Chris,
I agree with you, but only to a point. If someone posts many negative posts about a company....and if potential investors are reading....and if nobody responds....then that investor has no other side's viewpoint with which to help base his/her decision.
The key, however, is to only respond to legitimate questions and concerns. And when one does respond, to do so politely and with good manners.
Then, the potential investor has two viewpoints with which to weigh.
What is so hurtful are the personal attacks and ill-will that crop up. That puts the defending side in a bad light.
I'm going to use INFE as an example of the correct way to respond to a detractor. A person showed up there with questions and with skepticism. He was answered with patience and in a professional manner.
However, this person kept on and kept on....even after his questions had been answered. If someone were reading that thread for the first time, then that basher was put into a very unfavorable light, because of HIS actions....not because of the threads.
But the minute that someone began being rude to him or "clicking" him or ignoring him, then that put the defenders in the same light as the basher.
Give people credit for intelligence. As long as the responses are polite, the winning ball is in your court. Once those responses begin to become rude....then the basher begins to win.
So...if the basher keeps repeating the same question over and over, then just keep repeating the same answer over and over....but in a polite way.
Once the basher realizes that he/she can't rattle your chain, then the game becomes not as much fun for the basher.
Juanita |
