If you are going to be a blogger, especially blogging about technology, you are going to find yourself a target for every Tom, Dick, or Harry who has a computer and an internet connection. Most of these people will disparage your work because they can. Opinions are like … well you know the rest. So here are some of the techniques I used to help me grow a thick skin.
The first thing I look for is if they comment about the article with specifics. If they do, then quite often it is legitimate criticism and so I read it. When comments are made and it is obvious that they have not read the article or post, then I can throw their comments out. Accept criticism of your post if it is obvious that it has been read. You don’t have to take their advice, but at least you can be at little heartened that they read your post.
If they swear at you, then you either hit the mark, or the person is not very intelligent. Contact that person’s ISP for a terms of Service violation if it is effusive and is hate speech classified under law. In my opinion when someone uses foul language their argument is worthless. They should express their opinion without using epithets. I auto-downgrade every post that uses foul language regardless of their argument when that is permitted.
If your post has been read three hundred times, and you get two positive comments and 9 bad comments, then really you have had 291 positive experiences and 9 bad. When people do not comment, I consider that a positive experience. People who do not comment have neither a very good reaction, or a bad reaction. Most people in the world will not express their opinion unless it is deeply negative. That’s just the way of the world.
If you’re controversial, expect bad reactions. Don’t be surprised when you get them. In my political blog I express my views, and I expect to be vilified on occasion. I take it as a badge of honor when I recieve bad comments from people.
When you receive unwarranted negative comments, or comments that are over the top leave them be. Sometimes all a person wants is to be recognized or paid attention. Replying to a comment gives them that positive stroke they crave. I leave these posts as is, unless someone asks to have it removed or any swear words redacted. I usually want these around for the amusement of my normal readers, and also to gently remind people of the ignorance of some.
When you blog remember that there are people out there with hate in their hearts. They may hate the platform that you are blogging about, or the company, or the team. They will come to your site, or to someplace like Reddit.com and make disparaging comments. Grow a Thick Skin by using some of these techniques I have written about here.
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