Dispatch 06222024: Discover the power of the block button
The best way to to rid yourself of online trolls
Social media is a double-edged sword for writers. That’s an undeniable truth.
On the one hand it allows us to promote our work, connect with our readers, and network with other creatives. That’s the positive side.
Unfortunately, being active on social media also exposes us to the Dark Side.
Here there be trolls – and other various forms of life more commonly found in the deepest layers of pond scum.
Not long after I launched my fiction writing career – and created my social media accounts – I had the “pleasure” of encountering these creatures.
At first, like anyone would, I engaged these people whenever they attacked me and/or my work. It’s a natural reaction.
For the first two or three years the battles were epic.
They were also a colossal waste of time and effort.
Once I finally realized that, I put an end to engaging these cretins. And my life – and primarily my attitude – vastly and immediately improved.
That was the moment I discovered the greatest tool in the social media toolbox – for writers and pretty much everyone else.
The block button.
You don’t need the negative energy these trolls bring. They do nothing for your engagement – other than to allow them to draw in their troll friends to pile on you.
That’s what they live for.
So, how best to get rid of the infestation?
Starve it. The attention they get on social media is literally their oxygen. Don’t give them the attention, they die off.
Or at the very least, they go off and bother someone else.
And that’s where the block button comes in. As soon as you identify them, block them. Don’t respond to them, don’t quote repost, or share, or whatever.
Just throw the block and go about your day.
More importantly, go about doing whatever it is that this life has called you to do.
That’s the kill shot when it comes to these vermintroll-people.
Go out and be happy with your life and your work. They hate that most of all, because they cannot deal with someone who is happy with their life.
Because the secret is: The trolls are deep down very unhappy, soulless creatures.
So, block them, and leave them in their pit of dark despair where they belong.
You’ve got better things to do. The rest of us are waiting to see what wonders you have created for us.
So get to it.
This must be shared on Oracle PR chat. There's a good lesson here for our authors, especially Ben who is in the thick of it posting our promos.