What is a cowboy? I do not know who originally came up with the concept, but I recently came across it again when a successful Internet business mentor of mine, Mike Filsaime, spoke about the "Cowboys". Mike used the term for people in online forums who just want to take you down.
Cowboys usually loud mouth and very negative. For whatever reason, might one day be the focus of a cowboy who decides they do not like something you've done what you said or just take offense to you as a whole. They make it a personal mission to them to attack you in public places like forums and blogs, throwing accusations at you left, right and center.
The anonymity the Internet provides a cowboy freedom because they do not feel social constraints or expectations to be able to impose their communication in the real world. In other words because they can be anonymous online, or feel safe behind the computer, they are comfortable to attack people in ways they would never do in the real world.
Most cowboys use strong language that is open and highly negative charges. They often lack the maturity, which compounds their frustration, because you can not answer them with maturity, they will just put more charges on you without admitting their point of view. You can not compete with them, saying, because that is what they specialize in. This is how flame wars start, as we know, in war, there are no winners.
How to deal with the Cowboys
In most cases it is best to simply not respond unless of course you've done something wrong and should apologize. You're better off leaving their friends and supporters back to you and just ignore the cowboys. Negative generated (unfortunately) back to them and they will suffer more as a result, possibly leading them to attack more people, creating a cycle of negativity. If you want to avoid getting caught up in it.
NEGATIVE Blog Comments
As your blog becomes more popular you'll get more comments. As you've already heard from me, the comments are great traffic building tool, so it's worth encouraging them.
Problem, I can guarantee that you will eventually experience some people will be negative, arguments or disagree with what you wrote in your blog and will tell you that leaving a comment.
Some people will be just plain rude and leave a comment that adds nothing to the conversation that will go along the lines of "this article sucks, and so do you." They can use a lot more sometimes colorful words for you down and explain how your article is wrong, or redundant or boring or useless. They will probably have some tough things to say about you personally too.
As good as it is to increase communication, it is an imperfect medium. People read things in your articles you did not intend to say. They "see" your message in a different way to how you view it.
This is certainly a good thing, because it can help others to have an insight by sharing their point of view and experiences, but on the other hand can be an unpleasant surprise when someone responds in a negative way.
Reader's personality, mood and outlook on life can completely twist the desired message and it will happen whether you like it or not. The text is not emotional, but people are, so you must be prepared for any reaction when pushing the publish button.
How do you respond?
Problem that we face as a publisher of blogs is how to respond to comments that are negative.
- You can delete them
- You can censor (delete parts ).
- To respond to anger
- To respond in kind
In my experience, sometimes I let the comments get to me. I can get really angry, especially when it is obviously something to comment directed solely to put down because he says something negative.
I've gone as far as writing equally angry response, full of defensive and argumentative comments, but I do not actually publish the response because I know I will not do me any good - I just want to rage at the moment.
If you can not say something nice do not say anything at all
You should know that expression it's one of those our mothers teach us when young. It is perfect for situations like this, to apply to themselves when dealing with cowboys.
Times the negative into a positive
Traffic techniques to deal with negative comments is that they used to show how mature you are and show your credibility. If you respond to negative comments without anger, without negative emotions and calm "their side of the story", the answer will earn respect from your readers.
Cowboy acknowledge the point it is a good communication techniques to tell when you hear and understand others' point of view. I will do wonders for my perception of the public
In most cases, the cowboy will end up making yourself look a lot worse than simply because of how they express themselves. When you compare a person who is rational, not overly emotional and calm against someone who attacks with a high emotional charge, it's pretty clear who comes out looking best.
Most readers of your blog are good people, they can remain anonymous for fear of the next target of a cowboy, but you can be sure if you stick to your true self and remain calm, to come out on top in their eyes. Or better yet, you will improve your reputation and credibility to continue, despite the best efforts of the cowboys to bring you down, which I think is a nice piece of irony someone who attacks you finish strengthen their public standing, because they show you what kind of person you really.
