Okay, so that's not always true, but for the most part, even a nasty comment from a blog troll can provide an opportunity for something good to come of it.
Rather than acting upon your gut reaction to delete a nasty comment on a blog you worked hard to create (and/or a topic you feel strongly about), consider leaving it there and respond to it in a way that reinforces your professionalism and expertise. Or, if it is a complaint about a service you provide, use your reply to address the concern and hopefully change that person's feelings by impressing them with your responsiveness.
It's also a chance to inject some humor into the topic if, for example, you got a particularly snide comment from someone who chooses to remain anonymous (or at least fictitious!). Laughing it off shows the troll - and your readers - that you can roll with the punches as well.
Lisa Barone of Outspoken Media offers some great tips for minimizing the negativity and increasing the comments you do want on your blog. They include:
- Setting (and enforcing) ground rules
- Rewarding positive participation
- Responding to comments
- Setting a good example for the tone and content of your blog
- Not letting the trolls get to you
Bloggers, what do you do when someone posts a negative comment? Blog readers/commenter, do you read blogger responses? How important is a timely response?
Megan Kilgallen is an Account Executive at Long Island advertising agency Austin & Williams and assists in the management of the agency's largest B2B and B2C accounts. In addition, she serves as "blogmaster" for A&W Unplugged. To read more about Megan, visit her bio section on the A&W web site.
Comments – 4 responses to “There's No Such Thing as a Negative Comment”
Care to comment? We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Jul 21, 2010 at 9:42 AM Nice post Megan! On WOMMA's blog, The WOMMA Word, we don't get many comments. However, sometimes a strolling troll finds their way to it. I think your advice for dealing with them is spot on.
Your blog is your work and your passion. A troll's passion is aggravation. Don't even bother. They're irrelevant.
Pat McCarthy
Social Media Coordinator | WOMMA
Jul 21, 2010 at 9:49 AM Thanks Pat! We feel the same way about our blog - and our work - here at A&W, so we like to consider even the most negative comments simply a jumping off point to start a new conversation!
Jul 27, 2010 at 2:27 PM In a similar light, you shouldn't shy away from responding to a comment made on your comment on another blog. Comments are another way to get noticed and gain trust in a certain community, and if your comment garners opposition you should rebut as you would to a negative comment on your own blog. Here is an example: http://mashable.com/2010/07/27/last-5-years-mobile/#comment-64656044
Jul 27, 2010 at 2:32 PM Excellent point Jay! And of course commenting with a relevant link always helps improve traffic to your own site, for those looking for an SEO boost!