You could just let it go without responding because most likely it makes the commenter look bad.Thanks a lot for sharing..
farm blogger helping farmers blog
Since we’ve been on the subject of blog comments, we might as well have another. First we talked about No Comments and how not to let it get you down. Then we discussed how bloggers are preventing more blog comments.
This week I received a timely question via twitter concerning negative comments from @UnchartedRhoade The following is the conversation. (I just love twitter. Don’t you?)
Some say, when you start getting negative comments you have arrived. So embrace them. But there are no hard rules about how to handle negative comments. Basically it is your blog. You can do as you please.
Every blogger is going to deal with the situation differently.
You could see it as away to educate readers by responding and correcting any misconceptions.
You could just let it go without responding because most likely it makes the commenter look bad. When someone is making a fool of themselves, just step out of the way.
Many times loyal readers will respond and defend you. So you could give them that chance.
How would I handle mean comments?
Depends on the comment. If it is fairly mild or has the potential to educate, I would let is stand and/or comment. But if it is completely offensive and they have no intentions of hearing my opinion, I would likely delete.
And I have no tolerance for anonymous negative comments. If they don’t have the backbone or whits to leave even a fake name, they’re outta here.
I would really like to hear how you have handle these types of reader comments. Please tell us below.
You could just let it go without responding because most likely it makes the commenter look bad.Thanks a lot for sharing..
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Great info for people get their blogs going. Don't let the naysayers scare you - and always take the high road. Another consideration is the following of the person on your blog (from someone who gets plenty of nasty comments and has a policy similar to what Judi describes). It does sometimes pay to respond to negative or contrary comments with facts, references, articles, etc. so that new readers or followers know the background.
@Michele Payn Knoper Yes. It definitely depends on the comment to how it is handled.
I haven't had experience with negative comments on my blog...yet :) But I have had some on my facebook page and on some articles that were about me online. I always have a very strong reaction, write down lots of very defensive ramblings...and then I delete that and walk away for an hour or so. I remind myself that many people are reasonable and usually will see a "hater" or "nay sayer" from a mile away and never give any thought to what they have to say. Also I have to remember that I'm here telling my story to help those who aren't already extreme in their mindset to get a little more knowledge about what I do.
@farmnwife I was interviewed for them. The one that I'm thinking of that's the best example was a story about our family's farm on the front page of a pretty big newspaper. http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2012/03/father_hands_over_the_oregon_h.html here is the link. Anyway since it was in the face of many people, it went from being a story about a family farm's legacy being handed down to people commenting on how the death tax in our state is or is not going to allow me to take over one day. Anyway just a lot of people who are mis-informed about the industry here. I responded to a few, but then got fed up and quit.
@farmnwife great post! I always try to use it to educate but some people just want to argue and call names (grrrr)
@unchartedrhoade commented on your post but those with http://t.co/aju82XcS cannot comment until you allow it; just fyi
@farmnwife Thanks! I changed it so they can now. I had it set to that earlier to prevent anonymous comments :(
@unchartedrhoade pls leave a comment on how you chose to handle it with a link if you like. I'm sure readers would love to know
Thanks for sharing this! I try to use it to educate but when they just want to argue and won't listen to my points or have an intelligent conversation I get frustrated!
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My response for anyone interested... (http://unchartedrhoade.blogspot.com/2012/06/comments-and-growing-thicker-skin.html)
Hello, I'm FARMnWIFE: A wife that farms in the middle of the mid-west. I created this site to help anyone involved in ag to raise their voice and tell their farm story online by creating or improving their blogs.
