Well, geez, I had intended to take a "vacation" from AA for awhile to cool off, but I can't resist chiming in. I was watching some other YouTubes about how to grow a viewership and what not, and one guy went on for quite some time about "haters." I only half-listened to that part, because I couldn't imagine anyone like that latching on to Matt Chats, but apparently I was wrong. There are people out there who are either deranged or perhaps feel they have a legitimate bone to pick with you, and they will do their best to bait and harass you (I've seen a bit of this on some of my favorite YouTube shows; people do all sorts of things to try to discredit you or injure your reputation).
To me, it makes no sense--I mean, if you don't like a video, why not just go away? Who is forcing you to watch it? But these people's minds don't work that way. They take it personal. It's as if by making a video about some game, you've come into their home and insulted them to their face, and they mean to make you pay. It's not normal or rational, but by God they're out there, and they have big mouths.
From what I've read, the best thing to do is just try to ignore them the best you can, mitigating their damage and depriving them of the one thing that keeps them coming back: attention. Don't respond, don't reply, don't act upset, just delete/block/ignore as long as they stay within the rules or law. Of course, once they step beyond that, it's time to call in the admins or, in extreme cases, the authorities.
It's doubly painful for somebody like me who loves feedback and always wants to learn how to improve or take things to the next level. So I'm usually wide open to attacks from these people, taking it full on the chin. Still, I'd rather take a few blows for the team than get arrogant and start assuming that I'm always right and everybody else is wrong. It's just life. But man, does it ever suck to be hated on for this stuff...
On the other hand, it makes you appreciate the good folks who come out and get your back in these situations!!!
Well, geez, I had intended to take a "vacation" from AA for awhile to cool off, but I can't resist chiming in. I was watching some other YouTubes about how to grow a viewership and what not, and one guy went on for quite some time about "haters." I only half-listened to that part, because I couldn't imagine anyone like that latching on to Matt Chats, but apparently I was wrong. There are people out there who are either deranged or perhaps feel they have a legitimate bone to pick with you, and they will do their best to bait and harass you (I've seen a bit of this on some of my favorite YouTube shows; people do all sorts of things to try to discredit you or injure your reputation).
To me, it makes no sense--I mean, if you don't like a video, why not just go away? Who is forcing you to watch it? But these people's minds don't work that way. They take it personal. It's as if by making a video about some game, you've come into their home and insulted them to their face, and they mean to make you pay. It's not normal or rational, but by God they're out there, and they have big mouths.
From what I've read, the best thing to do is just try to ignore them the best you can, mitigating their damage and depriving them of the one thing that keeps them coming back: attention. Don't respond, don't reply, don't act upset, just delete/block/ignore as long as they stay within the rules or law. Of course, once they step beyond that, it's time to call in the admins or, in extreme cases, the authorities.
It's doubly painful for somebody like me who loves feedback and always wants to learn how to improve or take things to the next level. So I'm usually wide open to attacks from these people, taking it full on the chin. Still, I'd rather take a few blows for the team than get arrogant and start assuming that I'm always right and everybody else is wrong. It's just life. But man, does it ever suck to be hated on for this stuff...
On the other hand, it makes you appreciate the good folks who come out and get your back in these situations!!!
Matt Barton, Managing Editor
Location: St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA
Email: matt@armchairarcade.com