How to Deal With Trolls, Haters, and Negative Comments

Hi friends! I’m back with a solo episode to close out the year, and I wanted to talk about something almost every creator faces the moment their visibility starts to grow: trolls, haters, and negative comments, and why they’re not something to fear, delete, or avoid (at all).
If you’ve ever opened your comments and felt your stomach drop, questioned whether you should post again, or wondered if being more visible is even worth it, this episode is for you. I walk through why trolls are often a signal that your content is actually working, how neutrality will keep you invisible forever, and why trying to be liked by everyone is the fastest way to stall your growth.
I also share how I personally deal with trolls, how I reframe negative comments so they don’t derail me emotionally, and why learning to embrace polarity has been one of the biggest drivers of my growth online.
If you’re building a personal brand, creating content more consistently, or feeling called to show up more boldly, this episode is a reminder that relevance requires courage, and that being disliked is often a sign you’re on the right path.
02:10 My first mindset shift around trolls
04:45 Why 50% love and 50% hate is the goal
07:30 How algorithms actually interpret engagement
10:40 Why controversy drives virality
13:15 How I bait trolls in my hooks
16:05 How I stop taking negative comments personally
18:40 The biggest mistakes creators make with trolls
21:30 Why people-pleasing makes you forgettable
24:10 Trolls as a rite of passage
26:50 Final thoughts on showing up boldly online
Stay connected with me
📧 Contact: courtney@smoothmedia.co
👍 Instagram: @slaythegatekeeper
👍 Instagram: @courtlynnjohnson 
💼 LinkedIn: Courtney Johnson
🎶 TikTok: @courtney..johnson