How to Handle Your First Negative Podcast Review

So you got your first negative review.

First of all, I’m sorry. That really fucking blows.

Us humans are hardwired to hiss at rejection like a feral cat, so feeling upset, angry, offended, or hurt are all 100% valid feelings, especially when you’ve worked so hard on your podcast.

Take a deep breath.

Feel your feelings. Vent to a friend. Lie down on a cold tile floor and turn off the lights while listening to your favorite Taylor Swift album. (That last one always does it for me!)

Do whatever you need to do to go through the full emotion cycle and come out the other side a bit more clearheaded.

Some Truths to Hold Onto

While you’re in the thick of it, here are some truths to remember, and I’ve phrased them in first person so you can say them like mantras:

A negative review doesn’t mean my podcast sucks (or that I suck as a podcaster.)

Every creator faces this moment, no matter how good they are.

I’m not alone in this feeling or experience.

A negative review means my podcast is out in the world, and I’m growing my audience beyond my family and friends.

This is actually growing pains, which means… congratulations! You’ve made it!

What to Do Once You’re Feeling Better

Once you’ve processed the initial sting, here’s how to move forward:

Step 1: Evaluate the Review

Is it a troll? An angry ex? Or someone leaving actual feedback you could use to improve your show?

Troll reviews look like:

• “this is the dumbest show ever”
• “i hate her voice”
• “boooooring”

Constructive criticism sounds like:

• “The audio quality of this podcast makes it impossible to listen to.”
• “The host is always interrupting guests.”
• “The episodes are too long.”

Sure, these comments are kinda mean, but they might be pointing to something that could actually improve your podcast, especially if multiple listeners are saying the same thing.

PS: If the negative review is complaining about something your ideal listener loves (like “the host can’t go 3 minutes without dropping an f-bomb”), I say, fuck ’em!

Step 2: Decide Whether to Respond

If multiple listeners offered constructive criticism that you believe is valid and warrants a response, consider addressing it.

You could bring it up in your next episode. The hosts of My Favorite Murder have a “Corrections Corner” segment where they address when they get a fact wrong or when listeners bring up valid points about the way they handled a certain topic.

As a listener, hearing them be so transparent and real has turned me into an even stronger fan.

If you choose to address criticism publicly, follow basic guidelines of human decency:

• Own it
• Don’t get defensive
• State what you’ll do differently next time
• Actually do it

Most of your listeners will respond with grace when you handle things this way.

I’ve also seen people do clap backs with trolls, but this is done at the risk of encouraging them further. Maybe the best course of action with trolls is to ignore them and move to the next step.

Step 3: Rally Your Community

If you’ve been building a community of fans, a negative review might be just the thing that gets them to write you a positive review.

People defend what they love. If you let your audience know you received a harsh review (especially if it’s from a troll) and ask them to leave you a 5-star review if they enjoy the podcast, some of them definitely will.

But of course, tread carefully and use your judgment. If the negative review was fair, maybe don’t mention it in your request.

Negative Reviews Suck, But…

Think of them as a milestone. They mean you’re putting yourself out there, reaching beyond your immediate circle, and making an impact. Not everyone will love what you create, and that’s not just okay, it’s a sign you’re doing something right by having an actual point of view!

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Thanks for reading! 🥂