Don't you just hate it when someone posts slander or gossip about you in an online public forum?  Well, if they're professionals, they shouldn't.  Why?

Because professionals have the courtesy to approach others directly.  Professionals, like us ActiveRain members, don't back-bite, gossip, slander, act passive/agressive, be a "sissy" by not confronting people, or whatever you want to call it.

So what do you do when you have an issue with an ActiveRain member or a colleague?  How should you vent your complaint?

1. Go to the person -- phone works best (email is often taken out of context because there's no tone).  State your concerns in a non-threating way.  Listen, and ask for clarification.  You'll be surprised that at least 1/2 the time, the situation was NOT as bad as you thought.  And it's a good thing you didn't "go off" because you would have been putting your foot in your mouth!
2. You can always talk to their manager or supervisor, if the issue is serious enough. 
3. And you can choose to ignore it.  After all, who has time for negative energy?
4. Whatever you do, don't take it personal!  Responding in a negative way only adds "fuel to the fire".

What do you do when someone (whether a colleague or client) posts a nasty complaint or rude gossip about you online, specifically here on Active Rain?

1. You can approach the offender directly, but if they're obnoxiously rude online, they probably won't be any nicer in person.
2. Flag the AR post as "slander" and send an email alert to the AR blog facilitators.
3. Again, you can always choose to ignore it.  Remember, you don't have to stoop to their level of pettiness.  Rise above small-minded twits by NOT responding! 

Just because someone says something, doesn't mean it's true.  Other readers will be weighing the validity of the information by considering the source.  And to be honest, no one likes negative people!  So negative people do NOT get their blogs read as often.  And if you comment on their negative post, then it just gives their complaint more exposure.

Another Hollywood marketing tip:  Sometimes negative publicity is good for business.  Just think about Miss California and the publicity she got recently!!!

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
Author of eBook "Stop Foreclosure Fast: Solutions to Save your House"
Author of forthcoming book, "Virtual Office Guide for Business Professionals:  Work & Profit from Home"
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Text copyright © 2009 R.P. Brown, All Rights Reserved