Melotti Media | Sydney Copywriting & Message Marketing Bureau
  • Home
  • Services
    • Copywriting Services
    • White label Copywriting Services
    • Content Marketing and Strategy
    • User Experience Design Copywriting page
    • Conceptual and Campaign Copy
    • Blog and Article Copywriting
    • Digital and Website Copywriting
    • Core Brand Message Development
    • Branding Content Copywriting
    • Video and Radio Scriptwriting
    • Government Copywriting Services
    • Marketing Audit Services
    • Ad Copywriting Services
    • Voice Search Copywriting
    • SEO Copywriting Services
    • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Copywriting
    • IT Copywriting Services
    • Social Media Caption Copywriting
  • Testimonials
  • Portfolio
  • About
    • Our Team
  • Classes
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • FAQ
    • Copywriting FAQ
    • Message Marketing FAQ
    • Working with Melotti Media
  • Contact
Picture

THE MESSAGE MARKETING BLOG

 Valuable snapshots about Business, Marketing, Content and Copywriting success

Does getting "trolled" mean you're doing well?

20/3/2018

 
Picture
Here's a controversial and fun topic! 

I've been trolled twice now, on LinkedIn of all platforms, and it's been the same type of person both times. So what does this suggest, and what's the underlying meaning here? 

Trolling is an inevitable part of being online, and I welcome all feedback from people.

​However, what do those nasty little messages mean? And how do you best deal with it?
Picture
The Two Nasty Attacks!

Yep, there's only been two so far, and I can already hear you saying: "relax, Chris! People get trolled five times a day, and you're bringing up two in several years? Get over it!"

Well... yes, but that's exactly the point. Two times or five, what do these kinds of attacks usually indicate?

The First Incident 

Winning the Australian Marketing Institute's (AMI) Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of the Year award last year was a significant highlight in my career. I was so humbled to receive it, and it meant a lot to me, especially at the time, as I was transitionally over to becoming fully self-employed. The award gave me the confidence to know I was making the right choice.

What was even more touching was the outpouring of supportive messages and comments from colleagues, friends and even people in my extended network across social media. It was a fantastic experience, and for that I'm thankful.

That was when it struck. My first nasty comment. 

I get it! It happens, and you can't please everyone. Nor should you try. But I was taken aback when a self-proclaimed figurehead in Australian Marketing circles accused the AMI of being out of their minds by choosing me, despite him not knowing a thing about me at all.

Now, at the time, I had no idea who this person was, but with a bit of quick research, I found out all I needed to in about ten minutes. He was a 60+ year old male, whose posts and comments were filled with a relentless theme of bitter hatred about the modern marketing industry, all of which reeked of a underlying desperation to remain relevant.

What was even more interesting was that, despite being what they claimed as "if you haven't heard of me, you are a lightweight in the industry", their website and branding spoke volumes. It looked like it was designed in the 1990ies, and had never been updated or changed since its inception. What was worse is that, their website copy was just as negative as their blog. If I was a potential lead and say that line, I'd be a bit put off, myself!

But... I refused to lower myself to their level.

So, I responded professionally, and took the high road- as you should. I copped more abuse and rubbish from his reply, which is when I decided to call him directly. Well- he went to absolute water when I began to explain who I was. 

"Instead of trying to tell me how insignificant I am," I said calmly, "how about trying to be more supportive of upcoming people in the industry? You should be taking a mentor role and offering your advice, rather than sniping away with horrible comments from afar."

Well, what a turnaround! He responded with "Well said, Christopher. I'm just a grumpy old man who has been branded as a dinosaur because I come from Direct Marketing... which is exactly what digital marketing is. I hope our paths cross in the future."
Picture
The Second Incident

This one was more recent, and was in relation to a recent post I made on LinkedIn about an upcoming Copywriting class that I'm teaching in Sydney, which I titled: "Copywriting and how to get it write."

This was just a funny play on words and it got a lot of attention. Mission successful. 

Well, a fellow copywriter- again, 60+ male- swooped in with the comment: "wow, with that typo in the title, this isn't a good advert for a writing course." BOOM.

Now, let's ignore his complete ignorance for a second. Who just does that? Who writes something like that, for no other reason than to just have a dig? Worse, people started blindly liking his comment, despite me writing back to explain that it was intentional.

So, again, I put my research hat on and again, it was the same story. Self-proclaimed award winning and world-renowned marketing professional, but this time, his website was from the 1980ies when the Internet was first invented. It was black, with blocky white writing, crammed into the top left-hand corner. I can't begin to explain how terrible the formatting and the wording was. 

I did the only reasonable thing and offered him free tickets to my seminar as a way to help him! Of which, I'm not surprised, he promptly declined. 
Picture
What does it all mean?

Let's face it- both occasions were fuelled by jealousy. It's completely obvious, so let's not beat around the bush here.

So what's the common denominator? In my experience, people spread trolling and hateful comments when they're threatened or infected by the green-eyed monster. In today's very competitive world, envy a pride can drive even the most mature people to act rashly and drop all pretences of professionalism. 

What should we learn from this? 
  1. Ignore anything extremely petty, as most of it is not worth your time
  2. For larger things that you can't ignore, respond. But ALWAYS keep it professional. Don't lower yourself to their level.
  3. Chances are, they're acting the way they are because of an issue they have with themselves, and not you. So don't take it personally and certainly don't dwell on it
  4. The block button can be your best friend
  5. Take constructive feedback on- but only if it really is constructive, because we are never done learning.

I'm by far a figurehead or a celebrity, or an expert in any regard. But I work hard every day to achieve what I do, and I deserve my success as a result. Even if some random person on the internet disagrees. 

So, a message to the trolls

Vent your frustration into self-help and self-improvement, rather than bringing others down. Perhaps invest some of that built up energy in dealing with your issues and learning how to better yourself as an opportunity, rather than seeing the world around you as a threat.

​I hope that my experience will show others what's out there, and that you should never let someone else stop you from doing your thing.

.... now, back on track with copywriting!
Picture
How Can Melotti Media Copywriting Help You With Your Content?

At Melotti Media, we understand that high quality copywriting is essential for business success, but it is easier said than done. You’re time poor and spread thin, and writing isn’t your expertise. So, focus on what really matters, while we take care of all of your copywriting and marketing needs!

If you need further clarification about content, or if you need a quality copywriter to get the results you need, contact me now at chris@melottimedia.com.au. Or leave a comment, below.

I can sharpen your words to achieve your goals, today!

Christopher Melotti

Melotti Media Copywriting and Marketing Solutions
www.melottimedia.com.au
 
Click here to view the Copywriting FAQ page for all you need to know ​​​
    Picture

    Author:
    Christopher Melotti

    Copywriting and Message Marketer

    Like What You're Reading?
    Picture
    Author:
    Jiane Regala
    ​

    Content Producer
    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Business
    Communications
    Content Marketing
    Copywriting
    Customers
    Growth
    Marketing
    Mentoring
    Personal
    Popular Culture
    Real Estate
    Seo
    Voice Search
    Writing

    DISCLAIMER: This blog expresses the opinion of Christopher Melotti (Melotti Media) and should be taken as general information only. No responsibility is taken for your actions in response to any content in this blog. See the website's Terms and Conditions for more information. 

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    October 2016
    June 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    October 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    December 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    April 2013
    January 2013

MelottiMedia.com.au
Copywriting, Content, SEO and Marketing Solutions, Sydney NSW Australia

​
info@melottimedia.com.au

Website by Melotti Media. (C) 2020 Christopher Melotti. All Rights Reserved

DISCLAIMER    PRIVACY POLICY    TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Copywriting FAQ
The Copywriting Blog
Copywriting Services
Contact Melotti Media
  • Home
  • Services
    • Copywriting Services
    • White label Copywriting Services
    • Content Marketing and Strategy
    • User Experience Design Copywriting page
    • Conceptual and Campaign Copy
    • Blog and Article Copywriting
    • Digital and Website Copywriting
    • Core Brand Message Development
    • Branding Content Copywriting
    • Video and Radio Scriptwriting
    • Government Copywriting Services
    • Marketing Audit Services
    • Ad Copywriting Services
    • Voice Search Copywriting
    • SEO Copywriting Services
    • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Copywriting
    • IT Copywriting Services
    • Social Media Caption Copywriting
  • Testimonials
  • Portfolio
  • About
    • Our Team
  • Classes
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • FAQ
    • Copywriting FAQ
    • Message Marketing FAQ
    • Working with Melotti Media
  • Contact