Fridays with Vicky 44
Being a blogger interacting with anonymous people online can be a roller coaster.
One minute you receive a great comment or response from either your website or social media account.
The next minute you are getting a negative comment or message.
The only reason I`m doing this post is to remind you to ignore the naysayers and haters and focus on the many positive relationships you can create online.
Never let anybody, especially not an internet stranger, shut down your online dream. It might be that you want to create an online business, it might be that you want to publish a book, it might be that you want to set up an online store or create a website…
Whatever your online dream is, I`m here to tell you it can be done with hard work and determination.
My Roller Coaster Day…
This morning I received a very nice email sent through my website, starting out:
Thank you for sending me your way…
This email started my day off great.
I go to check my comments on the same site and “the grammar police” has left a note.
Before, I share the comment. I want to share a little background story.
I was born and raised in Sweden, so yes English is my second language. It took me forever to feel comfortable enough to speak the language, writing was not even an option.
As time went by I slowly started writing English as well. I was super cautious and if somebody at that point would have told me that my content sucked I would probably have quit. I was very insecure writing English.
In fact I started a website, but outsourced all the content. I still have sites where I do that, but on this site itsVicky.com, it`s my site and my thoughts…
The more I wrote the better I got, and the more confident I felt. I am very aware of my content`s shortcomings, that there might be grammar and spelling issues.
To make one thing clear – I always aim for error free content!
I will NOT let the fear of incorrect English, stop me from writing though. I will NOT let that stop me from sharing my knowledge and try to get my point across whatever it might be.
Some might have a problem with my content not being error free and that`s OK. I can seriously understand that. I do my best to check spelling and grammar, but I`m not native.
If you don`t like my content, I suggest two ways to deal with it:
- Click away and find another website
- Offer to help by pointing out the mistakes in a nice way
There`s no reason to be nasty hiding behind an empty profile picture.
Today, I have no problems dealing with these people. Still gets my blood flowing, but it will not stop me from writing content on MY website.
BUT I would hate for them to spit their demons on somebody else`s website, that has not yet come to that point of ignoring the ”grammar police”. A nasty comment could stop somebody from writing. It could shut down somebody`s dream of becoming a writer or starting a website. I know because it could have been me.
Grammar and Spelling Police Edie Visited Today
Here is the message I got from empty profile Edie (that`s how he spelled his name) this morning.
The spelling and grammar in this article is atrocious! If you’re going to write an article use spell check and grammar check.
This was my response,
Welcome Edie, I`m flattered that you “the Internet grammar police” took the time to leave a comment.
Let me just give you a friendly advice for next time you stop by 🙂
Since English is my second language, I will happily accept any spelling or/and grammar correction.
Instead of being judgmental offer to help, the Internet and the world would be a much better place.Vicky
Always, do anything and everything you can to use correct spelling and grammar.
With that said, don`t let the ”grammar and spelling police” stop you from doing what you love. Don`t let them shut down your dreams.
Have you had any run ins with the ”grammar police”? How do you deal with it?
Would love to hear your thoughts on it,
Vicky
Hats off to you for your response to the “troll”. No matter how many times I edit and proofread there is almost always a glaring mistake that I find post publish. So then I go in and fix it. It’s what happens to all of us and to someone who has learned to adapt to the English language you do fabulously in my humble opinion. A private message is so much nicer – not blasting in the comments section. That just shows bad form. I think you handled it with much grace and dignity. We put ourselves up for scrutiny when we blog but continue to do it because we love it, right? Keep on keeping on!
THANK YOU Beth!
Yes, I truly enjoy helping others with the content I put out and most of the time, it is well received. Like you say we all make mistakes, it is so much nicer if somebody points that out, help and correct in a nice way. I know that some bloggers are “scared” of putting themselves out there and a message like that could make them close the shop… I know because I was there… I would hate for that to happen.
Vicky
I think you have a lovely site. You shouldn’t have to explain your error, because as humans we all have errors at some point. You took the high road and that is admirable. Thank you for inspiring others to dream as big as you do!
Thank you Diedre!
It`s human to make mistakes, we all.
We can choose how to react and deal with it… I prefer the nice and kind way 🙂
Hey, might as well dream big 🙂 anything is possible!
Vicky