How to deal with slanderous comments

[rsavoia]

I produce a short podcast called Tech Ethics. Today I logged in here and found someone left a comment about the show. As it turns out he made accusations about me and my company that were false and I believe from the comments he didn't listen to most, if any of it or he would have known who I was.

I have been in business for ten years and have a reputation with my customers for honesty and integrity. Comments such as his in a venue where no one knows who I am outside of my local area only serves to hurt my chances of acquiring listeners and is in itself unethical.

Does anyone else experience this issue and if so, how do you deal with it? I wanted to post a rebuttal in the comments but I did not know if that was appropriate or even wise. Is there some way to handle this or is there nothing I can do? Is there a way to discourage this sort of abuse of the comments?

[docsnavely]

Welcome to popularity.

Once you get a letter like that, it's like a punch to the gut, but when you realize who wrote it (or they type of person who wrote it) you'll realize it's nothing to get stressed about.

I get one of those type letter every couple of months. After a while, you'll learn to let it just roll off your back.

[WyethDigital]

I agree with Josh. Let it roll off your back.

Making a big deal out of it will only serve to draw attention to it, which is, judging by your post, something you don't want to do.

I also own a business, and have been fortunate enough to have been able to satisfy most of my customers; but like all businesses, as in all facets of life, you will run into folks whom you just can't please, no matter how hard you try. All you can do is cut your losses and deal with the fallout, if any, and hope it all goes away, along with your disruptive customer. You only give them satisfaction by spending any more time on it than is necessary, practical, or profitable.

Eric

[808Talk]

I also agree with Josh and Eric. I just let the negativity fly by. If someone sends a comment that is tactful and suggest doing something different or a recommendation for improvement, then I pay attention to it and see if I can accomodate or if there is really any meaning behind it, but for generic complaints or hateful comments those don't bother me.

Sometimes I just respond with Aloha and Mahalo!

:D

[WyethDigital]

Oh yes. Absolutely. If it's constructive or makes a valid point, by all means make what use of what you can.

Eric

[docsnavely]

Unless the asshat (my new favorite name on pca) leaves a nasty comment on itunes. Then just have as many people as possible bury it with positive comments.

[Karla]

I produce a short podcast called Tech Ethics. Today I logged in here and found someone left a comment about the show. As it turns out he made accusations about me and my company that were false and I believe from the comments he didn't listen to most, if any of it or he would have known who I was.

I have been in business for ten years and have a reputation with my customers for honesty and integrity. Comments such as his in a venue where no one knows who I am outside of my local area only serves to hurt my chances of acquiring listeners and is in itself unethical.

Does anyone else experience this issue and if so, how do you deal with it? I wanted to post a rebuttal in the comments but I did not know if that was appropriate or even wise. Is there some way to handle this or is there nothing I can do? Is there a way to discourage this sort of abuse of the comments?

The best thing you can do is ignore them... people just say things to get your attention and if you post something back you are giving them you attention and chances are they will write back again. To avoid it getting blow up into a pissing match. I would suggest you not post any comments and ask your fans to post their reviews. That will push that comment down.
Remember people always say and do stupid stuff like that and the more popular you get the more you will recieve trust me... I had to grow thick skin. We have all been there. Check out some of my comments then you will feel better about your.
Trust me.

Karla

p.s. I always try to turn the other cheek and not use the eye for an eye theroy... believe me you will feel better about your self

[WyethDigital]

p.s. I always try to turn the other cheek and not use the eye for an eye theroy... believe me you will feel better about your self
Yep! Take the High Road!

Do it enough, and you could be like Dana Carvey's Church Lady (http://www.danacarvey.net/carpics.html) character and do the Superior Dance!

[EclecticMix]

I finally got my first negative comment - it actually was an email sent to me. British singers sound like they are singing with American accents to me, and when I mentioned that on my current show I got an angry email stating that because of this I must be US-centric.

My first idea was to blast the person, but I simply sent an email back stating that the thinking was a non sequitur and left it at that. She returned the email with an apology that she had gone over the top and we have had a nice conversation since.

Taking the high road has its place in that it makes you more difficult to be attacked. If there is a way you can calmly rebutt what was said then that might be appropriate, if not then you might consider simply deleting the comment (I can't imagine using a system that did not allow me to remove comments I felt were inappropriate).

Cheers -

george

[rsavoia]

Thanks, folks, I appreciate the advice. I was tempted to respond but felt that it would only draw attention to it. I just didn't know if there was a standard protocol on this site for dealing with that. I guess the only thing to do is let it go. For the first comment though it sure stands out.

[docsnavely]

Hey rsavoia, you and I are in the same city. pretty cool.

[WyethDigital]

Thanks, folks, I appreciate the advice. I was tempted to respond but felt that it would only draw attention to it. I just didn't know if there was a standard protocol on this site for dealing with that. I guess the only thing to do is let it go. For the first comment though it sure stands out.

Leave one of your own -- one that completely ignores it.

BTW, I just added a comment and shot you a vote, so you're one step closer to burying it :)

Oh, and you can vote for yourself, too, if you're into that.

Eric

[ChrisFrez]

Sometimes you just have to have real thick skin. Don't worry about it, just ignore it - that is the best response :)

[WyethDigital]

Hey rsavoia, you and I are in the same city. pretty cool.
I know I'm behind on some episodes, Josh (well, waayyy behind, really -- I just listened to your one about buying an iMac last weekend), but I didn't realize you were back in the states!

Eric

[paulyb]

I finally got my first negative comment - it actually was an email sent to me. British singers sound like they are singing with American accents to me, and when I mentioned that on my current show I got an angry email stating that because of this I must be US-centric.

My first idea was to blast the person, but I simply sent an email back stating that the thinking was a non sequitur and left it at that. She returned the email with an apology that she had gone over the top and we have had a nice conversation since.

Taking the high road has its place in that it makes you more difficult to be attacked. If there is a way you can calmly rebutt what was said then that might be appropriate, if not then you might consider simply deleting the comment (I can't imagine using a system that did not allow me to remove comments I felt were inappropriate).

Cheers -

george

Sorry to barge in here - the mid-Atlantic drawl is something both sides of the pond are guilty of. Elton John sounds like he's from The Carolinas and I've met Americans who swore blind The Stray Cats were English!

Oh and internet slander? Water off a duck's back - type "Paul B. Edwards" into Google and enjoy the ride!

[EclecticMix]

My girlfriend is great at recognizing accents (she did study in London for a year), but it is simply another in my long list of shortcomings. <g>

Cheers -

george