Last week I posted some thoughts on handling criticism. Little did I know that Seth Godin, one of my favorite business writers and bloggers, was posting some brilliant thoughts on criticism at the same time I was posting my not-quite-as-brilliant thoughts. Here’s a snippet…
The critics are never going to be happy with you, that's why they're critics. You might bore them by doing what they say... but that won't turn them into fans, it will merely encourage them to go criticize someone else.
It doesn't matter what Groucho or Elvis or Britney or any other one-name performer does or did... the critics won't be placated. Changing your act to make them happy is a fool's game.
Here's a surprising thought, though. You should ignore your fans as well.
Your fans don't want you to change, your fans want you to maintain the essence of what you bring them but add a laundry list of features. You fans want lower prices and more contributions, bigger portions and more frequent deliveries.
So, who should you listen to?
Your sneezers.
You should listen to the people who tell the most people about you. Listen to the people who thrive on sharing your good works with others. If you delight these people, you grow.
Brilliant!!

Can you hear me now :)
Posted by: Connie Odom | March 30, 2009 at 07:52 PM