Harshing on Visions from God

I have been blogging a long time and occasionally harsh on what God's people are doing online. Most recently I've had critical words for both YouVersion and LightsTogether. I often get feedback like this,

I feel like God gave us a vision for this project, so God will bless it and use it to His glory.

As someone who has worked on plenty of "visions" on the web, I know that when you are close to a project it is hard to see your mistakes. I also know how much time and energy and passion it takes to execute a web site or web application. I also understand that the intention is to advance the Kingdom.

So why harsh on other peoples work?

• Because if it is from God, the project should be able to withstand some criticism.
• In the case of both LightsTogether and YouVersion, the development teams are pros and they can handle it.
• Finally, because, I want people to care enough to critique my projects.

Just because you say its from God, does not make it so. Just because the people on a project are nice Christians, does not make it worthwhile. I think I'm a pretty good guy, but a project I launched a year ago is spam wasteland. At the time, I thought it was a pretty good idea. I'm bummed about that...

Lessons on how to harsh

Like I've said, I've been chiding people of God and their projects online since 2003. I have learned a few lessons:

• Your purpose is to make things better by instigating a conversation.
• Never, never post a critique immediately after you write it. Wait a few days, edit it. Always, tone it down.
• Always rationally support your criticism with experience or research.
• Be plain and do not post a wish-washy criticism.
• Invite others to comment or respond.
• Be prepared to retract or make corrections. And if you do, never delete what the original. Always be transparent with your mistakes.
• Always sign your name and make every effort to contact the people involved. I also make it very, very easy for people to call me on my cell phone (612-327-4316).
• In addition, be able to monitor comments. Always respond with the idea to foster a dialog.

This type of post can NOT be the only thing you write. You also need to consistently participate in the conversation. You can not just lob negative treatise over the transom.

How to take it

Recently, I had a phone conversation with a senior executive of an unnamed Christian organization that laughingly claimed that I pantsed him. I could tell that bothered him. He did not email me, but left two voice messages in two days.

That's nice that he wanted to talk, but it was also a red flag that told me that this guy had never been through this before, which at his age and position, also told me that he was clueless about the Internet.

So if you have not suffered through this kind of conversation, then you need to find out why. It might be that you are not doing anything worth the time to critique or are you too isolated.

And if you do suffer the likes of me or Mean Dean, here is how to take it:

• Remember, if your project is good, you have nothing to fear.
• Your purpose is turn your critic into a passionate user AND to build buzz around your project.
• Never, never post a response immediately.
• Never attack them personally.
• Do not respond in public at first, but email or call the person. If they are not available, then don't waste your time responding.
• After talking with them, post a response to their forum AND then post a response on your web site.
• If they posted mistakes or lies, respond with the plain truth.
• If they have good points, acknowledge them and explain how you will address. Then also layout all the points they missed.
• As with all things, keep track of phone calls and save all emails.

The YouVersion team did a great job of responding to me. And I said as much over on their blog. With their response, they are closer to getting me on board as a passionate user.

Comments

[Mean Dean]

C'mon Tim, when was the last time I was ever harsh about anything?-)

Kidding aside, yeah, everyone talks a good talk w/regards to iron sharpening iron - but when it actually happens the Misraelites come out of the woodwork with the whole "touch not thine anointed" meme.

Now if you don't mind me, I've got some gratuitous Flash-based navigation to inspect elsewhere.

[stephen shields]

Misraelites. I love it.