What if your content gets attacked
Yesterday’s post on using articles brought in this question. It seems to be a great topic for conversation so let me know what you think about it by commenting. Brian asked…
Here is a question, What should you do if another blogger attacks your content or a specific Post?
Now there was another comment about the comment so lets address that portion of it first. Joe said..
Brian raises a good point and it has happened on one occasion with me on one of my sites using a republished article from an article directory. I took the article down.
In a case where I got a similar complaint I would do the same thing. Even if I was using it exactly as allowed by the directory and had not violated the usage terms. Why get involved in a spitting match when there is lots of other content available or I would cover the topic in my own words.
Now that may have been what Brian was talking about but and here comes that horrendous word again, I cannot assume that is what he was asking. This is primarily because I ask for questions all the time and his question may or may not have been just about that post.
So doing the bad thing and assuming that is not what Brian was asking here are a few more more things to consider.
1. Your blog post had an error in fact in it. Then you apologize and correct it. Easy answer.
2. The person complaining is totally off the wall and looking to cause trouble. Now it will depend on how they attacked you.
If it was totally unwarranted and it was done through a comment it would never make the blog. I would never approve the comment.
If it was done on their site and I picked up from a trackback or a Google Alert the response gets harder.
I would look and see if this is something that they consistently do to create controversy for the sake of controversy. If that was the case unless it was really libelous I would ignore it. If it was bad enough it becomes time to call your lawyer but understand the costs that will be involved and decide if it is worth it.
3.The person has a different view point and may be misinformed. This is the type of complaint that can actually end up being a win – win for both of you.
If it was done in a comment I would answer it and explain my stance and why I feel like I do. Notice this comment would definitely be approved. Even though I don’t like being told I am wrong there is nothing wrong with a polite healthy debate. It is a good traffic generator as long as it stays polite.
Now if it was done via a post I would either comment back on it or write a response on my blog and trackback to it. Interblog discussions are another way to generate traffic for both sites.
So that is what I would do in a variety of situations now I would love to know what you would do? Let me know in the comments below.
About the author
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Mike Paetzold got started blogging in 2003 and has become an expert on using WordPress. He has become known as The WordPress Guy. After being an under ground niche marketer using his blogs he has surfaced to share some of the ways he uses blogs to enter various niches profitably. Get the details at Profitable Blog Steps |
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5 comments
Doug Champigny
Twitter: Mentoring4U
on January 10, 2010 at 9:56 am
Under the digital copyright acts, the intellectual property laws and others like them, your original unique material is copyrighted to you as soon as you post it. Unfortunately, this doesn’t stop thievery, and it’s much more common than most people realize, I’ve found out.
Whenever you’ve used an article from another source and someone says it’s theirs, ask them where they first published it. If the date of that page is before the posting of the article to the directory they have a strong case – ask if they’d rather you removed it or corrected the authorship. If the posting in the directory pre-dates their post, they may simply have stolen it from there, so best to just delete the article.
Understand, I’m not a lawyer or offering legal advice, just an author who has had his articles pirated on occasion and has had to either have them corrected or contact the hosting company to have the site removed until my article was corrected or taken off the site.
Doug Champigny´s last blog ..Internet Marketing 4-Week Crash Course From PowerStart Marketing
[Reply]
Alex
Twitter: AlexNewell
on January 10, 2010 at 10:50 am
I think you’ve covered this well Mike.
Blogs are supposed to be social and having a bit of a tussle may be a good thing. Some people feel that they are not “allowed” to “censor” comments but my blog is MY blog so if the comment will detract from the blog it gets deleted – especially if the comment is personal or off colour.
But the one thing NOT to do is to join in with an attack of your own.
Alex´s last blog ..What do you do to make money online?
[Reply]
R.Brian Burkhardt
Twitter: yourfuneralguy
on January 10, 2010 at 11:34 am
Thanks for your thorough answer Mike. The person who put up the attack post had a different point of view.
To Be exact his point of view changed. I blog from the point of view of the Funeral Consumer who often get’s taken for a ride or worse.
An old ally Now totally submits his content from the Traditional Funeral Industry point of view.
I have experienced some of the other scenarios you describe. Blogger’s take note. There is great wisdom in Mike’s response here.
R.Brian Burkhardt´s last blog ..Strange But But True-Hearse Catches Fire on the Way to a Funeral-YourFuneralGuy
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Joel Osborne
Twitter: JoelOsborne
on January 10, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Good post Mike. I think for anyone online who has a blog, there will always be someone who won’t like what you wrote or who will complain about something. As long as take the high road without getting into a fight about it, the situation might even be good for your blog.
Joel Osborne´s last blog ..Power Start 2010 – Start The Year With A Bang
[Reply]
Lonnie Minton on January 11, 2010 at 9:46 pm
Good comments and suggestions Mike. I hope I never need it but I know where to look if I ever have any of my content attacked.
Lonnie Minton´s last blog ..Affiliate Marketing PLR Bundle with Private Label Rights
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