Comments on: The Professional Side of Writing https://wordsonpageblog.com/2015/07/the-professional-side-of-writing.html a freelance writing resource. Thu, 30 Jun 2016 18:41:38 +0000 hourly 1 By: Lori Widmer https://wordsonpageblog.com/2015/07/the-professional-side-of-writing.html#comment-14326 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 13:13:58 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2015/07/the-professional-side-of-writing.html/#comment-14326 Thank you, Jenn. My sentiments exactly. Building connections would be a better focus. For me, blogging is about sharing. It's not about "You owe me because I bothered to show up."

My personal attitude is I do want to please readers and I do want to make a connection, but that's my personal obligation. It's not my duty enforced on me by others — it's self-inflicted, so to speak. 🙂

]]> By: Jenn Mattern https://wordsonpageblog.com/2015/07/the-professional-side-of-writing.html#comment-14325 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 02:41:49 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2015/07/the-professional-side-of-writing.html/#comment-14325 While this was an unfortunately situation all around, the part that really bugs me is the entitlement attitude. This reciprocity BS needs to stop. No, you don't deserve reciprocal comments, links, or even have a right to have something approved on someone else's site.

Yes, it's nice that you want to comment or link to someone. And yes, it's nice when they take the time to check out your site in return. But it's not always possible. And it is NOT something you're entitled to just because you did something that was ultimately about your own exposure and reaching someone else's audience.

]]> By: Lori Widmer https://wordsonpageblog.com/2015/07/the-professional-side-of-writing.html#comment-14324 Tue, 07 Jul 2015 17:13:08 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2015/07/the-professional-side-of-writing.html/#comment-14324 Anne, I'd believe it. I remember receiving a scathing phone call from a woman when I couldn't locate her house to show it to a couple (I was an agent in a former life). Since it was all before Internet and cell phones, I had to drive back home to call her agent and apologize. I got the owner's number and called her. She acted like a flaming ass toward me, calling me useless, wanting me to grovel or fight back, I suspect. I apologized, let her vent, then wished her well. Nasty people exist no matter what the medium. Doesn't mean we have to feed them.

Paula, I know. Passive-aggressive behavior is so pointless. I think it's like a kid holding his breath trying to make you bend to his will.

I suppose one could say my post is rude, but I don't think it's that similar. I'm not naming him, nor am I going out of my way to tell him off. This is a teachable moment for us all, I think.

]]> By: Paula https://wordsonpageblog.com/2015/07/the-professional-side-of-writing.html#comment-14323 Tue, 07 Jul 2015 15:42:17 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2015/07/the-professional-side-of-writing.html/#comment-14323 I've long enjoyed the irony that the rudest people are always the ones blaming someone else for being rude. If something was unintentionally rude, it's not nearly as bad as someone like that being intentionally rude in return. It's petulant.

As for him not responding to your comment: He probably thinks he's punishing you with the silent treatment. I've always wondered how anyone thinks they're punishing people – or even making a point – by clamming up. It's usually a treat not to have to interact with them!

]]> By: Anne Wayman https://wordsonpageblog.com/2015/07/the-professional-side-of-writing.html#comment-14322 Tue, 07 Jul 2015 15:10:24 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2015/07/the-professional-side-of-writing.html/#comment-14322 You know, this sort of thing happened before the 'net too… it just wasn't as public. When I helped my father run a real estate office back in the day, we'd occasionally get letters – snail mail – chastising us for stuff we'd done or hadn't done… as I recall we mostly ignored them… the wackos that is.

]]> By: Lori Widmer https://wordsonpageblog.com/2015/07/the-professional-side-of-writing.html#comment-14321 Tue, 07 Jul 2015 13:56:29 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2015/07/the-professional-side-of-writing.html/#comment-14321 I don't blame you, Cathy. Sometimes it's just better to hare a voice than to hide behind the words.

In this instance, I went against my own judgment and let his link live only because his blog did have some useful info.

It's just strange how we've morphed into a culture that feels it's okay to call ourselves professionals and then rip someone open over a minor thing like that. I wouldn't have brought it up here, but it's a learning moment. We need the reminder that our image requires our constant vigilance.

]]> By: Cathy Miller https://wordsonpageblog.com/2015/07/the-professional-side-of-writing.html#comment-14320 Tue, 07 Jul 2015 12:33:14 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2015/07/the-professional-side-of-writing.html/#comment-14320 I avoid flame wars. I don't have the energy for it. If it's a client and I see emails escalating, I pick up the phone. It typically snuffs out the heat when you speak live.

If it's someone I don't know, I typically don't keep links back to his/her site – at least not without thoroughly checking it out first. And even then, I'm gun-shy.

]]>