You're facing trolls and cyberbullying in the Creator Economy. How can you uphold your professionalism?

I always try to consider the fact that there is a good chance the “troll” is a bot or fake account, so why even bother attempting to rationalize or debate the subject matter? Just let it go. There is no upside to arguing online.

While I agree it’s important to stay calm and set boundaries, I find it helpful to ‘draft’ a response and sit on it for a day. Most of the time, it’s best to move on weigh your response on what is your true motivation to engage with a potentially negative banter. After a draft and reviewing your response, you’ll make the right decision for you as to what is in your best interests. It’s always good to check your ego with respect to the ‘why’ you choose to engage;)

Stay calm when confronted with trolls or cyberbullying. Your initial reaction might be to respond defensively, but it's crucial to remember that as a content creator, you'll encounter a diverse audience with varied opinions. Negative comments are inevitable, but don't let them affect you. Focus on the constructive feedback and the support from your genuine audience. Prioritize the positive and helpful comments that contribute to your growth. Engaging with negativity only detracts from your main goals. By staying calm and centered, you can maintain your focus on creating valuable content and fostering a positive community.

Every opinion (remember, they are only opinions!) does not deserve a response. You always have the freedom to choose. When you do decide to do so, respond with irrefutable knowledge, facts and logic. That's pretty unbeatable.

Discipline would allow you to be silent while the trolls troll or after the cyberbully feels that they've said their peace. Then quietly state the facts of the argument highlighting the win-win of the business.

While it's often best to ignore negative comments, it's essential to set boundaries as a content creator. Clear guidelines for unacceptable behaviour within your online spaces are crucial. When these boundaries are crossed, have a plan to address the situation professionally. Options include blocking individuals who engage in cyberbullying or turning off comments if necessary. Establishing boundaries helps maintain a respectful environment for you and your audience. By setting and enforcing these limits, you protect your mental well-being and ensure a positive community. Remember, your online space should be a place of constructive interaction and support.

Calmly block the person and turn your attention to something that you enjoy. Should it become more regular then you may wish to raise this with your employer or report them for harassment

DELET. BLOCK. AND MOVE ON… That’s it. Trolls love feeding, there is no engaging wisely. Many just say things to provoke and some are bots. You will be giving energy to something that is not worth it, by engaging. Save your energy for the things you desire to manifest - not waste it on negativity.

If you feel you really must respond, ask yourself if it’s out of defensiveness and anger or if you are intending a genuine respectful debate? If it’s not respectful by either party, disengage!

In the best case scenario, when you have a strong brand and an engaged community following the work you do as a creator, you will have members of that community chime in on your behalf and counteract/address what the troll is saying. I also strongly suggest having community guidelines in place that you promote to your followers, with outlined steps you take when dealing with hateful language/attacks. For example, if someone posts something racist/sexist, etc. that actively encourages hate/violence, your policy gives you the insurance to delete whatever it is they're saying. You can respond to them in a reply letting them know they've violated your policy and then remove their comment.

If you are not a big creator then deal with these trolls and cyberbullies with patience and positivity. Don't engage them because they won't listen to what you are saying. So the best way is not to let this affect you. Just ignore them. If you are a big creator then your community will be your support. Your community will stand with you against these trolls and cyberbullies.

You’ll also want to plan for how to move forward. This is a good time to reevaluate any strategies and double check that your actions and planned content align with your values and any new insight you gained. Adversity is an opportunity to grow and learn.