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Follow @darrensingletonWorking with Constructive Criticism
As a blogger who is looking for nothing more than to improve his skill-set, particularly in the fields of Blogging and Internet Marketing, criticism is something that is greatly appreciated – be it good or bad. Each time a comment is left about you on another website or on your blog, you should analyse the content and work upon what has been said. If it’s positive, then great, keep working hard! A negative comment would generally mean that something more can be done to the blog to improve on it.
Recent Feedback I Received
Following a post made by David Risley focusing on a question I posed to him, I received some great feedback both from David and one of David’s regular readers. For this I am extremely grateful and I appreciate David taking the time to write this post.
Brian commented several times regarding my blog and I have picked out each the following points and given them my own sub-headings:
Point #1 – Stop Being a Sheep
I think Darren is making the same mistake many of us make. We see a successful site and we try to copy it lock, stock and barrel, by adding a lot of the latest gismo’s that have no real purpose. This often points to a need for clearer goals and strategies.
This point is very true. I have been watching the ‘Pro-Bloggers’ (John Chow et al.) and been attempting to copy their strategies and not actually formulated anything that I could call my own. Adding the same sidebar widgets as they do, posting about the same topics as they do, it’s not worth the time when they already have the market share. I need to get my head around my own ‘x-factor’ which Brian goes on to speak about:
Point #2 – Find Your X-Factor
I found his “About page” to be really understated. In my opinion, he is a hero for having a go and I know he has a lot more he could say about what he has learned along the way. I certainly know how frustrating it can be to discover that “x-factor.”
I am aware that my About page needs some TLC and it will be receiving a overhaul very shortly. I have learned a LOT since starting my venture into blogging and much of it I have taken for granted. Still being a ‘blogging novice’ I hope that I can begin to contribute more to the people who have still got to learn what I know, and continue to learn from people who have achieved what I hope to be achieving in the not-so-distant future.
Point #3 – User Experience is Key
The problem I had was with the banner ad at the bottom of the page. I clicked on it and when I wanted to return to your site a pop up appeared with a “please don’t leave” message. It then went into a loop that would not let me leave that site.
I guess I am being judgemental here, but I would not have a banner that did that to my visitors on my site. I know it was not your fault but I feel the whole experience will diminish your site in the eyes of a visitor.
I recently swapped out my Google AdSense code below the posts on their individual pages in return for some alternate banner code. The company that were serving them gave me no control over which banners were being displayed, and so, I couldn’t single out the banner that caused Brian’s issues. I have removed this company from the site for the time being and have sent them an email. I hope that they can respond shortly and we can resolve something to continue serving their ads.
Where From Here?
Following the comments from both David Risley and Brian, I am setting out to improve this blog in ways that I deem appropriate and fitting with my goals. I have begun to tidy up my sidebar a little and removing some of the widgets has made the sidebar easier to view.
I have also formulated a to-do list, which I aim to complete before the end of January. Following the advice of Gary Vaynerchuk I am going to “Crush-It” during 2009 and become a success in my own right. This isn’t going to be achieved by simply following everybody else.
Have you received criticisms that have made you stop and think? How have they improved your blog? Let me know in the comments. As always, I am interested in hearing about what my readers have experienced themselves.
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January 19, 2009
6:23 AM
Darren, because you’re in a place where a lot of people find themselves I truly believe that you would be able to create a large following by simply posting what you’re doing and why you’re doing it as you go along.
Right now you need to figure out a strategy on how to proceed and find a way to write it down and structure it in a way that makes sense.
Lots of bloggers are struggling with that very step so why not just make your process public? (and remember to also promote it heavily). You don’t have to do everything right and you can make mistakes along the way. It doesn’t matter and it’ll only show your readers that you’re human.
Mikaels last blog post..Quick Care Pet Insurance Secrets Revealed
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January 23, 2009
3:59 PM
Honestly, this thing of criticism like something that is greatly appreciate takes the cake ! I know it’s also all about point of view. Anyway, I don’t see great future in that kind of stuff. Criticism is not always something greatly appreciated.
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Darren
Twitter: darrensingleton
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January 23rd, 2009 at 7:22 PM
You don’t see a future in listening to criticisms and working with that to improve both your blog and yourself? Good luck.
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June 26, 2009
9:00 PM
I know this is an older article, but I wanted to congratulate you on taking constructive feedback as it was intended, to help.
I’m personally the kind of person who can easily take any kind of constructive feedback to heart. I have to work hard to appreciate it in the right intent. I hate the word criticism, I use the word feedback instead. I find that using less emotive words helps me to be objective.
The point about finding your strength is a good one, and a process that can be very difficult. There are certain areas that I’m passionate about and it’s taken me 2 years to discover them. Typically those strengths are rare or unique, which is where you can grow your reputation. That’s how I interpret the comments you’ve written about.
Dan
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