How to Handle Criticism: a Practical Guide

[snakeair]

A nice blog post to read on this cold Monday morning.

As bloggers, each of us has to deal with criticism. Blogging is a very public activity—almost all of us has the goal of gaining readers to our blogs—and the more people you reach, the more likely it is that you’ll hear criticisms.

“You’re wrong…”
“How can you say that? You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I couldn’t disagree more…”
“This is the last time I read this blog!”

These are just some of the criticisms bloggers regularly face—I’ve received versions of all of these many times over the years, and if you’ve been blogging for any length of time, they’re probably fairly familiar to you, too.

Criticism can be deeply painful. As I explained here, the difficulty in dealing with criticism caused....

Continued at: http://www.problogger.net/archives/2...actical-guide/

Any thoughts on this article?

[kju385]

A difference of opinion may cause you to re-check your facts, do a little research, and respond to the criticism with evidence that supports your case—perhaps in a follow-up post.

Interesting post, I believe a difference of opinions is actually a desired criticism while blogging. People often make mistake of taking comments on their post as a personal attack on their opinion. All people have different views, some are white, some are black, some are rosey. Even facts can be brought into question. Why is it desired imho then? Let's face it, a heated debate draws a lot of interest. If you have good arguments, have no fear to enter into one. If you don't have much of the case, you can still attract attention to your main points. The key issue is to keep the conversation as civil as possible, respect all the benevolent comments and don't get involved emotionally.

[JPC-Sabrina]

Don't argue over the criticism or critical comment. A war wont' allow your view to progress or be seen in a different light. I always try to move forward and/or ask the opinions of others. A civil debate if more productive than arguments.

[ScriptMan]

After all, they took the time to tell you what they didn’t like, which means they do care about you and your blog.

This is the thought each and every one of us should keep in mind. I realize there are always a few mal-contents who will leave negative message just for something to do but the vast majority are not those people. When you get too old or set in your ways to learn something from non-positive feedback you should just retire to the rocking chair cause your usefulness is already done.

[seolyka2]

Very worth to read!

For me, as a blogger, it's good to consider criticisms and take them as a challenge as this is a great way to improve more your skills in blogging. The mere fact that they took time to read your blog post and suggested some of the aspects that need to be improved only shows that they do have an interest on your blog and they want you to improve it to let you provide a better blog post on your succeeding blog updates.

[Anton Zaleski]

Interesting to read. Criticism often helps to develop abilities, excluding situations when you're criticized because of pure envy. You have to know your true value to treat criticism right.

[stone]

It's an important topic, but I felt like the subject could've stood a little more development.

Feedback is good, negative feedback has tremendous potential for helping in a lot of ways.

First of all, "ditto" comments are not interesting, but someone that brings valid criticism to the table helps in topic development.

By answering the criticism in comments, or with an additional posts, the commenter has added dimension to the blog. I always thank people that have helped me to develop the topic.

Even trollish comments can be harnessed. Anything "on topic" that invites a response is helpful.

It is unfortunate that some people take feedback personal. What we have to say about the post we just read has nothing to do with what we think of you as a person, There's no need to take it that way. Anyone that is publishing for public consumption is going to have an off day, and receive notice of that fact. If we can take it in stride, the blog stands a chance of improvement as a result.

May as well face it, nobody has a blog that is so perfect that they have no room for improvement.

Another great topic Snakeair...

[Kutcher]

I have read all your comments...its a good posts you posted.

iam a blogger and have accounts in diffrent blog websites like blogger,wordpress etc.
when i get critisism from any person, i get a chance to improve my quality as a blogger by giving him a satisfactory response....there is rule for blogger every one has to write on the topic in which they have good knowledge and strongely believe on it....it all...if you got critisism dont take it personally ..... reply to it and try to clear the persons doubts with your strong points on that topic.......keep blogging

[Seven3]

Or you can do what most insecure blog owners do and just delete/ban anything they don't agree with, plenty of that on the net. Not looking to point fingers or name names though.