How to respond to online criticism: Guide to replying to comments online

I received criticism today. The critic spat on my face through my monitor. But I know how to wipe myself clean. Since I have three tons of experience, I have used my communication style with critics without taking offense. The critic got scared and deleted his comments himself. It’s what the critics do when you use Alex Monaco’s technique. Do you also want to learn it? Do you want to know exactly what I wrote?

Oh yes, if you want to become irresistible, I suggest you delve into my advice. You can call this article your intro to a guide to communicating with online critics! 

In a moment, I will give you super-accurate answers, comments that you can use when you get criticized. Let’s begin?

What specific words to use when you reply to negative comments  

Today I received this message, “You talk nonsense to 13-year-old girls on TikTok.”

I could toss some pain, “Common, TikTok is for young people, you say they aren’t human?”

If I were a cocky asshole, I could reply, “Go f*ck yourself, you unhappy prick, I hate you. If you continue to write, I will ask my friends to find you and show you your place.” 

Or I could delete his message. True, it’s sometimes a wise decision if you are threatened with death, but such cases are exceptional. So I wrote, “Comment accepted.”

Such a comment stifles criticism in most cases, but not this time. So an evil critic wrote, “Well, admit it, you wrote nonsense here!”

I wrote that I wish him a good luck by noting: “Thanks for the criticism; the next time you would like to write—go ahead, I read all the comments.” 

It’s a powerful comment that means you’re ready and won’t give the critic the energy he expects as a vampire. However, this comment did not work. So the critic poured even more dirt, and after pulling out a huge hose, splashed me with shit. He wrote, “You don’t listen. You don’t care about people, so it doesn’t make sense. You could do a lot because sometimes you write well, but you don’t always do that.”

As you can see I faced a stubborn critic. In this situation, you need a different approach. So I decided to make an investigation. Went to see what this critic does on social accounts. First I checked TikTok. 

In one of his posts, he filmed a speedometer in his car, next to which it was possible to see that the fuel was 100 percent full. By showing his speedometer he stated, “I’m rich.” 

The video was funny so that I could write in the comments, “Oh, a very wise video! Good job, fellow.” But this comment would make even greater fire; there would be a furious fight. But I didn’t think about it. I really liked the energy and childish enthusiasm of the author, so I wrote under his video, “Luxe.”  

What do you think happened?

This guy deleted his comments!

Understand, I didn’t do it on purpose. I just did what I wanted, not paying attention to what he did to me. When your actions don’t depend on how badly others treat you, you become indestructible, and people feel it. They begin to wonder if they did the right thing. It becomes a lesson for them. 

I think this critic will remember this lesson for a lifetime. Why do I think so? Because I tried to find this man’s account to share with you, but the account vanished as if it never existed. Maybe he felt his hat on fire; perhaps he thought his videos were pointless? Who knows. Anyway, I didn’t want him to delete his account. I think people should create. Because how else can you learn to create something meaningful if not by improving your creations? There is always cliche in the beginning, and your artworks may look as trivial as Picasso’s paintings once looked, but without polishing yourself, drawing paintings, and receiving criticism, you can’t rise to the next level. It’s only because such people have dared to take the first step. It means that every genius has made bad decisions at one time. Like you, my reader—you will always be criticized in the beginning. I hope you understood my thoughts.

So don’t take to heart what those trolls say about you on the Internet. 

Because your creations today are one of the steps, you are taking towards something stronger. This step should not be avoided! 

You will learn, so you shouldn’t be too sensitive to criticism. But you have to set an example for others. Because what kind of person you are is much more important than what you produce in your workshop. 

I repeat, your values and actions are much more important than critics’ opinions about your work. Do you understand what I want to say? 

I know sometimes people don’t understand me, but I don’t just write to those who want easy-to-understand content. At the same time, I sometimes write very clear and light content. I just act the way I want when it comes to writing, and here’s a public response to comments is another matter. Responding to comments can inspire people and increase your human worth—enhancing your emotional qualities! In other words, responding to bad comments can be one of the personality change tools you use. 

“Wait, Alex, can you give one more piece of advice on how to respond to bad comments? After all, there are different cases. The one you wrote about in the article is not commonplace!” one of the readers will ask. 

Yes, I can! 

Read the second part of my article: 

How to reply to humiliating comments online: Part two

Imagine they wrote to you, “You are degenerate.”

What do you think should be your reply? 

What if you would just put a simple + cute answer, “I saw your comment.”

Such a comment will shock your critic. He simply won’t know what to answer. Besides, other commentators will be surprised. This comment has a subtext which means that you are not an uneducated person who responds to criticism. It will be a sign that you are experienced. Because commenting is a great tool to show that you are a mature person 😉

Or you can ask for help.

You can write, “If you say that I am degenerate, please help me to solve it! I really need your help, and thanks in advance!” 

I tried this tactic many times!

For example, I was once told that my article had grammar errors. I wrote back, “Thanks, I’m currently looking for someone to fix them; I hope you will write to me and help. And if you can, email me marked error locations so I know what to fix.”

What do you think the commentator wrote back? Do you think he helped me? No! Because they write to humiliate, not to support. However, such a comment helps your critic to understand that they need to take responsibility for their own words. I doubt this commentator wrote to others after this incident. He finally got a lesson. I mean, my goal was not to win against this person. My goal was to stop him from writing negativity online. Yes, I’m sure this person is still disturbing the Internet, but not because of grammar mistakes. I’m also convinced that there would be no angry critics if everyone responded as I did. But people don’t behave like this. When they receive a negative comment, they shout back! But what’s the point in disputes???  

So how do you get my suggestions? Will you use it? 

In any case, there are a few things to keep in mind before commenting: 

a) Don’t try to convince the person that they are wrong. It is not the purpose of your life. And if you think so, then I am convinced that when you are 70 years old, you will surely tell yourself, “Well, I was stupid because I wasted my time trying to prove something to others.” 

b) You become an inspirational person not when you courageously criticize others but when you inspire them to become better people. 

That’s not all. There are a few more things you need to know.

1. Critics want entertainment. 

Many critics are children who write comments while taking the bus or subway home. Sometimes adults write comments after a solid glass of beer. That’s how they have fun. The comment section is for them a kind of entertainment arena in which they pour their potential—energy. They haven’t found a smarter way to spend their free time yet. For example, my hobby is responding to humiliating messages to make a critic feel my support. And others take their time to belittle. We basically do the same, only I will never regret my actions, and they will.

2. Sometimes, there is a real reason for which you deserve criticism.  

Admittedly, sometimes the criticism you face will be right and even beneficial. Therefore, I suggest that you treat comments soberly. I know, it can be hard at times, but you can use criticism to improve yourself. For example, I’m pleased with the criticism because it’s free advice. Damn, some people pay for advice on business and life, and here you get it for free! 

3. Never respond to criticism immediately while you are still angry.  

As you know, people are emotional creations. Therefore, they behave illogically. I’m among them because I’m not a robot. Since my audience is over 100,000 and some of my videos are watched by over 200,000 people, I face a lot of criticism. Sometimes I feel angry too. But I know how to control it. Because I know that there will be problems if I don’t do it. That’s why I inhale air every time I feel angry. Oh yeah, never reply to comments right away. I’m not just talking about online bullying. In general, in a family, in a relationship, don’t try to share your bad thoughts right after someone has said something offensive. Wait a few minutes. Let your thoughts sort themselves out. I know it’s not easy, so I know how to help you. I wrote a free book about it. Use it: “How to Kill the Inner Critic.”