How to Respond to Trolls and Build Audience Trust

Ever felt like quitting LinkedIn right after seeing a rude comment? It’s tough when you realize that being visible also draws critics, even trolls. I’ve been there, and here’s what I’ve learned about dealing with negativity without losing my cool or damaging my credibility. 1) Separate Emotion from Intent Not all criticism is bad. Sometimes, it’s feedback that can help you grow. If it’s constructive, thank the person and see what you can improve. If it’s pure negativity, don’t let it rent space in your head. 2) Pick Your Battles When you’re tagged in something controversial or completely irrelevant, pause before you respond. Ask yourself: Does replying help my personal brand or hurt it? Sometimes, the best response is no response at all. 3) Set Boundaries If someone repeatedly tags you in off-topic posts or keeps leaving harmful comments, it’s okay to tell them to stop. And if they don’t listen, remember you can block or report them. Your mental well-being and professional image matter. 4) Stay Professional No matter how harsh the words, keeping your response calm and polite protects your reputation. Take a breath, think it through, and if you decide to reply, do it carefully. 5) Focus on Your Supporters For every negative voice, there are usually many who genuinely appreciate what you share. Spend your time interacting with those positive people instead. Criticism is part of growing a presence online. The bigger your platform, the louder the noise may become. Learn what you can, leave the rest, and keep moving forward. How do you handle negativity on LinkedIn? Let me know in the comments!

Trolls are inevitable when advocating for Indigenous rights—but here's how I shut one down without breaking a sweat. When I engaged with a troll who dismissed my perspective on Indigenous sovereignty, it became a perfect example of how 𝘯𝘰𝘵 to engage with our communities. While discussing data sovereignty and the importance of Indigenous control over digital narratives, a commenter attempted to derail the conversation, dismissing my perspective and doubling down in typical troll fashion. Instead of letting it escalate, I used this opportunity to demonstrate effective strategies for handling trolls constructively. 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐎𝐮𝐭, 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐥𝐲: When the commenter questioned my credibility, I addressed the dismissive behavior without getting emotional. Trolls rely on reactions, so staying composed disarms them. 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬: Trolls distract and deviate. I kept the focus on the real issue—digital colonization and the erasure of Indigenous voices—leaving no space for irrelevant arguments. Staying grounded in facts prevents the conversation from veering off course. 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝: Rather than engaging in endless back-and-forth, I made my final points sharp, clear, and closed the conversation. I highlighted the broader systemic issues at play, ensuring the discussion ended on my terms. 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞: It was important to acknowledge the power dynamics influencing the commenter’s views. Rather than attacking personally, I emphasized the systemic privilege at play, keeping the conversation rooted in reality. 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐧: After making my point, I didn’t linger. Time spent feeding trolls is better invested in the real work—advocating for our communities and keeping the narrative focused on solutions. Eventually I ended up blocking the guy because he would not let up and my post on Data Sovereignty and Indigenous rights was becoming his personal therapy space. Trolls are a reality when discussing justice and sovereignty, but how we handle them makes the difference. Defend your message by staying factual, calm, and focused on the real work. What’s your approach when dealing with online trolls? Share your thoughts or strategies in the comments—let’s discuss! #IndigenousRights #DataSovereignty #DigitalColonization #TrollControl #SpeakYourTruth #RespectIndigenousVoices

Criticism Builds Character... and a Stronger Personal Brand. Online negativity can feel like a knock to your confidence. I get it – I’ve been there. The first time I faced it, it hurt. Someone said I wasn’t "very smart" because of my degree, and a person I knew wrote a post and publicly called my online presence "boring". But here’s the truth: showing up online means facing criticism – it’s part of the deal. The good news? You can flip the script. Criticism is a chance to show resilience, reinforce your values, and grow your personal brand. 9 Ways You Can Turn Criticism Into Personal Brand Growth 1️⃣ Choose Your Battles ↳ Not every comment deserves a reply. ↳ Trolls thrive on attention – don’t give it. ↳ Engage only with comments that add value. 2️⃣ Know When to Delete ↳ Hate speech or personal attacks? Delete them. ↳ Constructive criticism? Leave it – it shows you’re open to learning. 3️⃣ Practise Empathy ↳ Negativity often reflects the critic’s struggles. ↳ Ask yourself: "What’s going on in their world?" 4️⃣ Feed the Algorithm ↳ Controversial comments can boost visibility. ↳ Reply strategically to keep the focus on your values. 5️⃣ Turn Criticism Into Content ↳ Use criticism as inspiration for your next post. ↳ Address common misconceptions and demonstrate thought leadership. 6️⃣ Welcome New Perspectives ↳ Disagreement doesn’t mean disrespect. ↳ Engaging with different views shows maturity and builds credibility. 7️⃣ Own Your Mistakes ↳ Admitting errors makes you relatable. ↳ When I corrected a factual error publicly, it earned trust. 8️⃣ Set Boundaries ↳ Respectful dialogue is welcome. ↳ Personal attacks are not – protect your energy. 9️⃣ Reframe Negativity ↳ Criticism means you’re making waves. ↳ Take it as a sign that you’re standing out and having an impact. Criticism isn’t a roadblock – it’s a stepping stone. Every negative comment is a chance to showcase your resilience, professionalism, and values, building a stronger personal brand in the process. 👉 How do you handle online negativity? I'd love to hear your go-to tips. ♻️ Repost this to inspire someone who needs to show up more online and stop fearing criticism. 🔔 Follow me, Jen Blandos, for actionable insights on business, entrepreneurship, and workplace wellbeing.