"When you have somebody who is thoughtfully critical of you, respond to them and show that your organization is human and you are a caring person," says David. Critical comments can spark meaningful and authentic discussions. Responding to them shows that you are attentive to the remarks of others and that you are not just rambling in a vacuum. As David points out, your responses will demonstrate that "you are eager to understand what this person has to say."

React in the Same Channel

"It is always a good idea to react in the same media that the comment was made in," says David. If someone posts a tweet, tweet back at them. If they leave a blog comment, comment on the same post. "If they did a video, do a video in response," says David. Pay attention to people's preferred method of communication and continue the dialogue on that platform.

Don't Respond to Bullies

"If it is a thoughtful comment, it deserves a response. If it is a bully--and all they are trying to do is bully you--you don't have to respond to that," says David. Trust your guts to evaluate if a comment is attacking you or your argument. If the commenter is being insulting without providing any meaningful criticism, feel free to ignore that.

How do you deal with negative comments?

Free Download: Better Business Blogging in 2011

Free Download: Better Business Blogging in 2011

This 24-page ebook features tips and ticks from some of the world's best bloggers

Download this free business blogging ebook today!

Posted by Magdalena Georgieva on Mon, Jan 24, 2011 @ 08:00 AM

COMMENTS

I agree with DMS. Negativity is part of life and entrepreneurs should deal with it. If it is just emotion, everyone will see right through it and figure the the person had a bad day (which happens to us all). All comments help you define your value proposition.

posted on Monday, January 24, 2011 at 8:08 AM by Dan Tyre


I have been dealing with negative reviews online as opposed to negative comments, and it is a nightmare.

posted on Monday, January 24, 2011 at 8:29 AM by Bill Bishop Attorney


Hey Magdalena,  
 
Thoughtfully critical comments are often hard to take, but are really great for pushing ideas, topics and discussions.  
 
A bully with no logic to their input is easy to spot and, like David mentioned, shouldn't be given much attention.  
 
But a think skin and an appreciation for criticism can actually create great opportunities to expound upon an idea in your blog or other shared content and further prove yourself a thought leader to those on the fence. 
 
Great post and video. 
+Ralston

posted on Monday, January 24, 2011 at 8:32 AM by Ralston Vaz


I never see "negative" comments as someone who attacks me. I rather see it as a comment I can learn from. A blog is usually based on someones opinion. That doesn't mean people have to agree with it.  
I think it's always nice to have interaction and discussion around your blog. And if you understand what other people think, it will only make you better.

posted on Monday, January 24, 2011 at 8:38 AM by Elroy van Ouwerkerk


I have a client who is being bullied by one person on various review sites with malicious attacks.This has hurt the clients business profoundly although the attacks are very obviously written by the same person.It's very difficult to overcome such a problem and the review sites turn a blind eye to the problem.

posted on Monday, January 24, 2011 at 8:46 AM by Anna


What is the best way to deal with Negative reviews?

posted on Monday, January 24, 2011 at 9:23 AM by Danny Rosenberg


Good topic here. Personally, I'm a big fan of negative comments. In fact, if I'm not getting them I'm a little concerned that my opinion is too bland. Bloggers aren't meant to live in a world of grey...it's got to be black and white. One must have a strong opinion to get traction. Thus, any comment is a good thing.

posted on Monday, January 24, 2011 at 9:29 AM by Marcus Sheridan-The Sales Lion


The way to act on a negative review depends on the type of review. Is it a review about you as a person or about the article you wrote?

posted on Monday, January 24, 2011 at 9:29 AM by Elroy van Ouwerkerk


I must be doing something wrong, no one has attacked me yet! Something to strive for....

posted on Monday, January 24, 2011 at 9:47 AM by Paula Lumsden Haggerty


Same here Paula! I guess it is only a matter of time before someone catches on, but it really is nice to have some biting criticism here and there. It especially helps you to develop better content for your blog. 
 
http://www.audacitygroup.com/?cat=1

posted on Monday, January 24, 2011 at 11:09 AM by Audacity Team


If someone is attacking what I am writing that is one thing; because blogs are usually opinion based. However, if they leave negative reviews, for example that I am uninformed etc... what would be a good way to respond to this?

posted on Monday, January 24, 2011 at 1:53 PM by Danny Rosenberg


Great points. Based on my experience, the best way to handle negative comments is to address them in a level headed manner that hopes to figure out why the source is so upset and then try to do something to prevent the issue from arising again. It is almost impossible to avoid all negativity, but it is also a great opportunity to find issues and improve customer satisfaction by resolving those problems. I definitely agree with the ignore bullies because some people just want to complain.

posted on Monday, January 24, 2011 at 2:43 PM by Molly Griffin


Good point Molly. There are always bullies. And I have to agree about the way to handle these things. The source is important.  
Besides that you can always have a good discussion and interaction with people who really know what they are talking about. You can only learn from it.

posted on Monday, January 24, 2011 at 2:54 PM by Elroy van Ouwerkerk


A perfect strategy to deal with negative comments. Social media is all about communications, and if you have strong and clear communications strategy in place, then it's really going to help you. I completely agree with David. He has really hit the nail by pointing out some key methods to take negative comments in positive way.

posted on Monday, January 24, 2011 at 10:20 PM by Kapil


It is a fact of life that there are times when things can go wrong with all the best will in the world. We at www.winegifts4u.co.uk try and deal with any negative comments as quickly as possible. Generally we tend to ring, but I like your note on repond in the media in which the comment was broadcast.

posted on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 4:37 AM by Asgar


Solid advice. Too many companies try to hide instead of fix their faults. Reminds me of classes where teachers tell us to give and take constructive criticism so that we can become better students and be better at our chosen fields. In the business world, it's important to monitor what others say about you so you can take constructive criticism and turn it into something positive. If we were all spoiled brats we would never grow up and we would never live and learn. That kind of life is an unpleasant one, and, more often than not, catches up to us.

posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at 11:02 PM by Harmony Wheeler


Comments have been closed for this article.