Warning: Only the Brave May Enter (part 1)
Hello brave one!
You must be brave, because you are reading this blog. I am going to write about some scary stuff, but if you have the courage (I know you do) it could bring you some benefit. But you cannot be thin skinned. What am I talking about? I am talking about constructive criticism. Now before you raise your hands in the air and run off screaming in the opposite direction just settled down and listen. If you let it, constructive criticism can be a great asset. It should be remembered too that it should be a two way street. You should give it back, but careful when you do because you might make some enemies if it isn't done in the right way.
So, how should your receive constructive criticism and how should you give it. They say if you can't take it, don't dish it out. So let's look first at how to take it.
I have just started with WA but I know already that I am going to want input on my website from as many different people as possible...those in WA and those who are not...anyone. Of course, I read all comments that come through and I appreciate the praise but I also value comments that point out what I can do better and what may help to make my website more attractive and interesting.
There are at least three ways to react when someone offers you constructive criticism. You can become offended and angry, depressed or motivated.
Let's look at anger. If someone leaves a comment that says you're content is stupid, your images are ugly and your niche is pointless...well that might cause you to lose your temper and shake your fist at your computer. By the way, that isn't constructive criticism. That is just plain old insulting criticism. I don't expect you'll see any of that from WA members. But if you do get some comment like this...don't let it get to you. Try to determine if there is some reason they are saying these things about your site...you might even send them a comment back asking them to be more specific and please be more gentle next time. There may be no reason behind their comments, but there might be an element of truth which you could use to your benefit. If there is, instead of getting mad, make it even better. I try to learn from any criticism whether it is given as constructive criticism or just plain criticism...not given with the intent to help, but still possibly helpful.
Don't let constructive criticism depress you. We all have areas in which we can improve so don't waste your time beating up yourself over areas in which you may have made mistakes. I have always loved to write especially poetry. I have written poems that were downright awful. But I have learned that if I work at them and add and subtract from them I can get a good result. So, don't let constructive criticism get you down, just let it help you refine and make your website better. It's just a process of getting rid of the bad and adding the good.
Let it help motivate you. You can use the constructive criticism to inspire you to fix the possible weak areas and get stronger. Use it as a means to re-evaluate your content and your website to see where you can make improvement.
In my next blog I will examine how to give constructive criticism. In the meantime if you feel like giving some constructive criticism you may visit my website...but please be gentle. http://toysforchildrenwithautism.com/
Take care and I look forward to any comments.
Recent Comments
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Very good area of the educational process to bring up, with many good points to boot! :)
Jonathan you're going to go far because you do already understand that any feedback you get is an opportunity for improvement. I remember when I use to take negative comments personally now I let them roll of me unless I can gain some real value from them. Sounds like you already gets this concept.
Now with that said, here's some feedback for you. When writing long articles use sub headlines to break up the content. I tend to "babble on" in my articles. So I have found using this helps a lot & It will make it easier to read. Read some of my other tips here:
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/eddysalomon/blog/do-you-have-style
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/eddysalomon/blog/is-your-blog-a-coloring-book
I hope it helps.
Maybe I can explain a slight flaw in your argument, you see the real problem is not constructive criticism or negative criticism
The real problem is this:
If you ask people on WA to give you their feed back on your site you are asking the wrong people
The people you should be asking are your readers because they are the ones you are marketing to
When I see people comment on sites form WA, all you get is the same old stuff like this
Nice site - love your site, this is crap, you need to get out there and ask the people you are marketing to, to give you feed back
One of the best ways to do this is look at your bounce rate that will actually tell you information that is valuable
You are not trying to market to people on WA, so their feed back while well intentional is quite useless
What you actually need is feed back form real readers or customers that come to your site, they are the only ones that can give you any information that's of any value
When big business like supermarket change their marketing strategies do you think they ask their staff for feed back or their customers.
Marketing is about testing, not nice feed back form your mates
Their are no great marketers just great testers
Ask these questions about your site instead
Does your content convert into buyers
Do readers stay on your site
This is the type of information you need, not opinions form WA because you are not marketing to people on WA, so their feed back is of no value, your readers are the only ones that matter when it comes to marketing
Get to know how they feel and think
Build a relationship with your readers, not WA people
Barry
Thank you for explaining this to me early on in my business. Now I know where to look for help.
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Thanks Jon - I believe constructive criticism is healthy :) and will help us through to make our life much easier. It saves our time to keep on looking for answers.
By the way, I like your blog and bookmarked it already - I love children. My nieces and nephews are my best buddies :) They teach me to be simple and yet make it through and be happy always no matter what the circumstance is.
Your website is awesome and you are too... and I've left my comment.
All the best,
Jhen