Bloggers: How to Respond to Petty Comments About Your Work // FrameAmbition
People will always talk. Sticks and stones. Don't argue with fools. Ignore it. A lion doesn't concern itself with the opinions of sheep. BlahBlahBlah.
P: Ashton Boni. MUA: Terry Maher.
I'm not quite the poker-face type so usually that takes care of people's cute comments about my being a full-time freelancer/hustler and online content creator, and yes I’m a sufferer of ‘shoulda thought about that before’ syndrome when a comeback comes to mind later.
But sometimes people need to be told they're not going to belittle your creative work.
So I’m writing my ideal/hypothetical responses here and maybe they’ll help another blogger/creative when people don’t put respect on your name.
Enjoy.
P: Ashton Boni. MUA: Terry Maher.
I don't understand why you studied architecture if you wanted to do marketing.
And I don't understand why you have trouble understanding the difference between writing about opinions and experiences and marketing. I cannot sit here and teach you these things without charging tuition. Bye, Susan.
(From the same person): Who even has a blog these days anymore? That was a thing when I was 12.
I like to write, so I do. I can make people laugh and think differently, so I do. I experience unique and interesting things in my life and meet great people through modeling and traveling. That's who has a blog these days. Be blessed.
Clearly you really enjoy it and I know you can make beer money from it or whatever... (I didn't even hear the rest nor do I remember what I actually said because I tuned out in a rage stroke. The disrespaaaaact!)
F*ck you, first of all. I do enough to have a place to sleep, food to eat, work I'm proud of, stamps in my passport and wisdom from the most fantastic people I encounter through my lifestyle. And all the free beer I want cuz I'm a hot girl. So you can worry about yourself and your own progressing beer belly. Bye, Richard.
The ground is strangers' pretend-concern about my career choices. P: Stephen Pilbrough.
It's good you're still open to working in architecture, because your little pictures are not a real job. If you have a big professional camera, maybe then you can talk about pictures.
Another person I'll need to charge tuition for explaining the difference between a travel writer who takes photos to complement her piees and a photographer. Never have I claimed the latter in my whole life. Good grief.
P.s. If you knew anything about composition, lighting, aperture and all the other several aspects of photography, then you could talk to me about pictures because a big camera does not a good photo make.
(From the same person, in response to my showing him photos I took at a fashion event where I was accredited media):
Why you always showing me this sh*t?
Until today I don't even know with this one. Any suggestions?
All I have is; don't come at me because you're bitter that your salsa dance teacher/semi-professional boxer dreams didn't end up where you wanted them when you were young. I'm going to get back to the work that I love and you can sit here reading about me on Oprah.com. I'll pray for you, Francis.
I think I nailed that one.
You mad? That's a glass of your tears I'm drinking from.
Whew! It's a jungle out there, creative folk. Put your head down and work, but most importantly don't shy away from clapping back at blatant disrespect for pursuing the things you want to do and are good at.
If you agree and/or need a place to vent hit me on my socials:
twitter // Facebook // instagram // newsletter
Be cool!
J.
xx