Hostility on Social Media (and how to “deal”)

Social Media Troll (DEFINITION): Someone who creates conflict on sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit by posting messages that are particularly controversial or inflammatory with the sole intent of provoking an emotional [angry] response from others. (Source: Huffington Post) 

We’ve all experienced those negative people trolling our pages. I've got the best tips from the National Association of REALTORS®​ Director of Member Engagement on how to combat trollers on your business social media pages.

1# - Know the “Hot Button” issues. Mainly Politics. Your business pages are not the place for your personal opinions, and bringing those personal beliefs to the the public opens it up for people who don’t have the same beliefs as you. Leave those “Hot Button” issues off of your business pages 

2# - Keep it positive. Everything you post on your business page should be positive. This is not the place to vent and posting negative content attracts negative people.

3# - Make sure your facts are correct. Fact check, fact check, fact check. Before you post something, do your research. This will save you from embarrassment in the long run.

4# - People don’t read. In today’s age, people don’t read; they skim. This means that your headline is the MOST important aspect of the content you’re sharing. Make sure the headline matches what the article is about and that it's what you want to share with your audience.
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#5 – Respond to the bad comments. Not to start and argument, but to educate. By responding to the negative comments with FACTS you can educate not only the troll, but the public reading your comments. Don’t over educate, sometimes the best comments are the shortest and the simplest.


Created for Montana Association of REALTORS® and posted on 11/8/2016 

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