How to Deal With Negative Blog Feedback

How to Deal With Negative Blog Feedback

Everyone has an opinion. Some people are excited to tell you about theirs. Whether you want it or not. I grew up riding horses, and this was something I learned early on. The more grizzled and experienced the horse lady was, the more likely she was to tell her opinion. This particular type of person always thought they were right. There was no alternative, and there was no changing their mind. Little did I know, but those experiences of my youth would prepare me for the motorcycle industry as an adult. Some people have an overwhelming need to share their disapproving opinions with you. So, what happens when you experience this negative blog feedback? Let’s chat about effective ways of handling it.

Negative Blog Feedback and Its Impact

While you hope your motorcycle blog will resonate with your target audience, you can’t please everyone. The more your brand and blog grow, the more likely it will be that you receive negative comments. The content of these comments and how you handle them can have a positive or negative impact on your blog. Negative comments can damage your motorcycle brand’s reputation. They could bring up points that deter potential customers from purchasing from you. Some may spur a loss of trust in readers. The decline in trust can translate to a drop in sales and brand loyalty. It can also lead to a decline in SEO performance. Search engine crawlers can take the negative sentiment and lack of trust into account when deciding how your website ranks.

Don’t Get Personal

Don’t Wait 

While you don’t want to make a rushed response, you also don’t want to wait too long to respond. The sooner you respond, the better it looks to the commenter and other readers. Set up notifications to help you monitor comments. A timely response shows that you are responsive and active. You want your brand ready to engage with your target audience.

Evaluate 

Removing Inappropriate Comments

Unlike the last section, some comments are negative and inappropriate. These comments spread toxicity and do not add value to your blog. You may hear these types of comments referred to as “trolling”. The sole purpose of these comments is to entice a negative response from you or someone else. Do not fall for the trap. Ask yourself, what was the goal of the person posting? Don’t be afraid to delete and block commenters who repeatedly abuse your blog comment feature. You don’t want toxic commenters alienating your target audience.

Responding to Legitimate Critics 

Some of the negative blog feedback and comments on your blog will be from legitimate critics with valid points. These are knowledgeable people with a genuine interest in having a dialogue about your blog content. They may challenge you to validate your research or verify your statements. This may seem intimidating, but it is actually a very good thing. You have a few options on how you handle these comments and respond. The approach you take can change with each comment. 

One option is to clarify your statements. Perhaps the commenter didn’t understand or assumed the point you were trying to make. Another option is to take responsibility. Perhaps the commenter has a valid point, and you realize they are right. Own up to your mistake, as it will gain the respect and trust of your target audience. It can also add a sense of realness and relatability to your brand. 

If you disagree with the commenter, you can respectfully debate them. Draft a thoughtful response that acknowledges the commenters’ statements while also making your point. Finally, you could agree to disagree. This may be your only solution if you fail to come to a meeting of the minds. 

Rebuilding Trust with the Audience

If negative blog feedback has eroded your target audience’s trust, you will need to work hard to rebuild it. The first step is to start practicing transparent communication while sincerely apologizing and taking ownership of any wrongdoing. The next step is to put quality controls and standards in place. Reference authoritative sources when making claims, use testimonials, and produce case studies. Engage more with your audience and regularly update them. 

Building a Crisis Communication Plan

Sometimes, you can’t predict the negative blog feedback. You think your blog content is good to go. You post it and share it on social media. Then, the negative comments start flowing in. Having a crisis communication plan in place can make dealing with this situation easier. Perhaps you designate one person to become the company mouthpiece. That ensures a consistent brand message. You could prepare a PR statement that you have ready to ensure a quick response. You could have an if this, then that, decision-making tree that guides your marketing team on how to handle potential situations best. 

Anticipating and Managing Challenges

You can avoid a lot of negative blog feedback by anticipating it. This can reduce the amount of negativity directed towards your motorcycle brand while also encouraging engagement. For example, when I write about challenging topics on my blog, I address all sides. By acknowledging the different opinions, I create credibility. It also lets the reader know you acknowledge multiple mindsets. Sometimes, pointing out an awkward or difficult topic right away lightens the mood and reduces animosity. Of course, there will always be someone that is never satisfied. Accept that you cannot please everyone. Do not water down your brand voice or message to appease everyone. You won’t accomplish this and will lose your brand identity in the process. 

Conclusion

Handling negative blog feedback on your motorcycle blog is both an art and a science. While not all feedback is constructive, it provides an opportunity to improve and engage with your audience. Remember, it’s essential to respond professionally, promptly, and with a focus on the blog’s topic rather than personal matters.

As a motorcycle content writer, I understand the nuances of managing your online presence, dealing with feedback, and maintaining a strong connection with your target audience. If you’re seeking expertly crafted content that resonates with your readers and showcases your brand’s unique voice, consider hiring me. Let’s work together to enhance your blog, rebuild trust, and create valuable content that keeps your audience engaged and informed. Contact me today to explore the possibilities!