Navigating the Troll-Infested Waters of Online Content Creation
Navigating the Troll-Infested Waters of Online Content Creation
Friday’s Insight (23rd February 2024)
"I'd rather scrape my body over broken glass than watch this again."
"That's 12 minutes of my life I'll never get back."
"Why does he talk so slow?"
"This could have been an audio podcast."
The above are just a few of the comments I've received on my videos on my YouTube channel.
The internet is awash with trolls, people who bring little of note and value to the world but somehow think it's within their life's remit to post nasty and mean comments on online content creator's work.
As a YouTuber and Substack writer steadily carving out a niche in the digital expanse, I've noticed an intriguing paradox. On Substack, I have received nothing but encouragement and support with the, albeit few, comments I have received on my articles. Yet, over on YouTube, it's a different story. Here, amidst the waves of encouragement, lurk the sharp rocks of trolling. My YouTube channel is, at the moment, more prominent than my Substack account, so this makes sense. The more successful you are, the more people want to bring you down. It's the internet, after all, where subtlety goes to die!
It's an odd badge of honour, really.
The more my videos circulate, when the algorithm gods decide to show my videos beyond my core audience, the more I'm faced with a barrage of negativity, signifying that YouTube is casting my net wider. It's a twisted form of validation, but validation nonetheless, I suppose.
What Can We Do About The Big Bad Trolls?
The anonymity of the internet emboldens people to express negativity they would likely never dare voice in person. As hurtful as they may be, these comments say more about the troll than they do about you or your content. I've found it helpful to focus on constructive criticism and genuine feedback, which can be invaluable for growth. An example of this can be taken from the final trollish comment I posted above, "This could have been an audio podcast." The person who posted that comment, whilst they could have been a little friendlier about saying it, was essentially correct. This comment was below one of my very first videos. I'd not got to grips with adding a b-roll to my videos and the idea of stimulating the mind visually while speaking. The upshot is that although this comment deflated my early YouTube enthusiasm a little, they had a point, and I used it as a learning experience.
For the rest, I generally respond with humour and my thanks for helping the algorithm (all comments, good or bad, are a sign of engagement as far as YouTube is concerned). Or I make good use of the 'delete and block' option.
What About Mental Health?
As I hinted at above, negative comments can take a toll on your mental health. They can gnaw at you, echoing at the back of your mind, massively overshadowing positive feedback. This is where building a supportive online and offline community becomes crucial. Engaging with fellow content creators, sharing experiences, and sometimes just venting can be incredibly therapeutic - believe me!
I also celebrate my content creation milestones in a very public fashion. This is like a "stuff you" to all those who seemingly want to bring me down. It's like I'm constantly putting a new stake in the ground and saying to the trolls, "You can't stop me, I'm here for the long term, and I will be a success!"
I remind myself why I started this content creation journey in the first place and of the joy it brings me. I look at how far I've come. I especially remember that I can't do all I am doing without the overwhelmingly positive comments and support from many lovely people that vastly outweighed the mean ones.
Setting clear boundaries for work and personal life and engaging in activities that bring joy and relaxation helps maintain a healthy balance. I've found that disconnecting from the digital world and immersing myself in a good book, going for a walk, or even a run can recharge my batteries and bolster my determination to keep pushing forward.
Turning Negativity into Positivity
Here's where the magic happens. Every troll comment, every unwarranted jab, presents an opportunity for growth and creativity. I watch many YouTubers who even incorporate some of the more absurd comments they've received into their content, addressing them with humour and light-heartedness. I've not done this much myself, but I can see that this approach not only disarms the negativity but also engages the audience, showing them a human side to someone whom they may think has got it all together - maybe this might be a reason for some of the trolling we see?
Do you recall the podcast jibe I received? Perhaps there is a space for an audio podcast in my repertoire. Could trolls be unwitting muses?
Strategies to Overcome the Trolls
Let me leave you with seven tips to help you overcome the trolls in your online life:
Ignore the Bait: The age-old wisdom of “Don’t feed the trolls” still holds up. Engaging with trolls only fuels their fire and encourages more disruptive behaviour. Ignoring them can be your first line of defence.
Use Humour and Kindness: Disarming trolls with humour or responding with unexpected kindness can negate their negativity. This approach showcases your resilience and maintains a positive environment for your genuine audience.
Establish Clear Guidelines: Having a clear set of rules for engagement on your platforms can help manage expectations and provide a basis for removing inappropriate content. It asserts your space as a no-trolling zone.
Leverage Moderation Tools: Utilise platform tools and features for comment moderation. Many social media platforms offer settings to help filter and manage comments, allowing you to maintain control over your space. For example, at the moment, I'm still small enough to hold all comments for review on YouTube, so nothing gets posted below my videos without my permission.
Block or Delete When Necessary: Sometimes, the only way to maintain a healthy community is to remove those determined to disrupt it. Don’t hesitate to block or delete comments that cross the line into harassment or hate speech.
Foster a Supportive Community: Encourage your audience to create a positive space. A strong community can act as a buffer against trolling by not giving trolls the attention they seek and by supporting you and each other against unwarranted negativity.
Take Care of Your Mental Health: The impact of trolling on creators can be significant. Protecting your mental health is vital, such as taking breaks from social media, seeking support from friends, family, or professionals, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation.
Navigating the waters of online content creation requires a sturdy ship, a compass of humour, and sails woven from resilience. The journey is fraught with challenges but rich with opportunities for growth, learning, and connection. As I continue to chart my course through these digital seas, I remain committed to my vision, fortified by the knowledge that I'm reaching new horizons with every troll comment. And hey, if all else fails, there's always the satisfaction of hitting the 'delete' button and watching a troll's efforts vanish into the ether.
Now, isn't that a power move?