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Whether you’re on Day 1 or Day 365 of your blogging journey, negative feedback is inevitable. Allison from The House of Hepworths shares what she’s learned about dealing with mean comments—and how to turn them into fuel for your success.
1. The Reality Check: Mean Comments Happen
– No matter how polished your design or heartfelt your writing, one day a hurtful comment will land in your inbox.
– It can knock the wind out of you, dent your confidence, and make you question why you started blogging in the first place.
– Recognize it’s universal: every blogger—even seasoned pros—has faced criticism.
2. Spotting Constructive Criticism vs. Pure Meanness
Constructive Criticism
• Offers specific feedback (“I struggled following Step 3 of your tutorial.”)
• Comes from a desire to help you improve
Pure Mean-Spirited Comments
• Attack your character or motives (“You’re arrogant and clueless.”)
• Serve only to provoke or tear you down
When in doubt, ask yourself: “Is this person trying to help me, or just trying to hurt me?”
3. Your Rights as a Blogger: Protecting Your “Online Home”
– Your blog is *your* space—just as you wouldn’t host a rude houseguest in person, don’t welcome unkind commenters online.
– If a comment crosses the line into name-calling, personal attacks, or bullying, delete it.
– You do *not* owe a response to anyone who’s merely out to make you feel small.
4. Tactics for Handling the Sting
1. Immediately remove any comment that’s purely hateful.
2. Review the kind messages you’ve received—this helps balance your mood.
3. Remind yourself of your mission: why you started blogging, who you want to serve, and the people who support you.
4. Choose to have a good day. You can’t control someone else’s nastiness, but you *can* control your reaction.
5. If you need to, call a friend, vent for five minutes, have a good cry—and then get back to what you love.
5. Lessons I Wish I’d Learned Sooner
– You don’t have to log every comment—quality matters more than quantity.
– Giving validity to a troll only drains your energy. Cut them off.
– Build your own support network of blogging friends who can lift you up when you’re down.
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Quick Q&A with Allison
Q: Did you have a clear direction for your blog at first?
A: Absolutely. I’d been reading home-and-DIY blogs for months before launching, so I knew I wanted to focus on crafts, decor projects, and decorating inspiration.
Q: When did you start losing confidence?
A: Not at the beginning—I was blissfully ignorant of the “big leagues.” As traffic grew, I became more self-conscious. Mood swings are real, but I remind myself: “I’m good enough—I’ll keep going.”
Q: What’s the most important advice for new bloggers?
A: Don’t sit around waiting for success—make it happen! Here are my top strategies:
1. Link Parties
• Find link-up parties in your niche and join every week.
• Aim to be in the first 5–10 links for maximum visibility.
2. Guest Posting
• Pitch to blogs that accept guest posts—use your very best content.
• A standout tutorial or project on someone else’s site will funnel new readers back to you.
3. Curator Sites
• Identify blogs or websites that feature community projects.
• Submit your tutorials and stories—never hesitate to ask.
4. Engage Thoughtfully
• Leave genuine, on-topic comments on other blogs.
• Sign each comment with your name and blog URL so curious readers can find you.
5. Persevere
• Blog for *your* joy first—enthusiasm and authenticity shine through your words.
• Consistency, passion, and resilience pay off in the long run.
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Choose to be awesome. Your blog is your creative home—fill it with positivity, high-quality content, and a community that celebrates you. Mean comments? They’re outta here!
