I recently got interviewed by a blogger and author friend of mine, Laura Howard of Finding Bliss. Within this interview, Laura and I discuss the ways to go about responding to and dealing with negative online interactions such as sockpuppets, negative vs. unacceptable comments, and a whole bunch more.
Laura interviewed me with her author audience in mind, but the strategies and techniques I share within this interview can be applied to any and all types of companies and organizations – not just authors or personal brands.
Take a listen, this interview is packed with all kinds of great strategies and techniques to dealing with the negative online realities we all face, and coming out of them stronger and even more admired by your clients and fans!
Click below to listen to my interview with Laura Howard
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Click here to download the .mp3
Laura’s blog is targeted for authors of all different genres. Click here to check out Laura’s blog.
Author of Crisis Ready: Building an Invincible Brand in an Uncertain World, Melissa Agnes is a leading authority on crisis preparedness, reputation management, and brand protection. Agnes is a coveted keynote speaker, commentator, and advisor to some of today’s leading organizations faced with the greatest risks. Learn more about Melissa and her work here.
Sadly, the sockpuppet is not only alive it is very professional.
I worked briefly for a small PR firm that was hellbent on contracting with a professional
sockpuppet to "help" at least one client rewrite its wikipedia page.
The client did not *want* a sockpuppet. They wanted and needed to know *how* to become and be the influential organization that would work long-term and ethically with its audiences in order to get the data they wanted and needed for their wiki page.
Didn't matter.
The principal was just manic about getting the professional sockpuppet this work.
It was pathetic, not to mention just wrong. Unfortunately, probably not uncommon.
It's always unfortunate to hear stories like this. No, they aren't uncommon, which is sad. The most us honest people can do (and thankfully we make up the big majority) is educate and protect ourselves so that we're prepared. We also have to believe that these types of dishonest people won't win in the end – and knowing how to deal with them will help that not to happen.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Michele. Have a great week 🙂