Trolls Behind The Keyboard
In this business, courage doesn’t come from hiding behind a screen. It comes from putting your voice out there – raw, real, and ready to be judged. But some folks mistake cruelty for critique. They’re everywhere and it’s not exclusive to voice over. In this business, we call them: VO trolls. They sit behind their keyboards, tossing stones at the people who dare to create. They call it “feedback.” I call it fear.
Because here’s the truth: Trolls don’t attack because they hear weakness in your read. They attack because they hear something they wish they had. Notably, those trolls, thrive on targeting those who put themselves out there.
Confidence. Authenticity. Momentum. A voice that cuts through the noise. So remember, part of the confidence you build is knowing how to deal with voiceover trolls if they show up.
The Psychology of the Online Heckler
Every voice actor knows the sting of unsolicited opinions, the ones that don’t build, only bruise. But those comments aren’t about your performance. They’re about the person typing them.
A troll’s insult is a confession. It says, “I’m not brave enough to put myself out there.” It says, “Your courage reminds me of my own silence.” They’re like the two old guys from The Muppet Show. You know, the ones in the balcony seats that seemed to hate and make fun of everything? Now you get it. They were trolls in their own right.
They’re not critics. They’re spectators who can’t stand the sound of someone else taking the mic, and frequently that’s the pattern for voiceover trolls online.
And here’s the reminder every beginner and every pro needs to hear and remember: Those trolls aren’t your audience. They’re not your clients. Nor are they the people you’re marketing to, or the people trying to book you. They’re just…trolls. And trolls don’t pay your invoices so you in turn, can pay your bills. In fact, when it comes to performers, voiceover trolls want attention, not artistry.
The Difference Between Creating and Criticizing
Anyone can tear down a take. It takes zero talent to sneer at a demo or mock a post about your latest booking. But to build something, a brand, a reel, a reputation; that takes guts. It takes rejection. It takes the willingness to be seen and heard. And that’s what trolls can’t stand. They don’t hate your voice. They hate your visibility. In conclusion, steer clear of the negativity spread by voiceover trolls and don’t let them define the value of your creative journey.
Why Their Words Don’t Deserve Your Volume
Here’s the thing: Nobody heckles the person sitting quietly in the back row. They heckle the one on stage. If someone’s throwing shade at your work, it just means you’re standing somewhere worth aiming at. It means you’re visible. It means you’re doing something that matters enough to stir the insecure. So don’t hand your confidence to someone who hasn’t earned it. Don’t let a stranger’s bitterness drown out your sound. As you rise above, remember the only power that trolls have is the one you give them. Don’t let their noise dictate your tone.
A Challenge for the Creators
If you’re a voice actor putting your work out there, you need to keep going. Keep auditioning. And keep posting. Keep sharing your wins and your lessons. The world has enough cynics. Enough people who think tearing down others makes them relevant. Be the one who builds. The one who encourages. Be the one who keeps showing up, mic in hand, even when the cheap‑shot crowd tries to pull you down to their level. Rise above the negativity that trolls attempt to spread in most all creative spaces.
And if the trolls come for you?
Smile. Because it means your voice is being heard.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
WHY PEOPLE TROLL
WHAT IS CYBER-BULLYING
HOW TO DEAL WITH TROLLS
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