Recently I’ve received a string of very negative comments about my 2009 social media song music video: Crazy Little Thing The Web (the number one “social media song” search result on YouTube, by the way).

I have no problem with criticism. I read, receive and counsel others on how to confront it daily.

I will admit though that I’m in a bit of a quandary as to whether to allow free-wheeling comments to continue or to turn them off. Although I temporarily turned off the ability to leave comments on the video this morning, the comment feature is back on now. While they were off, I received this lovely note submitted through my Codella Marketing website contact form:

I just had the misfortune of watching this youtube clip youtube.com/watch?v=x96KP1wfbpY, and I believe that you now owe me some form of compensation.

Honestly, it was truly the most painful, irritating thing I have ever witnessed, completely devoid of humour or satire. I can understand him being shocked at finding an alleged ex girlfriend on facebook, but I was flabbergasted by his arrogant laugh. Surely this guy is lucky to have ever had any relationship with any person other than his mother, who no doubt still breast-feeds him.

I notice that you fuckwits have disabled both ratings and comments for your little video nasty? Part of me thinks that maybe you’re not so disconnected with reality after all. Another part of me thinks that you need to stop pretending you know what you’re talking about, and end your lives immediately.

- Richard H.

I’ve been compared to Rebecca Black and her Friday video. Too bad my song hasn’t benefited from more than 100,000 digital downloads, been ranked #58 on Billboard’s hot 100 list, or been featured on an episode of Glee (see gantdaily.com). Nor do I have advertising on my YouTube channel like Rebecca Black does to help compensate me.

I’ve received threats.

People have said to never hire me or the good folks who put this video together (MultiMediaWise).

What would you do?

I’m curious to know what my blog readers think I should do.

I usually counsel clients to answer criticism in the way it was received. So, comments on a YouTube video should be addressed in YouTube comments, or perhaps through another video in response to the criticism.

I also discuss with clients the route of not responding to comments. There are times, for various reasons, when this course of action is appropriate.

So, here’s your chance. Your creative project is being flamed on the Internet.

What do you do?

Update – 5.13.11

I have removed the last name and email address of Richard, the commenter referenced above. He sent me an apology, sort of, which I have included below.

And I agree that when you post something on YouTube, you put yourself out there, for good and bad. I knew that going in to the venture.

Thanks goes to @DerrenBrown and Richard for the boost in publicity for my video. Whether it’s liked or hated, more people have now watched it of their own free will and curiosity. What more could a content author ask for?

Dearest Pete,

I’m sorry that I seem to have upset you with my comments about your incredibly funny video.

What I believe that you have to accept is that as soon as you publish a video on youtube, it is in the public domain and unless it is a work of intrinsic genius, you are going to receive positive and negative comments.

I think a number of these comments are not to be taken too seriously. Your video provoked a strong reaction in me, and I felt compelled to let you know, but after a cooling off period, I can now see that it is perhaps only the second worst video I have ever seen.

I did, at least, have the courtesy to send you a private message, rather than a public post that could potentially perpetuate the hate. I would appreciate it, if you would remove my email address from your post.

Yours sincerely,
Richard

If you follow me on social networks, you’ve most likely seen the YouTube video I posted last week. It’s a fun social media song and music video I put together with the help of some talented friends.

The project is the result of an idea I received after presenting at the Social Media for Communicators conference in Las Vegas in March.

I wanted to do something with music that was different and would help set a fun mood for future presentations. After a bit of searching I found a tune I liked and began writing lyrics with my wife for the new social media song, Crazy Little Thing the Web.

I called on my talented music composer and arranger friend, Tyler Castleton, and was able to get a minus track put together thanks to Mark Scholl at Screaming Tigers. Then, after a couple hours at M.J. Greene Audio, a Salt Lake City recording studio, we finished the vocal track.

The biggest piece of the puzzle was the music video. In April this year I gave the closing keynote presentation at the Utah Public Relations Conference at Utah State University. There I met a public relations professor, Preston Parker, who just so happens to own a video production studio in Logan. Preston’s company, MultiMediaWise, was the greatest single contributor (besides me, of course) to making all of this work.

MultiMediaWise handled the video production from scripting to the final product — a YouTube video and DVD. They do it all, folks. And they do a great job, which you can certainly see for yourself in the Crazy Little Thing the Web music video.

Here’s What I Learned

Besides learning the procedure YouTube follows for verifying legitimate video views, I’ve been reminded that creating a different kind of product for your industry helps set you apart.

Combining knowledge and experience in a new, creative endeavor can not only demonstrate expertise but also provide a light-hearted look at business, which some have a tendency to take too seriously.

Are there creative ways you can demonstrate your expertise? Are there new digital channels you can use to educate or entertain in different ways than you’ve done before? Think about it, and let me know.

And feel free to share any comments about Crazy Little Thing the Web.