The Russell Hammond quote from the movie Almost Famous has been our mantra for a long time now: “We play for the fans, not the critics.” It simply means one should pay far more attention to one’s supporters than your detractors.
“Critics”, as the great David Lee Roth once said, “love Elvis Costello because they look like him.” Critics, or your detractors, are generally sad people who want nothing more than to make everyone else sad. So why does anyone listen to them?
We’ve seen how a bad online review, a nasty social media comment, or negative blog post can really hurt people who have put their blood, sweat and tears into their business. If it happens to you, there are concrete steps you can take to mitigate or eliminate the damage.
If you find yourself wanting to change your business because of a critic STOP. Take a breath and remember you are doing YOU. If you react to the kind of people who will say nasty things about you and your business online, you’re going to be stuck their world, and you will be at their mercy.
Instead, have a plan and deal with it according to process. Then do the one thing that always works: Give all of your attention and thought to those who appreciate your business and love what you do. Whatever they like about it, do more of that. Find new things they will love. Live in the world of people who appreciate what you do and what you can do for them. It is far more rewarding, a better way to live, and far more profitable.
Find your fans and do everything for them. You’ll be amazed at how it changes your life for the better.