When creating online content like videos, podcasts, or live streams, you'll inevitably encounter troll comments hidden among the feedback.
Unfortunately, trolls and hateful comments are prevalent online, seizing any chance to type in the comment box. Constant exposure to such negativity can severely impact your mental health, particularly when it feels beyond your control.
Today, we'll share some tips and tricks to help you manage and reduce those hateful troll comments.
Restrict / no comments
Everybody loves communicating in the comments. We all love reading our adoring fans telling us how much they love us. But comments are also where the horrible stuff hides. Don't be inundated with horrible troll comments.
And yes, there should be personal responsibility for those writing the comments. But, unfortunately, this is the internet, so sadly, they'll make it the onus of the uploader.
One of the best things you can do is restrict the comments. Restricting comments enables you to approve which comments turn up on your feed and decide.
However, you can turn off the comments if you don't even want to read them, and decide whether it shows up in the comment section.
Limit how long you read comments
One effective strategy is to allow some time for your podcast or YouTube video to settle after posting. Initially, positive comments are often followed by trolling.
Many creators recommend engaging with comments and responding within the first hour of uploading, as this helps them address negative remarks swiftly. By limiting exposure to such comments, creators protect their mental well-being.
It's crucial to distinguish between troll comments and constructive criticism—the latter offers valuable feedback for improvement and should be prioritized over troll remarks.
Moderators are good
You can't restrict comments because of the nature of a live stream and how chatting in the chat room works for that content type. So those horrible troll comments will get through!
One of the best ways to stop troll comments from getting through is to get some moderators to scroll through the chat during the stream.
You will need to set community guidelines and be strict with them. Otherwise, people will take advantage and turn your live stream chat into hell, lowering engagement. It makes it less fun for everyone.
Plus, a live stream is a public space, so people need to feel welcomed. Moderators and strict chat rules help you and your audience.
Don't argue with a troll
Dealing with trolls 101 is knowing that these people love a reaction. They won't care if you come at them with evidence, an edgy meme, or something equally as harmful! It'll just give them what they want and further expand their comments and opinions.
It'll be a waste of your time too!
In short, never respond to a troll comment if you want peace online! Unless they've said something intolerable, in which case, maybe then react to it or delete it!
The difference between a troll and criticism
When someone becomes prominent online and receives genuine criticism for their actions or words, they often dismiss it as feedback from a troll or hater, ignoring potential areas for improvement.
Dismissing all criticism as coming from trolls and haters is ineffective because valuable critiques exist that highlight necessary improvements. Learning to distinguish between these is crucial.
An example of a troll comment:
- OMG, look at how terrible that hairstyle is! Even if you went to the hairdresser, it wouldn't improve, LOL!
Example of genuine criticism:
- You need to start adding subtitles or closed captions, as I can't understand the video properly
- The audio was a bit off in my left ear, but the video was great
And being able to spot the difference and knowing when to pick your battles will make you a better content creator. And enable your online community to thrive!
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