Let’s be honest, reading nasty negative comments from digital trolls and hecklers feels like stepping in something unpleasant. Your immediate reaction might be to fire back a witty retort so cutting it could slice through a digital watermelon. While tempting, engaging directly can be like wrestling a pig in mud: eventually, you both get dirty, and the pig enjoys it.

Instead, consider this: those negative comments and the people leaving them — the online trolls and hecklers — are often seeking a reaction. They thrive on your outrage, your tears (digital or otherwise), and the attention. Starve them of that sweet, sweet validation. Hit that delete button, or better yet, just scroll on by. Think of it as digital decluttering for your mental well-being.

Your comedic superpower: turning negativity into gold

Now, here’s where your comedic genius comes in. You’re a master of taking the mundane, the awkward, even the downright awful, and spinning it into something hilarious. Why should online trolls and their negativity be any different?

Consider mining those comments for material. A particularly ridiculous insult could become the punchline of your next gag. A repetitive negative trope could be the subject of a satirical online sketch. Remember, you have the power to take their pathetic attempts at bringing you down and turn them into comedic gold. Who’s laughing now, eh? (Spoiler alert: it’s you, and your actual fans). However, don’t return your quip directly back to them in a reply to their comment, otherwise you’re just feeding their desire for attention.

Building your digital comedy fortress against trolls and hecklers

Prevention is better than cure, as your nan probably told you. Think about building your online spaces into a comedy fortress. This doesn’t mean shutting down all interaction, but it does mean setting some boundaries.

Most platforms allow you to moderate comments, filter out certain words, or even restrict who can comment in the first place. These tools are your digital bouncers, ensuring only the (mostly) well-behaved get in. Consider them your first line of defence against the tide of online trolls and hecklers and their negativity.

Remember the real audience isn’t the trolls and hecklers

It’s easy to get bogged down in the negativity, but remember why you started doing comedy in the first place: to make people laugh. Your real audience, the ones who get your jokes and appreciate your talent, are still out there. Focus your energy on them. Their positive feedback and support are the fuel that keeps the comedic engine running. So, keep your funny bone lubricated, and keep your elbows ready for the trolls and hecklers.

So, chin up, funny one. The online world can be a bit of a dumpster fire sometimes, but you’ve got the wit, the talent, and now the strategies to navigate it. Now go forth and be funny – the real kind, the kind that gets actual laughs, not angry keyboard smashing.

Further reading

Comedy podcasts and videos: Boost your comedian career

Social media gold: Using social media for comedy promotion

Banishing the blank page: How to overcome comedian’s block

Let’s cut the bull and get you online!

Spotlight on success: How a professional website can enhance a comedian’s career

Redcentaur case study: Jules O’Brian Comedy website development and maintenance

Redcentaur case study: Kevin Daniel Comedy website development and hosting