Embracing constructive criticism
One of the hard things bloggers face is constructive criticism. Bloggers embrace positive comments but you’d be surprised how many delete (if they can) constructive criticism. Note the wording I used: constructive criticism. By this I mean a well thought out expression of feelings which happens to be negative….it could be positive. 
Let’s look an example: Marcus recently tried to submit his blog to 9rules and shared his experience. He had a negative experience and that saddens me but I am glad he wrote about it because he did something I don’t recall anyone else doing before: he tried to submit his blog to 9rules by posting a note. On his site you can see the screenshot of the note he posted introducing his blog. If you are familiar with 9rules (particularly if you are in my queue of submissions I have been reviewing for months) you might smile a little because, as Marcus said himself, it’s funny. We closed submissions months ago while I plow through them one by one, taking a more in-depth look at the sites. I love it because the process allows me to get to know the blogger a bit better and the blogger receives feedback on their blog. But honestly, the thought never crossed my mind that someone would think to submit their site by posting a note, especially since submissions are closed. The second rather ironic thing is that I didn’t know Mike had deleted the note and emailed Marcus so if Marcus had not said anything, I would be blind to the fact people thought they could submit their site to 9rules via posting a note.
Marcus, thank you for posting your experience because it gave me another area to address for Ali2 (the next version of 9rules).
By Marcus writing his opinion, it prompted others to express their opinions, which Lynne did. Reading what she said we’ve addressed many of those things in Ali2 (phew!) but that doesn’t change the fact that one point is missing: submission to 9rules used to be closed except for perhaps three or four 24-hour periods per year. Submissions to 9rules is usually closed. We received so many emails/comments from people who missed the 24-hour window (rightfully frustrated) and there was never an ETA on when the next one would open. Not very inviting is it? However, when I kept submissions open we received so many that I ended up closing them to get through them all. So it’s a catch-22 - keeping them open and be flooded or keep them closed and be uninviting. It’s one of those scale issues that most companies face when they grow - but that doesn’t change the fact that the problem exists.
At 9rules for the most part we do not hide anything…heck if we tried someone would call us out on it. That’s not the case for many bloggers. There are many sites, some very high traffic, that will delete comments (no matter how concise and respectful they are phrased) to give the perception that everything is rosy. Deleting the comments does not make things rosy, instead it’s ignoring potential problems. I see this often with comments pointing out errors with an entry. Correcting the error and deleting the comments make it seem like the situation never occurred. Guess what? You’re trying to hide you didn’t do your homework. Properly thank the person that helped make your entry better and give them the credit that is due.
As difficult as it can be, particularly when you first begin receiving them, embrace constructive criticism. Step back, look at the situation objectively and see if the comment is warranted and if there is area for improvement. This is crucial for commercial ventures. Take it as a learning experience instead of a negative situation. Turn a negative into a positive. And be thankful that someone cared enough to express their thoughts….getting people to engage with you isn’t an easy task.
I turned comments off on this blog because I’ve been neglecting them. Right now my priority is getting through the 9rules submissions and prepare for Ali2. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to hear from you. The sidebar is your friend.
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