Dealing with negative blog comments

The first time you get a negative comment on your blog can be devastating. All your "feel good" thoughts about building community go right out the window.

Immediately, you start wondering if blogging is worth it. Then, the "fight" gene kicks in and you want to defend yourself or your organization.

Although it’s tempting to jump to defend you might want to take a good look before you do just that. Here's what I do with negative comments:

1. Review what they have to say. Is anything in what they wrote true? Did they leave a name or way to contact them? (Usually it means they have a genuine concern)

2. Think carefully before you comment or post. Maintaining good blogger relations depends on how you respond to the bad as well as the good.

3. If you find the comments have some merit. Admit it and explain your side of the story. That's usually all people want to know. If the comments do not have merit, state why and move on. No one believes you are perfect. Having a few negative comments will actually make you seem "more human" and morelikeablee.

Lastly, deal with negative comments. You have a blog, use it.