Turning Negativity into Positivity

Why Persistency is KEY as a Painter/Decorator on Social Media

Running a business as a decorator comes with its fair share of challenges. From difficult customers to negative comments on social media, to a lack of visible success on social media, it’s easy to feel discouraged.

But here’s the truth: how you handle negativity can make or break your business.

Every successful business owner, entrepreneur and tradesperson has faced setbacks. The difference between those who thrive and those who give up? Persistence.

Let’s break down how to turn negativity into motivation, handle online criticism and keep going even when it feels like no one is paying attention.

Dealing with negative comments

We’re already all aware, the internet isn’t always a positive and happy place. If you’re consistently putting posts out – you will probably receive negative comments at some point. Whether a customer who wasn’t 100% happy or just an internet troll, how you respond matters.

1. Know the difference between a critic and a troll – Trolls want a reaction. Stay professional, calm and brief.
2. Respond quickly to genuine criticism – Aim to reply quickly (within 24 hours), but take a moment to ensure the response is calm and considered.

3. Move the conversation privately – If a genuine criticism or complaint from a customer, invite them politely to get in touch via email or message. This ensures you can address the issue directly and constructively.

4.  Hide, block or report when necessary – Social media platforms give you tools to remain in control of your comment section. If someone is not engaging fairly or appropriately, simply do not engage and remove their comment. Remember, this is your page, not theirs.

Social media success doesn’t happen overnight

If you’ve been posting regularly on social media and not seeing instant results, you’re not alone. Growing an audience takes time.

Success on social media isn’t about overnight virality (although exciting of course!) – it’s about showing up consistently so people remember you and trust you when they need your services.

• Stick to a posting schedule (3-5 times per week)
• Focus on quality over quality
• Engage with your audience – reply to comments and any direct messages you receive

Trust in your skill and passion

Every top business owner, entrepreneur and tradesperson has faced setbacks. The best ones saw these setbacks – and kept going.

Steve Jobs was fired from his own company before returning and making Apple a global success.

Walt Disney was told that he “lacked imagination” before creating the bigger entertainment brand in the world.

Jess Bezos had multiple failed businesses before launching Amazon.

What do they all have in common? They didn’t let negativity stop them. When things go wrong, see them as a lesson, not as a reason to quit. Keep improving your craft, your marketing and your customer service.

Why you should keep posting

One of the biggest reasons people stop posting on social media is because they think no one is watching. But guess what? They are.

Over 70% of social media users scroll without engaging. That means people see your posts but don’t always like or comment. But when they’re in need of a decorator – they might remember “that one post they saw that time”.

Final thoughts

No business is an overnight success. No decorator or tradesperson has built a thriving company without persistence.

When things feel slow, when engagement is low, when you get a negative comment – remember this happens to everyone and is part of modern marketing.

Focus on turning up regularly on socials, adding value to potential customers and making small steps towards your goals. You don’t need to go viral — you just need to keep showing up with purpose and passion. Over time, that’s what builds trust, wins customers and grows your business.