You cannot control the person making comments on your blog or other forms of media, but you can control your response.
Fear of dissension can be conquered by establishing:
- Privacy Policy
- Comments Policy
- Legal Policy
Determine which comments are a valuable contribution.
Not every comment requires a response from the author(s). Thank the readers for expressing their thoughts. Your readers want to know you are reading/listening. Acknowledgement is one of the building blocks to creating a successful relationship. Questions should be answered. Turn the table and ask a question in response. Remember, social media is about open dialogue. Keep the conversation going by continuing the conversation on the commenter’s blog. This is a great way to get to “know” your readers. After-all, those making the comments cared enough to take time to leave a comment and share their thoughts and opinions. Tap into this enthusiasm.
Think before you respond.
Not all comments will be positive. Take a deep breath and step away from the keyboard before responding to an emotionally charged comment.
As fellow Now Is Gone contributor, Ike Pigott, says “Just listen with a thick skin, lest you lose your shirt.”
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:11 pm
In my mind a comments strategy is a bit broader than policies - it should include what you decide to do with comments. Do you commit to facilitating, responding, reciprocating, never commenting in your own blog only that of others?