Comments on: How to Handle Negative Blog Comments

By: Customer Complaints and Virtual Bitch Slaps: Dealing With Web-Based Criticism

Customer Complaints and Virtual Bitch Slaps: Dealing With Web-Based Criticism — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:14:52 +0000

[...] How to Handle Negative Blog Comments [...]

By: Engage in PR

Engage in PR — Fri, 25 May 2007 14:12:56 +0000

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By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 24 May 2007 22:38:31 +0000

Hi Geoff, I trashed your design because I think it could be much better, but that’s just my opinion..

“Iâ€™m not sure Alexâ€™s Blog to Make Money is the most aesthetic blog Iâ€™ve ever seen. But that doesnâ€™t mean Iâ€™m right, heâ€™s right or anywhere in between.”

Everyone has their own opinion, and blogging is all about expressing honest opinions… That’s why I like this post!

By: Geoff Livingston

Geoff Livingston — Thu, 24 May 2007 19:59:15 +0000

Yeah, I’d have to agree with you. I read recently that ReviewMe was a good way to boost blog traffic, raise your visibility, etc. Using this blog as an experiment instead of my clients efforts is always the right thing to do, and in all, I am not too impressed with ReviewMe. But I am glad that I checked it out as exploration of new media does drive a lot of my efforts to learn.

As to Eric getting a link back, I think in some ways this may not have been the link he was expecting or hoping for so I’d say let him get the points.

Thanks for your thoughts, Jim. Do come back.

By: Jim Durbin

Jim Durbin — Thu, 24 May 2007 19:36:22 +0000

You’re correct about the right way to handle negative comments, and it’s a smart thing to post a negative design review (it says you’re not afraid and open to constructive criticism).

But something to think about in your use of ReviewMe. You are a PR4 blog, paying another PR4 Blog $40 to get reviewed. In return, you get a blogpost and a link, but you Eric also gets a link back in your post. In essence, the two of you swapped reciprocal stories, but you payed for it.

Sites like ReviewMe, and the much worse offender, PayPerPost, also devalue the quality of the blogger who writes for them. Eric is saying he can be bought – and while he gets to keep his opinion, the people who use ReviewMe will find that they are selling out cheaply. The attempts to gain some of his traffic ultimately falter, as readers tend to ignore posts where people are given money for their opinion.

If their reviews were good enough, they could make real money with ads and sponsors. If they are not, they’re taking a few dollars instead of working hard to generate real income.

The line between editorial and advertising is already too thin. Just my thoughts – some constructive criticism.