First WA Criticism and I'm $@$@#
I've been a Wealthy Affiliate member for a couple of years but I've only been active for about one year. The story I'm about to tell is why I limit my association with people on the internet.
I saw that my latest blog posts needed some comments so I tried the site comments platform for the first time in a while. There was only one blog on which to give a comment and it was not a topic that I'm really interested in. I should have gone with my initial instinct and just skipped it, but I needed the credit so I read the post and picked out some points that I thought I could use. I added the comment which I believe was an appropriate length and contributed as much as I could considering that I'm no expert on the topic. The author requested comments from all four categories so I gave overall feedback which went beyond "great post".
So, this morning I get a notice that the comment was disapproved. Okay. Then I read the feedback. They said my comment was too general. Okay. Then they added that I should go through Kyle's tutorial on giving feedback correctly.
I'm ready to blow a gasket. Don't get me wrong. I'm not some spoiled kid who can't take criticism, but I don't appreciate when people go out of their way to make you feel like an idiot and disguise it as "helping". Sorry, but you're not my boss.
I've given close to 20 comments, all have been approved with appreciation for my efforts. If a comment isn't what you're looking for, just leave it at that. Don't tell someone they don't know how to give proper feedback. I think this platform is based on the personal taste of what you're looking for. Are you that insecure with yourself that you need to insult others to feel big?
Then, I get in the email that if too many comments are rejected you're banned from the platform. So, my comment doesn't fit someone's taste and I get threatened with getting banned?
I've gone through the trainings and I don't promote WA, I'm actually an education blogger. Maybe this platform isn't for me anymore. I'm paying 50 a month for site hosting basically. I really don't need this, I can get comments off Facebook.
I've already seen the issues with abusive speech on the live chat, which I don't use. But maybe there should also be a training on giving appropriate feedback. I just feel that I went out of my way to try to help someone and I got slapped in the face.
I think it goes without saying that I WILL NOT be using SiteComments anymore.
I don't know, maybe I do sound spoiled but I swear I'm not. Thoughts?
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This happened to me and I felt similar to the way you do at first. I ended up reaching out to the person that rejected my comment via their website contact form and basically telling them in a civilized way that I did not appreciate being condescended to.
They replied and explained that they did not mean to sound condescending at all in the past somebody else had told them to go through Kyle's training when their own comment was rejected and they found it very helpful. So they were trying to pass it on and be helpful as well.
Don't take this the wrong way, but I think you're overreacting. It can be difficult but maybe try giving the person the benefit of the doubt. They might just be trying to be helpful by doing something that was helpful for them in the past.
In any case, even if they were condescending to you, it's really not a big deal. There are all types of people in this world and some will not jive well with you. Especially on the internet, where we lose many things essential to communication (body language, inflection, etc.) and things can get lost in translation.
It's probably best to not spend too much of your time and energy focusing on this type of thing if it's an isolated incident.
I believe they just did and made some improvements to the site comments platform. So, it's suppose to be better now. Don't give up on things just yet. Don't let one negative thing throw it all away. Your hard work and efforts have came to far for something like that too give it up.
We have to be able to take criticism sometimes and I know you can but maybe the other couldn't. Not that you criticised them but maybe they thought you did in a certain way in their mind. I don't know. I'm just saying, don't give up everything because of one individual.
I know you know that the WA platform as a whole is one of the best that's online and has everything you need to succeed. I hope you're encouraged to move forward in your business. Take care and have a great day.
First, did you give a comment or feedback? It seems you bounced back and forth between the two in your story.
SiteFeedback is to give tips on how to make their site more enjoyable by the general public, where SiteComments is to give comments as though you stumbled across their article while surfing and wanted to engage the content.
Both provide help, but one is posted on their site. This makes it a very personal thing, as it can actually have an effect on their business. That is the reason I had a few rant posts about SiteComments.
It is also the reason why this person CAN give you this kind of reason for rejecting your comment. Something you may have thought was a great comment...perhaps didn't engage the target audience he is after, since you admit to not being interested in the content in the first place.
I think, in this case, you possibly should have followed your gut and skipped it.
I totally get how you feel. I would feel the same way if that happened to me. It's so needless and petty. I'm sorry!
Hi,
You've been here a year now. You're also in the Top 200 but never used SiteComments. Is there a particular reason why?
I am asking simply because I have been here about 6 months and haven't used it either. I have made the odd comment for others but find it extremely challenging. I just find that often the topics needing comments are not something I feel capable of commenting on,
Greg
Greg, the honest answer, is that when the site was remodelled I was so busy flitting from one idea to another that I just did not investigate the WA platform enough. I have in fact offered comment on members sites if asked, but that is all.
Regards
Stuart
"They said my comment was too general. Okay. Then they added that I should go through Kyle's tutorial on giving feedback correctly."
I don't see anything wrong with them sharing this information with you. But I do believe that you took it to mean something personal which I just don't think is the case.
From being here a couple of years now I take things for what they are worth. When I started I thought I was the best at everything. Then reality set in as I got more capable of observing my own behavior.
I used to get pissed off when anybody would imply that I wasn't accurate with what I thought. I don't know your life story but from this post, it sounds like you may be holding onto something bad which needs to be dealt with so you can let it go.
Hopefully, you don't take the let it go part wrong because I don't give advice for the sake of seeing my own words. I suggest things that I believe deep down will set you up to be able to relax more in your own life.
I used to believe that I was a worthless person and that everyone had it out against me. That was a part of my background and experience which I didn't like to mention. Don't feel bad for me because I am tougher than you know.
So, getting things pointed out to me all the time used to hit a nerve. Don't f***ing think you know me because of one sentence I wrote...
It may have taken me two years to develop into a different person but I can say for certain I fell in love with the new person I became.
Patient, willing, flexible, persistent, and somebody who can hear what is going on with another which makes it easier to feel their emotions.
If you want to find out more about how you can improve things follow me and take a look at what I write.
Hopefully, you feel better now that you have vented but use this experience to teach yourself how to keep control over your emotions.
People like other people who are sincere but they don't like to hear people always complain. Become willing to move on quickly and to look at the other person as having a bad day.
Eric
Really?? I think you are misguided in your thoughts here. And now it seems like I am picking a fight. Personal comments are just that. Training or not, there is no right way to make a comment. That's why they exist, not just to be mislabeled.
Not everybody who states an opinion, that you do not agree with, has internal issues.
I am not afraid of the debate or saying what I think.
Honestly, you kind of prove the point.
You aren't just being asked to comment anything. You are being asked to create something that engages the audience...to help the business owner. And they are being asked to do the same when you use the credits you earn for doing so.
It seems you're displacing blame, and not taking responsibility for a sub-par comment, then looking for justification from others. A tiny bit more criticism, and you get defensive.
I believe you are right when you say this place possibly might not be for you.
Not meant as a personal attack, I just don't think you are in the right place to succeed here.
You are trying to assist the other person and their business. You need to follow a structured example of how to give appropriate comments and not feedback.
How would you like it if I sold you something that didn't work? Would you simply complain about it or would you do something about it?
You must play a role or become a character who has just performed a Google Search. That means you are not free to be yourself instead you put yourself in the shoes of somebody else who would be looking for a solution to their problem.
General comments are worthless because they don't extend or improve the relationship. I also, do not want you to be apparent that you came to the site just to say nicely done.
What is so hard about following the useful direction to give comments that are an asset to another person business. Geez, If I wanted your real thoughts as you, I would be on social media.
There is no argument because you are wrong to give an opinion, that is done with feedback and needs to be constructive to a point.
That's worth a chuckle to. Been here for 4 years. Everybody is so sensitive in life. It's more amusing then anything. Comments are comments, they have to be personal, regardless of how explained or what the focus is.
Can you point out where I say this place isn't for me? This is healthy, I don't believe I am wrong. I believe ultimately, this is just more justification for people to have to hear things exactly the way they want them.
My comments are not case in point, the whole thread is case in points the comments and feedback here are simply flawed.
Sorry, due to your similar and defensive response, I accidentally thought you were the author of the post.
You know what, it is all good. If anything, this whole thread does demonstrate we all believe in communicating one way or another!
I am the author of the post and I must disagree with something you said about me "It seems you're displacing blame, and not taking responsibility for a sub-par comment, then looking for justification from others". Even if it wasn't directed at me, I get that's how you feel.
I'm still grateful for you taking the time to get back to me and I liked your comment. Thanks!
I agree with @merlynmac, brush it off and move on. I don't promote as much here either. Seems everywhere sufferes from this a little, WA seemingly no different, in some ways, not all. Which is why I stay. The hosting is worth it.
Having said ALL that, listen to your instincts next time. Right?! Have a good one friend.
it is not a perfect system, but it is the one on this platform,.
i can see a point where all other threads are switched off and the one point is sitecomments - hopefully when all of the niggles have been ironed out.
but as a blog owner you will come across others adding negative comments to your site.
ok so it was reinforced by the email (strange i never got one when my comment was rejected) but you are not banned.
mine was rejected for being too complex!!
so i would keep giving comments till you do get banned then take it up with Kyle.
take snapshots of why you are being rejects and what comments you are providing.
or as you say - just work on your own site and get natural comments. this is what i am doing as there still appears to be a lot who are using comments as a way to make a bit of money.
But just smile, think well it is they who are missing out and carry on with your training or site.
phil
It's a fickle world. You're going to get rejections from time to time for various reasons. One of my comments was rejected because it didn't further the writer's point of view. It wasn't argumentative or rude in any way but it didn't fit their point of view and so they rejected it.
I'm actually grateful because they could have completely rewritten it and I wouldn't have been able to do a thing about it. Once you submit that comment, it becomes theirs to do with as they see fit.
I know you feel the message was rude and/or threatening but that may not have been the writer's intention (it might have been but it's hard to say for sure, unless it came with wording like "Hey dumba**...").
I'd brush it off and move on. It's not worth the time or energy to engage in such things. You can spend that time improving your site.
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I ss it up here all the time! PEOPLE SHOULD THINK BEFORE THEY SPEAK. Blow it off babe and keep your eyes going forward