How to Accept and Deal with Harsh Feedback as a Content Creator

Feedback to content creators is like a double-edged sword. It helps us grow and improve on one end, and on the other, the harsh ones can hurt like a soccer ball slammed into my face (true story). I know this from personal experience. Recently, I received what I thought was constructive criticism on one of my YouTube videos. The comment pointed out areas I could improve, which was fair, but it ended with, “Clear case of someone to avoid following if they cannot give clear information.” Talk about going for the jugular when I'm still trying to grow my channel!

Still, I need to stand by what I believe. I always ask for feedback, so I need to graciously accept it even though it's painful. I thanked them for the feedback and made the necessary changes. It wasn’t easy, but I’ve learnt to look at feedback, even harsh ones, as a necessary part of growth. If you’ve ever struggled to handle criticism, especially when it’s delivered in such a harsh way, I hope this article can offer some "pain relief." Let’s explore why feedback is important, how to evaluate it, and how to keep our emotions in check.

Why Feedback is Useful

First, let’s get one thing straight: feedback is gold…Okay, maybe not all, but they're valuable. Here’s why:

• It uncovers blind spots: As creators, we can get so close to our work that we miss the obvious flaws. Feedback helps us see what we might overlook.

• Audience Connection: Feedback tells us what our audience values. You can still create content without ever finding out what your audience needs. Sometimes you strike gold, especially when you have just the right personality that people can relate to. Not all of us are like that. We do need to at least have some rough ideas of what our audience wants to hear or see, so feedback helps.

• It Builds Resilience: If you can take criticism without throwing your laptop out the window (please don't), you’re on your way to being a stronger, more professional creator.

As a design thinking practitioner, I’m trained to validate my work with others. It’s part of the process that involves getting input, iterating, and improving. But I can vouch that no amount of training can fully prepare you for feedback that feels like a slap in the face. Some people deal with it better, and others… like me, will probably sit in the corner and sulk for a bit before we can pick ourselves up again.

How to Evaluate Feedback Effectively

Not all feedback is created equal. Some are gems; others are just noise and crap, especially coming from trolls and haters. Here’s how you can separate the useful comments from the ones you should toss out like yesterday’s leftovers:

• Focus on the Message, Not the Tone: I studied MBTI, so I learned that feedback coming from the Thinking type can feel like a slap as it's wrapped in sharp words. They don't intentionally try to hurt our feelings, but it's just the way they communicate. Focus on the core message that's valuable. With my YouTube comment, I had to mentally peel away the harsh tone to get to the constructive part, and it helped me improve my content.

• Look for Patterns: If multiple people mention the same issue, pay attention. One person might be having a bad day, but recurring feedback usually points to something that needs fixing.

• Ask for Clarity: If the feedback is unclear, don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions. Most people appreciate when you genuinely want to improve.

• Check for Relevance: Consider whether the feedback aligns with your goals and audience. Some comments may simply reflect personal preferences that don’t apply to your broader vision.

Navigating the Emotional Side of Feedback

Now, I know it's not easy to do this when you feel the stings, but here are some ways to handle it without losing sleep (or your cool):

• Acknowledge Your Feelings: It’s okay to feel hurt. Give yourself a moment to process your emotions before reacting. For me, it usually involves pacing around the room and muttering things like, “Seriously? ONE mistake, and I’m unworthy?” or sometimes I just grab my Schnauzer and hug him for comfort. Do what feels right for you, but don't be a keyboard warrior and start writing things you'll regret later on. You may be able to delete your harsh replies, but one screenshot of your retaliation and you're done for.

• Reframe Your Perspective: Instead of seeing criticism as a personal attack, view it as a tool for growth. Yes, even the harshest feedback can be helpful if you’re willing to dig for the lesson.

• Focus on Your Wins: Remember, one negative comment doesn’t erase all your positive achievements. For every harsh critic, there are likely ten silent viewers who appreciate your work. I've seen how some YouTubers receive nasty feedback, and the responses come from their other viewers, who defend their work. There are really good people out there who truly want to support you. Believe in that.

• Practice Empathy: Sometimes harsh feedback comes from a place of frustration or misunderstanding. Try to understand where the person is coming from without taking it personally.

Practical Tips for Handling Feedback Gracefully

Once you're done punching the walls (I would recommend sandbags as they're friendlier to your fists), let's see what you can do with the feedback.

• Respond Calmly: Thank the person for their input, even if it’s delivered poorly. A simple, “Thank you for your feedback. I’ll work on improving this,” goes a long way.
• Make Amends: If the feedback highlights a genuine mistake, fix it and let your audience know you’ve made improvements. This shows professionalism and humility.
• Create a Feedback Process: Use tools like polls or surveys to validate your work, especially when it involves a huge amount of effort and time. This can save you from big headaches later.
• Just Ignore Them: Know when to engage and when to let go. Some comments are best left unanswered, especially if they’re purely negative without offering value.

Feedback is part of the journey as a content creator. Remember, it’s not about being perfect; it’s about being open to improvement. So, the next time someone critiques your work, take a deep breath, focus on the constructive part, and keep creating. After all, one mistake doesn’t define you, but how you respond to it does.