What is the best way to deal with negative blog comments? That was the question last night at a weekly blogging chat (#blogchat) hosted by Mack Collier (@mackcollier). The discussions that occur weekly, center around bloggers discussing blogging — and what a great discussion it was.
So, how would you answer that question? What do you do when you receive negative comments on your blog?
Here’s a look at the awesome contributions into the discussion of negative blog comments:
My Take on Dealing with Negative Blog Comments
First and foremost, understand negative comments will happen. If they haven’t happened yet, they will, its inevitable. Dealing with them right is first a matter of being prepared for them. It’s sounds basic, but I’m surprised at how many bloggers and businesses feel side-swiped when they do receive negative comments. Don’t. Get used to it.
Because you know negative will come, develop a comment policy BEFORE, not after you start getting them. Set your blog boundaries, define them, and publish them with a link leading to your full comment policy. Important for you, as the blogger, and more important for your audience. When trouble does arrive, you’ve got clearly defined standards and guidelines to impose — rather than reacting out of emotion and irrational feelings of being attacked.
How you deal with negative comments will define for your audience how much they can trust you. Trust is important in the social economy of the blogosphere (and beyond). Hiding comments, deleting comments, ignoring comments — big mistake. Always respond, and always take the higher road and return the conversation to a positive level, tit for tat never works. Always, always be transparent and willing to admit when you’re wrong.
Use the negative as a platform for continuous improvement. As one tweeter noted, remember, when one comments negatively or shares negative discourse about your business/blog, you can surely bet there are more in line who are not as vocal. Take every negative and look at it honestly. Look for ways to improve on your end to rectify the negative. When you’re wrong, admit it, correct it and move on.
How do you deal with negative comments? Anything to add to the list?
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Make sure you join @MackCollier and others every Sunday night at 9pm EST (6pm PST), make sure you use the hashtag #BlogChat so everyone can follow your questions and contributions. And be sure to subscribe to Mack’s blog, a definite standout in the blogosphere!
See you there next Sunday!
Maria 
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Update: I came across a few blog posts today that further the discussion on blog commenting, from the commenters and bloggers perspective, great stuff…
Mack Collier’s How to Write Great Blog Comments
Sonny Gill’s Read Whole Blog vs. Skim Blog When Writing Comments
About the Author...
Maria Reyes-McDavis is a colossal geek brainiac, certified genius IQ with university degrees in Finance, Economics, Business Management and an MBA. Maria has served over 300 pro-level, digital marketing clients as founder of online marketing firm Digital Peas & Carrots. Maria is Founder and Editor of Hyphenated Americans, a conservative politics blog and Proverbs 31 Project an online women's ministry. Most importantly, Maria is a wife to her king, mother of 3, lover of basketball (Go Lakers & Clippers!), classic cars and is currently training for professional women's roller derby!
