How to put yourself out there, when fear of the trolls holds you back

A lot of us don't like to admit this, even to ourselves. But in today's digital landscape, putting yourself and your work out there is crucial for creative professionals.

It doesn't matter how talented you are; people aren't going to find out unless you show them. So whether you're an illustrator sharing your latest artwork on Instagram, a designer showcasing your portfolio on Behance, or a writer publishing your thoughts on a blog, visibility is key to success.

But there's a problem. The fear of negative feedback, trolls, and criticism can often hold us back from sharing our work and ourselves online. And this fear is not unfounded.

The internet can be a brutal place, full of people emboldened by the shield of anonymity, ready to unleash their negativity at a moment's notice.

Illustrator Katie Chappell offers a depressing example. "On a video I made about 100 days of drawing, someone commented, 'Why not try 100 days at the gym?'," she recalls. "YouTube can be brutal."

Such experiences can be disheartening and make us question whether putting ourselves out there is worth the potential pain. But ultimately, the benefits of sharing your work and building an online presence far outweigh the risks.

So, how do you find the courage to face your fears, develop resilience, and focus on the positive aspects of sharing your creativity with the world? In this article, we'll explore practical tips and strategies, along with some insights shared by the Creative Boom community on Threads and X.

1. Find the silver lining

While it's easy to get discouraged by negative comments, try to see the positive side of them. Although you might not believe it, that's possible even when the worst trolls strike.

As multidisciplinary designer Reggie Perry, Jr. points out, "If you're getting unsolicited negative feedback, you're doing something right. It can sting, but don't let it bring you down. Onward." Katie Chappell agrees. "My best advice is to laugh about it and give yourself a pat on the back," she says. "Any comments, even mean ones, are a sign that you actually shared something!"

Even dumb and malicious negative feedback is a sign of visibility, then. Meanwhile, other bad comments – even when they're expressed in an unpleasant manner – can sometimes contain a kernel of truth and an opportunity to improve.

Importantly, reframing personal attacks in this way strips the bullies' words of their power. Doing so will help you build a more resilient mindset over time.

2. Remember, it's all subjective

Of course, it's not just attacks from trolls that wound. Polite criticism of our work can feel just as bad, if not worse. So, how do you deal with it?

Well, for starters, it's crucial to remember that creative work is inherently subjective, and not everyone will appreciate or understand your vision.

After all, we don't all like the same type of music or TV shows. So you shouldn't expect absolutely everyone to love what you're creating, either. That doesn't mean you're not talented; it just means it's not for them.

Art director Craig Sanderson recalls: "I used to get wound up by negative comments, but then I realised that all creative work is subjective. Who are you talking to? Unless the target market was 'everyone', that work won't resonate with some people. And that's fine."

Rosie Greener, founder of Good Daze Jewellery, echoes this sentiment. "I always try to remind myself that everything is subjective; there truly is no right or wrong when it comes to creativity," she says. "Nothing is for everyone. If you have that mindset, it's easier to take things less personally and focus on those your work does resonate with."

By accepting this simple truth, you can focus on connecting with your target audience rather than trying to please everyone.

3. Focus on continuous improvement

Of course, logic is one thing; emotion is another. And it's an inescapable fact that a single negative comment about our work can have a devastating effect on us emotionally.

Depressingly, there's no level of success you can achieve that will prevent this. According to countless press interviews, even the world's biggest stars often get sucked into a downward spiral of obsessing over criticism. It's simply a part of being human.

So there's no way around it. You're going to get slagged off, and it will hurt and anger you. That's something you can't control.

But what you can control is what you do next.

It's perfectly natural to obsess over negative feedback and let it stew over time. But that's ultimately a waste of energy. Instead, you need to channel your energy into consistently improving your craft. This approach not only helps you grow as a creative professional but also builds confidence in your abilities.

In the words of motion designer Ryan Grandmaison: "Make it and put it out there. Do it a lot. Be so busy doing the next thing that you forget about the last. Anything that doesn't help make your next work better is just noise."

By maintaining a focus on improvement and progress, you'll find that the fear of criticism becomes less overwhelming. Each piece of work you share becomes a stepping stone in your journey rather than a definitive statement of your worth as a creative.

4. Develop a thick skin

While it's important to be open to constructive criticism, there will always be trolls and idiots reacting to your stuff. So, toughening yourself up is something you're going to have to do over time, like it or not.

As illustrator and designer Rich Banks says: "You need thick skin and be able to take criticism; otherwise, the creative industry isn't for you. People will never be kind or give you anything, so you must be honest with yourself and your work and always try to improve. Otherwise, any feedback will always hurt."

Of course, this doesn't mean becoming callous or dismissive. But it does mean developing the ability to distinguish between constructive criticism and baseless negativity. By building up this resilience, you'll be better equipped to handle the challenges of putting yourself out there.

As graphic designer Mike Sullivan notes: "People are very forgiving. We need to realise that. It's not as daunting as we're made to believe. We're professionals: embrace it."

5. Practise gradual exposure

If all of this feels overwhelming, a good strategy is to start small and gradually increase your exposure over time.

Illustrator Heather Zhou shares her personal approach. "I practise expressing myself better through small actions such as sharing daily on social media and supporting others to build a community. In this way, my attention is largely taken up by positive feedback and continuous self-improvement, and I gain greater resilience to handle rejections."

For those nervous about appearing on camera, glass artist Linda Rossiter offers some practical advice: "Write down the bullet points of what you want to say: not a whole sentence, just a reminder. Look for a few areas in your space where you could record. This might be at the doorway of your studio, sitting at your desk, standing with a piece of your artwork, or at your printer. Record one sentence at a time in each area."

By taking small, manageable steps, you can build confidence over time and gradually become more comfortable sharing your work and yourself online. For further tips, read our introvert's guide to creating video content.

6. Embrace the power of authenticity

Here's something super-important when putting yourself out there: don't pretend to be something you're not. People can smell BS a mile off and won't let you off lightly. So, instead, be genuine and true to yourself.

That might seem scary, but it's the best way to connect with your audience and build trust and credibility. Plus, it's a lot less tiring than putting on a facade! As artist Chris Cyprus advises: "Be as authentic as possible. It's easy to spot the ones who are faking it. Your true self will gain trust with your audience and customer base."

That doesn't mean you'll connect with everyone, of course. In fact, it's inevitable that when you put your stick in the sand, some people won't like it.

But over time, by embracing your unique voice and perspective, you'll attract an audience that appreciates you for who you are. And that will make it easier to brush off negative comments from those who don't align with your vision.

7. Use storytelling to connect

Following that last point, sharing the story behind your work and your creative process is a great way to build a deeper connection with your audience and provide context for your creations.

As artist Daniel Sroka puts it: "Learn how to write about your art. We like to think art can speak for itself, but it really can't. All art needs some context in order to be really appreciated. So, practice writing about your art: what you do, what you see, and what you feel while making it. The more you write about your art, the more comfortable you'll be talking about it, and the easier it will be to share it. And the more your audience will understand and appreciate it."

By sharing your journey, challenges and inspirations, you'll humanise your work and create opportunities for deeper engagement with your audience.

8. Embrace imperfection

The fear of putting work out there that isn't "perfect" can be paralysing. And again, it's a natural human trait that affects all of us. For instance, Leonardo da Vinci famously worked on the Mona Lisa for years and never considered it finished, constantly revisiting and refining it.

The irony is, though, that embracing imperfection and sharing your journey, including the stumbles, can be a powerful way to connect with an audience.

Connor O'Neill, creator of design resource Nollie Design. offers a real-world example. "I put my first video out a few days ago," she says. "It was pretty much: 'This video is terrible. It's intended to be terrible. It's only going to get better from here.' And honestly, that helped a lot. Everything I do now is better than that first video."

By accepting that not everything you share will be flawless, you'll give yourself the freedom to experiment, learn, and grow in the open. On the other hand, waiting until your work feels "perfect" only sets you up for frustration and missed opportunities.

9. Focus on positive outcomes

Instead of dwelling on potential negative outcomes, try to focus on the positive possibilities that come from sharing your work. That might sound a bit self help-y, but it really does work in practice.

That's what illustrator and artist Yusra Na'im has found, anyway. "My secret to pushing through fear is exposure therapy, backed with what I like to call 'positive delusion': prioritising best case scenarios," she explains. "This came about after I noticed how much power and validity I was giving to my negative 'what-ifs'. Now, instead of letting initial doubts set the tone, I challenge myself to consider and lead with the other extreme: 'What if this takes me to the next level?'"

Designer Brandon Moore puts it another way. "Instead of asking yourself 'What if it doesn't go well?' ask yourself 'what if it does?'," he explains. "You're sharing your work to make a living at this and get more work. Just keep that goal in mind. Don't feed the trolls."

By focusing on the potential positive outcomes – new opportunities, connections, and growth – you'll soon find the motivation to overcome your fears and put yourself out there.

10. Remember who pays the bills

Of course, no one is saying any of this is easy. As Boma Krijgsman, brand and talent manager at design agency JDO, notes: "Dealing with trolls and negative comments on social media can be daunting. But it's important to remember that these individuals are often driven by their own insecurities and have nothing better to do than spread negativity. They're just miserable people trying to make themselves feel better by putting others down. I always say that their opinions don't pay my bills!"

At the same time, remember that not all feedback is bad. "Constructive criticism can be valuable for growth," Boma adds. "If comments are constructive, consider them thoughtfully and use them to improve. If they're just negative or hurtful, try to let them slide off your back or just block and delete.

"Surround yourself with positive feedback and supportive communities and set clear boundaries for your social media use," she continues. "Decide which platforms and types of interactions you're comfortable with and stick to them. You can also use privacy settings and content filters to manage your experience, for example, turning off the ability for people to add comments. Although this does impact your engagement, which is one of the main things the algorithm loves if you're trying to grow your account."

Ultimately, though, developing a thick skin, taking breaks when needed, and understanding the nature of online behaviour can help you through all of this. "Engage positively, build a support network, and educate yourself to better manage your experience," says Boma. "If you stay true to yourself and focus on your goals, you should be able to navigate social media with confidence."