How to Handle H8rs on Twitter

Published on July 10th, 2015 | by Kara Hamilton

Twitter is a special kind of social media where people you don’t necessarily know can Tweet to you, about you, or in response to something you personally Tweeted. Usually because of your hash tag, users are able to find your Tweets based on a subject. Most recently with the decisions of the Supreme Court, if you weren’t Tweeting in celebration of those decisions you may have faced some heated Tweets. Especially when Tweeting about politics, how do you go about reacting to a negative Tweet?

1) Stay calm:

Of course you’re going to feel a rush of adrenaline and you’re going to want to write a novel when someone ‘hates’ on your Tweet. Take a breath, first off, you’re on Twitter and your characters are limited so you need to be in a calm state of mind to choose your words carefully. Don’t get enraged, that’s often the reaction Twitter trolls are aiming for. Stay calm and think with a clear mind to create a clever response.

2) Get your facts:

You want to have an intelligible and factual response to whomever you are dealing with. Do some research, make sure you’re tweeting with good facts and reasoning. Having accurate information will only strengthen your argument

3) Check your grammar, twice:

The quickest way you can discredit yourself is by using improper grammar. Check your Tweet, multiple times, and if possible have a friend read it over for you. Don’t give them an easy way to attack you just because you used ‘your’ instead of ‘you’re’.

4) Be coherent of your audience:

It’s vital to know that other people, besides that specific individual, will see your response. Your language, facts, and grammar are especially important when considering how many people will see your Tweet. Your audience on Twitter is beyond your control in a sense, be aware of that.

5) Don’t back down:

You shouldn’t have to delete your opinion; don’t give in. Some people who attack your Tweets can be persistent and aggressive, but don’t show weakness. The worst thing you can do is delete a Tweet because of a negative response. This shows the rest of your audience that you don’t strongly believe in that Tweet enough to withstand debate from others.

6) Be FLATTERED:

If you have haters you must be doing something right, right? RIGHT! If your Tweets are getting attention, that’s the whole purpose! Even if they don’t necessarily agree with you, strangers are reading your Tweets and you should be flattered!

7) Remember Twitter is a great tool:

Social media has lots of opportunities to influence others. When you Tweet about popular issues a lot, the negative responses will inevitably occur. The best thing to remember is Twitter has the power to influence so many people. Again, remember your audience and be aware of who else you could be reaching!

Don’t let a little negativity take over, you can use Twitter to YOUR advantage. Happy Tweeting!

Tags: argument, fights, haters, kara hamilton, trolls, tweet, tweets, twitter