Last week I was looking at some stats for one of my blogs and a new inbound link caught my eye. I went to check it out and found one of my blog posts mentioned in a forum thread.
The post wasn’t from this blog, its from my tech blog which has been around for a bit longer. The post is a step by step solution to a fairly specific scenario. The link itself was fine, it was one of the responses later in the forum thread that caught my eye. Basically it said that my credibility as a source was questionable because the solution I recommended did not take into account a later version of one of the products.
Taking Criticism to Heart
I admit it stung a little bit to see that comment, particularly because it came from someone who holds a highly regarded credential within that global community, one that is hard to get and even harder to keep.
Blogging is a tough game to get into, especially when you’ve got other commitments like a day job, family, and so on. Finding the time amongst all of that to launch and maintain a blog, and write detailed blog posts with solutions to real problems just to help other people out is hard work.
And when you see people taking even a little shot at your credibility it can really hurt. Enough that you sometimes wonder why you bother blogging in the first place.
Where is the Gratitude?
I took a closer look at the blog post’s traffic. I know people have used it to solve their problems, because some of them have kindly left a comment to say so. And it solved my problem at the time, and that of my colleagues many times after that. So I know that the problem is a tricky one, and that my solution works.
But for the thousands of people who have read the post, only about 20 or so people have commented to say thanks.
I looked at some other content on the site. One of the most popular items is a freely downloadable guide that demonstrates step by step how to upgrade from one version of a product to another one. Over 2000 downloads, but only 21 responses to the follow up email that asks for feedback.
Should I Let it Get to Me?
You might be thinking this is a negative post, or that I’m having a whinge. I’m not. In fact I’m trying to make a positive point.
Should I be hurt by that criticism I received? Of course not. The post that is being criticised is nearly 2 years old. Of course it is being obsoleted by newer solutions, thats the nature of the game.
Not all criticism means you’ve failed as a blogger. The next time you cop some criticism instead of getting upset try to look at it in a constructive way. Could my post have been written better? Has it become out of date, and could I update it to make it accurate again? Am I wrong, or is it just that they disagree with my opinion? Is the person just taking a shot at me as an attention strategy?
And should it bother me that my posts don’t get hundreds of thank you comments and emails? Definitely not. I’m not in this for the praise. If I was I would have quit after the first month.
Just because no one is saying you’re doing a good job, doesn’t mean you’re not doing a good job. People are quick to criticise or give bad reviews, but fewer people take the time to say thanks or leave a good review. If you want to change that then instead of just meeting people’s expectations you’ve got to exceed them by a long way.
So Why Do I Even Bother?
I appreciate every reader who takes the time to stop and say thank you. They give me the energy to keep going. Without them I would have to dig even deeper and find the energy some other way.
I know why I’m doing this. I’m doing it to create value for the community and get value in return. Sometimes that value is reputation, sometimes it is a new skill, sometimes it is money. All of it helps me provide a good life for the people most important to me, my family.
So why do you bother?
Image Credit: Flickr
About Paul Cunningham
Yeah, I totally get what you mean, but that
there’s only one tiny percentage that expresses their gratitude by commenting or simply giving feedback in any kind of form. But I also think that people who don’t comment appreciate what you write and give to them – they just do it silently. For me it’s enough to know that I make my part of giving inspiration – no matter how small the impact. If you keep going , and only keeps getting better, and more and more people will appreciate it !!
I can’t get upset about it, after all I’ve read thousands of useful blog posts where I forgot to leave a comment :-)
Let me be the first to comment and say Thank You Paul. You’ve really helped me with my blogging and with some serious motivation when I needed it.
I know what you mean about questioning why we bother – but it’s not for external validation, but internal validation that we continue to help others.
I have been absolutely floored by some of the appreciative comments on my site that thank me for something that I thought was so trivial. Knowing that you are making a difference in someone’s lives is pretty darn rewarding.
In appreciation,
Karen
True Karen, often we take for granted how the stuff that seems simple to us is so helpful to others.
Thanks for your nice comment.
I know how it feels. It is never nice being knocked when you are trying to provide good content and trying your best to help out.
But you know what, every single person is different and everyone responds to things differently. Never will everyone be 100% satisfied, but as long as you know you are doing the best you can…voice your opinion. There is always going to be different ways to do things, but do not let it derail you. Always see the positive in it…even though at times it can be hard.
Brandon
I’m lucky I work in an industry where there is always someone who thinks you are wrong or disagrees with you. It helps develop a thick skin and remove emotion from it all. I wish more people could say the same, and not be crushed by criticism.
I hope you corrected the guy.
http://xkcd.com/386/
Well, Paul, this is too freakin’ weird because I was just thinking a little while ago (like an hour ago) that I wanted to send you an e-mail or comment or something to say “thanks” for the encouragement you gave me on the post about fear by Nathan Hangen.
What I was going to say was this: I have been working hard to learn about blogging for about the last year. I have wanted to develop a website about home-schooling for years, got serious about it the last year, and launched it today.
When I first started to learn about blogging I signed up for lots of different newsletters from different blogs, bought various products that teach you how to blog, how to make money blogging, etc.
I found a couple of months ago that my inbox was getting overwhelmed with these newsletters and I just didn’t have the time to read them all. And frankly, I didn’t need as many because I had already learned a lot. So I decided to unsubscribe from several of the newsletters I was getting. I think I get about five now, including Problogger, Jonathan Fields and…you! Yes, I kept you on the short list.
I find your blog posts to be some of the best and just wanted to let you know. Don’t know if that will float your boat but I hope it encourages you somewhat!
Anne, those are guys I really look up to so its very kind of you to put me in a short list with them. Thanks so much.
So so glad you bother… or I wouldn’t have found your smart, familiar reminder that I’m not the only one feeling under-appreciated by an online community that — well, never mind, but it’s swell to hear from you what I’d tell someone who feels like I do sometimes…
And if I may speak for the 99% of those who won’t/don’t: much appreciations ~ !
Your pal,
~GirlPie
Why should we bother? I think the answer lies in what you said:
‘Keep blogging long enough and eventually you will start to attract some critics. ‘
As they say in PR, even free negative publicity is still publicity. And that simply means
you’re becoming popular. Cheers!
This is a great, timely, thought provoking post. I think one that many bloggers can relate to. Blogging can sometimes seem like a “thankless job”. :-)
I “bother” because I enjoy teaching, connecting, and perhaps making a difference in other’s lives. But you have to take the good with the bad, as with all things in life.
Glad you “bothered” to share your thoughts on this. :-) Much continued success!
Paul,
Wow! I found your site about week ago, and I have been coming back everyday. Another thing I woke up this morning thinking okay, he’s (that’s you Paul) the guy I will ask to help me. I have come across so many on the web who do what you do but never have I come across someone who can explain for my non-techy self.
Thanks Paul, and yes I do want to hire you.
Linda
Ouch!
Guilty as charged.
Thank you for reminding me to be grateful for your hard work.
I needed to hear that.
I’ll do better… I promise!
-AL