Social media has given people the ability to express opinion freely without being punished or suffering legal consequences. And even though some people use the online space to lift up and support others, most individuals prefer to be mean and aggressive.
Negative comments on the internet can be damaging to one’s mental health. Hence, it’s important to know how to respond, irrespective of who they come from.
Let’s walk you through 8 tips for dealing with social media criticism.
1) Don’t take anything personally
It’s easy to feel defensive or upset when you see criticism, but try to distance yourself from the situation and approach it objectively. Everyone has different opinions and experiences and will not accept you for who you are.
By not taking it personally, you can stay calm and focused when responding to defamatory remarks.
2) Respond calmly and professionally
Responding indignantly or defensively to unfavorable remarks made online is one of the most awful things you can do. This will merely spread the flames and make things worse.
Instead, respond calmly and without aggression. Keep it brief and address the issue at hand.
Acknowledge the person’s concern or frustration and offer a solution to the problem. This demonstrates your willingness to work toward a solution and your serious consideration of the concern.
Keep in mind that your reply is intended for everyone, not just the commenter. Others will see how you handle criticism and will judge you based on that. Responding coolly might assist you in winning over your audience’s trust and demonstrate that you genuinely care about your followers.
3) Don’t feed the trolls
Avoid feeding the trolls when handling unpleasant online comments. Trolls are individuals who make intentionally inflammatory comments to get a reaction. Unfortunately, they often thrive on attention and will continue to make antagonistic remarks if they get a response.
You are essentially giving them what they want by responding to these comments. Therefore, it’s best to ignore them and simply move on. Consider blocking or reporting the user if their behavior is particularly egregious.
Remember, trolls are often not representative of your audience as a whole, and engaging with them can often do more harm than good. Stay focused on providing quality content and engaging with those interested in your online content. Don’t let a few nasty words ruin your online presence.
4) Avoid getting into arguments
You may be inclined to respond with a caustic comment of your own when someone leaves a bad comment on one of your social media posts. But starting a debate online is never a good idea. In addition to making you appear quarrelsome, it increases the likelihood that the problem may worsen and spiral out of control.
Instead, respond to the comment calmly, addressing the issue at hand and offering a solution if possible. If the commenter continues to be rude or aggressive, simply disengage and do not argue further.
Remember that the objective is to manage the situation with maturity rather than to “win” a dispute. Stay focused on resolving the issue rather than getting into a heated exchange.
5) Keep your sense of humor
Responding to negativity with a light-hearted comment or a witty remark can defuse the situation and show that you don’t take yourself too seriously. But, of course, this approach isn’t appropriate for every situation, so use your best judgment.
Do not forget that social media is meant for communication and isn’t a battlefield. Responding with humor can help disarm trolls and detractors looking for a fight. It’s crucial to maintain a sense of proportion and avoid making jokes about other people in the conversation. Keep it respectful and ensure your humor is appropriate for the situation.
Above all, keeping your sense of humor can help you stay grounded and keep perspective. Unfavorable statements can be hurtful, but they’re just words on a screen.
Avoid letting them annoy you and ruin your enjoyment of the online platform. Instead, find ways to laugh and keep the conversation positive and productive. After all, a smile is the best defense against negativity.
6) Take the conversation offline
It may be wise to move the conversation offline when criticisms get too much or get personal. Offer to continue the conversation through a private message or email where you can address the issue more directly and personally.
This also shows that you value the person’s opinion and want to find a solution or answer their concerns. Additionally, taking the conversation offline avoids potential further negative attention in the public eye.
Remember to use PhoneHistory to get a better idea of who you are dealing with, keep your message brief and respectful, then offer a solution or next steps to help alleviate the situation.
7) Use negative comments as constructive criticism
It’s natural to feel hurt or defensive when we receive defamatory feedback on social media. Keep in mind, nevertheless, that criticism can also present a chance for development and advancement. Try to determine whether there is any constructive criticism you can glean from the comment rather than lingering on the negative.
Do you have any areas where you could improve? Is there a frequent issue you can address? Don’t be scared to admit when you’ve erred and to adjust your ways when necessary. You may make the worst situation into something positive and emerge from it stronger by using negative comments as constructive criticism.
Final thoughts
Dealing with negative comments on social media can be challenging, but it’s important to approach them with a level head and a strategic mindset. Remember not to take the comments personally or let them derail your social media growth.
Instead, respond calmly and use criticism as an opportunity to learn and improve. Responding lightheartedly and taking the conversation offline can also help diffuse negativity.
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that social media is a public platform and that handling rude remarks can ultimately impact your reputation. So, take the high road, learn from your mistakes, and keep pushing forward.