What to Do with Negative Blog Comments

Receiving blog comments of any sort at your site is actually a great compliment and should never be overlooked. For anybody to care enough to post comments shows that at least 'somebody' is paying attention to your site. This type of interactivity is common to many popular blogs and it is usually a sign you are doing something right. There are times however when a blog reader may leave a comment that is not favorable of you, a post or perhaps the site itself. What do you do and how should it be handled?

Firstly it is important to realize that every successful blog will experience their fair share of comments like these. It is HOW you choose to handle negative remarks that can impact your popularity for the better or worse. Every comment should be considered by its content and relevance as to how you should respond, or not.

Here are 5 suggestions as how to handle any readers who post comments on your site that may be negative in nature.

Stay Calm

Always remember to NEVER take any comment personally whether it is good or bad. Readers do not know you well enough for you to take their remarks to heart. That being said it is wise to give thought to any remarks a blog reader has left BEFORE you respond. Whether you are answering a question or responding to a remark you want to put a little thought into what you are about to post. If visitors post comments that are critical or even insulting ALWAYS maintain an even demeanor. Do not over react in a way you will regret later or will cast you in a negative light.

Decide Whether to Allow Comment

The decision needs to be made as to whether a comment left even has any relevance to you, a post or the other readers. If it does not then do not even allow it to be shown.

Maintain Your Objectivity

As we mentioned above do not take any comment personally good or bad. If a negative comment is approved and shown on your site reply to it in an objective manner. If a person retorts in a negative manner or remains combative simply ignore and flag future comments from this person. As the site owner you have a certain responsibility to maintain a user friendly site for your readers. A successful blog is one that always puts the readers first.

Thank Person for Their Input

No matter what type of comment has been left if it requires your response thank the person for their input. This cordial approach will always gain you friends and even sometimes positively influence those who may not currently agree with you. In either case when people post comments it is a sign that they are 'involved' on your site and you should be thankful.

Learn From the Input

The most popular blogs improve by learning from the input their readers give them. Often times the best feedback you get is negative in nature therefore view it as constructive criticism. Always strive to gain something from any remarks left and view all your feedback as an ongoing learning process for improving the way you blog.

Blog comments of all sorts are good for your site since it indicates that somebody actually gives a damn! Look at any of the most popular blogs and you will see a high level of interaction through the number of remarks left. When a blog reader however happens to post comments that are negative these remarks should be viewed objectively. The 5 suggestions we spoke of here target responding to any comments as long as they have relevancy for you and/or your other readers. Always pay heed however to the tone of your response. Maintaining a 'civil tongue' will only serve to increase the esteem in which your readers will view you.