So, you are setting up your own online brand, you do something special that caters to the needs of a specific market or niche, and one day, something unusual comes through your Google Alerts. It is something that you knew was coming, and were dreading the day that it would happen. You get a ball in the back of your throat, butterflies in your tummy, and feel physically sick because unlike everything that has been coming through, this is the first time that anyone has openly hated upon you. I am speaking about trolls. Those people that live on controversy, have opinions that they like to make known whether or not they are right or wrong, and all around, have a lot of fun in the process. Bottom line is this. Don’t feed the trolls! Here is why…
Haters Always Speak The Loudest
The truth of the matter is that any speak is good speak. If people are paying attention to you enough, then eventually someone is going to attempt to throw some dirt on your name, it is the life cycle of anyone who builds up their own brand online. Out of all of that talk, there is bound to be a hell of a lot of good talk, right?
Now the life cycle of the hater is a little different. They bite, they wait, they bite some more, then eventually they move on to their next target when they don’t get a response. This can be done using social media, blogs, and even forums as well. The cruel side of this is that we, as typical ordinary human beings, are much more responsive to criticism than praise. This is what fuels trolls, and this is why being a troll is so addictive to those who are.
I have seen blogs dedicated to hating on specific internet marketers, and even forums that base the majority of their content on questioning the credibility of online personalities as well. This specific breed of haters are generally fairly successful too, as they build their brand on controversy. Hey, if there is money to be made….
The Truth Of The Matter Is This…
There is no better indication that you are doing something right than getting a notification in Google Alerts that someone is hating upon you. What this means is simple. You are getting enough attention that people are talking about you.
Sure, it hurts when people question your ability to do your job, however, I can guarantee that if there is enough chatter about you to warrant some good old fashioned hating against you, that there will be much more good, and from legit sources too. Just search your name in Twitter, or use Google Alerts to see what I mean.
Don’t Feed The Trolls!
Sure, you have had some good old fashioned hating made out for you, and you want to go and respond. Stop. Remember that trolls live for controversy, nothing more nothing less. I can guarantee you that the second that you respond and defend yourself that the specific page that is hating you will become more and more active, and as time goes on, it will be linked to, and may even start to rank for your name. Now, you really don’t want that to happen, do you?
Instead, focus on the crowd that you make happy. Invest your time in them, and encourage positive chit chat. Sure, you are never going to make everyone happy, that is the nature of working online, but the best time spent is time spent pleasing your market rather than feeding the trolls.
Remember, regardless of what you do, trolls will always find a reason to do some good old fashioned hating. Sure, if it is a problem, then work on it, but your time is better spent pleasing those who follow you. Bottom line is… DONT FEED THE TROLLS!
This post was created on my super awesome iPad.
