The Dos and Don'ts of Responding to Negative Press: A Personal Brand Management Guide

As a public personality, negative press can be a source of anxiety. Negative press has the potential to make or break a career, but it’s important to remember that it’s not the end of the world. Handling negative press the right way can actually work in your favor. Here are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind when responding to negative press.

Do: Stay Calm and Collected

When faced with negative press, it’s important to stay level-headed. Avoid making any snap decisions or emotional responses. Take a deep breath and take your time to carefully consider your response. A measured and thoughtful response will always be more effective than a knee-jerk reaction.

🧘 Take a few minutes to meditate or do some breathing exercises before responding to negative press.

Don’t: Ignore the Negative Press

When faced with negative press, it may be tempting to ignore it and hope it goes away. However, this is rarely the best course of action. Negative press can quickly spiral out of control if left unaddressed, so it’s important to address it in a timely and effective manner.

❗️Tip: Set up Google Alerts for your name so that you can stay on top of any negative press related to you.

Do: Respond Quickly

While it’s important to take your time to carefully consider your response, it’s equally important to respond quickly. Negative press can quickly snowball into a full-blown crisis if left unaddressed for too long. Responding quickly will show that you’re taking the issue seriously and actively working to address it.

⏰ Set a 24-hour deadline for responding to negative press.

Don’t: Get Defensive

It’s natural to feel defensive when faced with negative press, but getting defensive will only make things worse. Responding in a defensive or hostile manner will only serve to escalate the situation and potentially damage your reputation further.

💭 Instead of getting defensive, take a step back and try to understand where the negative press is coming from. Respond in a calm and rational manner.

Do: Own Up to Your Mistakes

If the negative press is a result of a mistake on your part, it’s important to own up to it. Acknowledge your mistake, take responsibility, and outline steps you’ll take to rectify the situation. This will show that you’re responsible and willing to learn from your mistakes.

🤝 Apologize and make amends if necessary. Use this as an opportunity to improve your personal brand.

Don’t: Make Empty Promises

When responding to negative press, it’s important to avoid making empty promises. If you make a promise to take action or make changes, make sure you follow through. Failing to do so can be even more damaging to your reputation than the initial negative press.

💡 Only make promises that you can realistically keep. Be sure to set a deadline for any promises made.

Do: Use Social Media to Your Advantage

Social media can be a powerful tool when responding to negative press. Use your social media platforms to craft a thoughtful and measured response. Share your side of the story and engage with your audience.

📱 Keep your social media messaging consistent across all platforms. Use hashtags to make it easy for your audience to follow.

Don’t: Engage in Online Arguments

While social media can be a powerful tool, it’s important to avoid getting into online arguments. Responding to negative comments with more negativity will only exacerbate the situation.

👋 If negative comments persist, it may be best to simply disengage and move on.

Remember, negative press is not the end of the world. How you respond to it can make all the difference. Stay calm, stay focused, and stay true to yourself.

🌞 Have a positive attitude throughout the entire process.

By following these dos and don’ts, you’ll be well on your way to successfully navigating negative press and managing your personal brand.