There are about seven billion people on the planet. Every one of us is different. Every one of us has opinions, tastes, inclinations and preferences.
And every one of us is difficult to please.
If you work hard at marketing your website and your products, you'll be able to put them in front of a few thousand of those people. Work really hard and build successful products, and maybe millions will see them.
By the law of averages alone, some of those people aren't going to like what you've produced. If the product is good and your marketing well-targeted, most will say they appreciate it. Some will be lukewarm about it.
And a few will hate it.
There are always people who hate what other people have done. Walt Disney might have created one of the most successful companies and some of the best-known brands in the world, but there's no shortage of people who say they hate Disney. There are just millions and millions more people who say they love what he did.
The more successful you become, the more criticism you'll attract. It's inevitable.
What the haters say though isn't important. How you react is important.
Your first reaction should be to ask whether they're right.
Criticism is an opportunity to learn. Just as there will always be criticism, so there's always room for improvement. Hidden among the hate, there might just be a fair point that can make your service even better. That's worth looking for. Always look to see if there is a grain of truth.
Often there isn't. Behind the criticism that you can find in the comments to your blog posts or the reviews your products receive will be nothing more than envy. You've built something that other people enjoy. They didn't build it and they hate you for it.
And that's perhaps the best thing you can take from criticism of your own success. When someone cares enough to criticize you, it's a great sign that you're making a difference. An unfounded criticism is really the best kind of compliment.
IMHO the following caveat needs to be put in the article: Complaining and criticizing are habits. Sometimes we need to see complaints as just anothers habit--and you don't need to place a value on their "time". They are willing to waste it, and yours in the habitual reactive critical comments. Being open to information is an ideal mindset, but discernment in your openness is a requirement for success.
People are sometimes too free to give advice and criticism simply because it is free to give. There are several things to consider before opening your mouth and inserting food, or putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard.
Openly criticizing someone can get you in trouble these days. There are laws that can be enforced even on the internet as some Twitter users are finding out, as companies sue for slander when they are misrepresented.
I spend a few years as an artist and would display in art shows. If you have a thin skin that is one area to avoid. Now I write, and that is also an area where you have to realize you can not please all of the people all of the time.
There are 100s of flavors of ice cream because not everyone likes vanilla.
Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
When you point a finger 3 are pointing back at you (the thumb always does it's own thing).
There are several quotes about taking care of your own business before judging someone else. Those were 2.
I think I have just had some inspiration for a blog post for me for today.
I Dugg your post. We can all use reminders like this from time to time.
Thanks for the post.
I agree with some points here.
i think this is some late reading..but, ey i liked the post
Thanks for the post.
Criticisms are made for the people who attracts the attention. That why we have "being criticized for".
I agree with you on that Joel.
You can take criticism in two ways, either personaly or learn from it.
Keep in mind however, some people like to bithch about something simply because they can hide behind a computer screen.
However in saying that we should not ignore criticism, we should evaluate it and see if there is any truth in what is being said. If there is, take it on board, learn from it and make adjustmenst. If there isn't, simply ignore it & more on...
In addition often people who criticise are those that are for some reason jealous of your success, these people are the ones you need to ignore.
Regards,
Rob
Hey Joel, I think you write your blogs just for me sometimes! :) I needed to hear this today...and you are so correct! The other thing I've noticed is that successful people don't spend their time putting others down and being negative. There is too much positive to focus on and who has time to write negative comments except negative people.
You say "Criticism is an opportunity to learn." I like this! I've learned recently about the way I handle it too and that has helped me greatly.
Thanks for this timely post!
Jenn
To respond, or not to respond? And if yes, then how?
I agree that criticism is an opportunity to learn, but it can also be an opportunity to engage and teach. If you see that opportunity in what the criticizer said, then responding may be worthwhile.
But how to respond well? Acknowledge their criticism, then ask a question to understand them further:
--Wow, this really struck a chord for you. Will you tell me more about what bothered you?
--You and I really have different ways of seeing this, don't we? Will you share how you came to see it the way you do?
--I appreciate your honest feedback. What do you wish I would have done differently? (Or, How would you have gone about it?)
By engaging further, you may learn something valuable about you, your market, or even win them over, gaining a new fan!
"You've built something that other people enjoy. They didn't build it and they hate you for it." That certainly says something about the human nature, to not be able to rejoice with those who are doing well but rather try all ways and means to derail your success. But your article certainly helps to take some of the focus off ourselves (trying to get all defensive about what we've done etc.) and to focus on improving what has been done.
Receiving the criticism may be difficult. It's about learning to separate your heart from your head. That's the hard part here. Most of us take criticism too personally; and if I may solidly agree with Joel, there may be a grain of truth to their comments. It takes courage to ask "why?", but the response may bring to light an issue that was not previously addressed. Ah! Opportunity for improvement - what we call "OFI". If you honestly and intently assess the criticism, it may even supply you with a solution!
There are also choices to be made regarding the giving of a criticism. It's about how you contextualize it. If it spews negativity, no one will want to listen, they'll just hear you (not effective communication, is it?). The result being a bad taste left in the subjects mouth, and those around them. This behaviour fragments relationships; and after all, isn't that what even online business is truly all about?
Taking critism can be tough but I try not to take it personally. There will always be critics no matter what you do.
I very much agree with you, Joel.
With blog comments you can't avoid detractors (everyone's a critic-sp) but sometimes from there you can also find people who will support or even defend you. Keep in mind that there's always a bright spot for every situation. The effects of the unkind words are devastating but it doesn't stop there, its part of life deal with it. Just aim for improvement and open your mind with these criticisms.
I plan to steal that final line of your observation. "unfounded criticism is the best complement" that ought to sting the perp. if if he could fathom the retort anyway...
Hey Joel,
I think the real problem is when nobody critizises anything you do.
Then you are in real trouble because nobody even notices you. :)
Great post!
Jerry
Sometimes people criticize because they don't have the guts to look at themselves in the mirror and act out in a passive-aggressive manner.
Others, like me, try to always make my remarks "constructive criticism".
If I notice something that could be improved upon, I bring it up to the people who could benefit from my comments the most.
So, now I ask the readers of this post...
What can my own blog do to help better serve you?
http://kevinpuls.net/online-marketing/surveys-give-your-customers-what-they-want-by-getting-into-their-minds-and-clobber-your-competition
Remember, constructive criticisms ONLY.
Best,
-Kevin
http://www.twitter.com/kevinpuls
The best statement on putting criticism in correct perspective is "When someone cares enough to criticize you, it's a great sign that you're making a difference."
That was really hitting on right spot, Joel. I loved it. I believe the more & more people we just are getting associated with through all these media, the best use I can make of all that negativity is that convert that into my strength & march on my way to make difference.
Another wonder quote is "Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain but it takes character and self control to be understanding and forgiving." - Dale Carnegie.