Internet Writing and Thick Skin

If you’re reading this website, chances are that you doing online freelance writing, at least as part of your writing work. It’s hard to survive as a freelancer working in only print media, at least until you have some success in book publishing. As a freelance writer, you may do ghostwriting most of the time, but whether your name is attached to it or not, you probably take a sense of ownership in the writing.

How thick is your skin? Image: sxc.hu

And when someone bashes that writing, it is easy to feel upset about yourself or consider new professions.

The Internet is not a kind place. If you get a fact wrong or even spell something wrong, they’ll tell you about it quickly, and usually not in a nice manner. If you insert your opinion, there will always be someone calling you stupid. Even if you just report a basic news story or write a purely informational article, chances are that eventually, someone will comment on the piece or email you with a criticism.

If you want to be an online writer, you have to have thick skin. Here are some tips that have helped me:

• Read the good comments along with the bad. We all have a tendency to dwell on the negative, but chances are the people are saying positive things about your writing as well.
• Don’t reply to negativity right away. Your hurt feelings may make you say something mean-spirited, and starting a battle isn’t good for you or your reputation. Before replying, especially defending yourself in any way, give yourself at least an hour or so to think about it.
• Don’t take things personally. When someone corrects you, they’re just trying to help other readers, and even if they’re mean, they don’t hate you as a writer. People tend to use the blanket cover of the Internet to remain anonymous, and they think that gives them free reign to say anything they want to say.
• Correct mistakes quickly and learn for the future.

My number one piece of advice, though? Don’t quit! Although some people may not like your writing style or your opinion, others do/will. Don’t let a few Internet readers get you down.