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Facebook · Lesson 7 of 43

Responding to Comments

The best way to build a community is to talk with your audience consistently.

1 Learn the concept

The best way to build a community is to talk with your audience consistently. Replying to comments shows people you are listening and encourages more conversation. How you handle negative comments matters just as much, because others are watching. This lesson shows how to respond to every kind of comment with a helpful, friendly tone.

A table of comment types and how to respond to eachHOW TO RESPONDComment typeRespond withAvoidPraiseThanks and a specific detailCopy-paste repliesQuestionA clear answer and a linkLeaving it unansweredComplaintApology, fix and move toprivate messageArguing in publicSpam or abuseHide or reportEngaging
Match the response to the kind of comment.

2 See it in action

  • Reply quickly and by name where possible.
  • Thank people for positive comments and add something useful.
  • For complaints, acknowledge the problem and move details to a private message.
  • Never argue in public, and know when to hide or report abusive comments.

Worked example

Answering a public complaint

Comment: "My order is three days late and no one answers."

Reply: "We are sorry about the delay, Jordan. We have sent you a message so we can sort this out today."

Private message: ask for the order number, give a clear fix and a time.

Result to look for: the complaint thread ends with a calm reply from the customer or a thanks, and others see that the business responds.

Check: reply within a working day.

3 Study an example

Example scenario

A customer complains publicly about a late order. The brand replies: "We are sorry about the delay. We have sent you a message to fix this today." Other readers see a responsive company, not an argument.

4 Apply it and download

  1. Write replies for a positive, neutral and negative comment.
  2. Set a response time goal.
  3. Save them as response templates.

Worksheet Comment response templatesOpen, print or save as PDF

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