I Got Trolled by Angry Electricians on Facebook
Imagine completing the project that you didn’t think you had the aptitude to do, but you learned (with the right mentor to help), grew your skills, and accomplished it.
The pride that swells through you is palpable and you can’t wait to share with your friends and family the work that you successfully completed but didn’t think you could do.
So you post it on Facebook, explaining what you learned and how you did your project, giving people a sneak peak of when the project was partially complete.
That’s what I did a couple weeks ago when I shared a few quick 30-second clips showing my Facebook community a series of Reels to explain what work has already been done and how to understand the basics of electrical wiring 101.
After all, I took two electrical wiring classes at my community college for my Carpentry program, so I wasn’t a complete novice. I understood the concepts that my instructor taught. And this project was finally an opportunity to put to use that which I had learned in the course.
In fact, I hired my electrical wiring instructor to oversee my work, and he would do the connections to the sub panel.
You see, when COVID hit in March 2020, our Residential Wiring class was cut short. We were in the midst of learning how to run wiring in a “tiny house” in the lab of the electrical department. After running a few wires, classes were moved online and the learning stopped.
So when my 16′ x 26′ shed was built earlier this year, I didn’t feel I had the skills to do any of the wiring. That is, until my instructor agreed to provide some “professional hand holding” and oversee my wiring in the interior. This was the perfect way to continue learning that which I didn’t get the opportunity to learn to in class!
It was the project of a lifetime and I couldn’t wait to get started, with his help!
Halfway through the project, I shared with my Facebook community some of the things I had learned along the way.
I shared the difference between the colors of the wiring I used.
I shared how I was instructed to wire the receptacles (also known as the outlets).
I showed how the feeder wires running from the house in a 24″ trench will be connected to my shed and buried.
It was pretty exciting to be able to explain what I had learned and to show the progress.
Yet, that’s when the backlash started unexpectedly.
Imagine having strangers (AKA internet electricians) watch a single 30 second clip of your project, without any knowledge of its scope, and fire off comments to you like:
“You should just STOP making videos. You don’t know what you’re doing.”
“You have so many code violations.”
“Just wait until you get sued when someone burns their house down.”
“You should just post a potato salad recipe.”
“You’re going to burn your shed down like Cheryl.” (Now that one was pretty funny…. )
These trolls insisted that I am not qualified to teach people online, that everything I did was wrong, that the feeder wires from the house to the shed must be placed in conduit in the trench no matter what (despite the fact that the National Electrical Code 300.7 advises that wires can be direct buried at 24″ inches, as was my trench).
They provided all kinds of advice that wasn’t relevant to my project, some of which was in direct contradiction to what my electrical instructor provided.
As if I should believe an internet electrician who saw a 30-second random clip of my project versus my electrical instructor who I discussed, at length, the scope and nature of my project.
(Not to mention that local jurisdictions can have differences in requirements; these men had no idea where I lived or in what county).
My first reaction was to clap back, to explain myself once the angry electricians started blowing up my direct messaging with insults and insisting I should have “hired a professional” without even asking if I did hire a professional.
I even tried turned off commenting on the clips because the responses were plentiful and overwhelming.
It felt like a disturbing mental blow, like my character was being attacked (I was told I only posted the videos for likes; and if you know Thrift Diving, you know I do nothing simply for “likes.”). I was even accused of lying about the rough electrical passing inspection.
It felt like my electrician’s reputation and experience was being slandered.
It felt like the inspector who came and approved the rough electrical was being thrown under the bus.
They commented on things like the framing of my shed; I was told it “looks like sh*t” as a way to insult me, since he assumed I built it.
I was made the butt of their jokes for the fact that I called my shed a “shop” because according to one guy’s opinion, a “real shop has concrete floors. You just have a big shed.”
I was even told that I made a mistake putting up recessed (potlights) lights, as if making such a choice was egregious and a huge design flaw on my part (I was well aware of the reason for my decision).
The mansplaining was insane.
I tell you all this for one reason: be kind.
There is a difference between making genuine comments or criticisms online to help someone grow or to consider new ideas versus cutting someone down in an attempt to denigrate their work, their project, or their integrity.
I appreciate the electricians who messaged me and asked questions about my project so that they could make a fair assessment of the project and to offer (what they thought) were helpful suggestions. Those discussions may have earned me some new friends and contacts to bounce ideas off of! 🙂
If you’re someone who finds themselves telling someone online that their projects are “ugly” or that they “did it wrong” without offering any reference to what you think they did wrong, etc., then re-think how to handle yourself online.
And if you see someone bashing someone unfairly online, stand up for that person. I appreciated the few men who stood in my defense and acknowledged the cleanliness of my wiring, and that everything looked to be per code.
Be the person who supports and encourages instead of attacking.
The Perfect Revenge
I have to tell you the there is a happy ending to this story. Not just the fact I now have lights and electricity in my shed (yay!). (Oh, and I’ll be posting the other electrical wiring video to my channel soon. In the meantime you can watch this one).
We bloggers and “influencers” (as we are known) have lots of opportunities with brands and companies that like to compensate us for our content that we create. I am a part of a Facebook “bonus” program that aims to help Facebook grow their Reels. As part of this program (which ends at the end of January), Facebook compensates me for each view that I receive on my Facebook Reels.
Well, because the electricians are going crazy with the insults and shares on my Reels, I decided to join that bonus program to monetize those video clips with my participation in the bonus program. 🙂
And because of all the frenzy, I’ve earned a whopping $974 over the past 2 days simply from the “viral-ness” of my videos. HA!
Some of those men called me stupid. One even called me a “moron.”
Who’s the moron now? I just figured out how to make a profit off of mansplaining. 😉
Happy New Year!
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Serena,
These trolls are obviously unhappy people who have nothing better to do with their time. If they were true professionals they’d be much too busy to troll in the first place.
Keep being you and just let their stupidity roll off your back like water off a duck 🦆
You’re an amazingly talented woman!
That’s what I think, Joanne! People who are happy in their life and are good, upstanding people, wouldn’t go online to call other people names or to tear them down. They would lift them up, offer their professional opinion, or ask questions to understand the project better before deciding if something it right or wrong. Thank you for the support!! 🙂
The perfect revenge INDEED! While I was reading this post completely flabbergasted (and then angry) the whole time I was hoping something good would come out of this. Well this was PER-FECT! 👌🏾 While the last thing I want is for your brand besmirched by…(trying to “be kind” when it isn’t deserved is challenging) “electricians” (loose term) I am happy to see that you benefited, greatly, from that…(be kind be kind be kind) “incident”.
You are an influencer and for some, who may not be secure or ethical in their profession, could see you and your content as a threat.
I know reading this blog post is helping me to solidify the serious thoughts that I’ve been having about finding classes or a school to train & get certified as a plumber &/or electrician to either do the small job, correctly, myself, or to know the difference between real jargon & the BS when hiring a contractor.
Thanks so much for sharing what you learn. It’s invaluable.
Oooh, you should TOTALLY take classes, Nasi! I fully support homeowners taking classes to understand the jargon, learn to do some of the work yourself, and just have an air of confidence when talking to contractors so that they know you’re not a target. LOL at your reminders “be kind, be kind, be kind.” LOL. We all need those reminders sometimes! 🙂 Thank you for the support, and let me know how it goes with finding and taking some classes!
Serena, even though I will probably never do any of the wonderful things you show us I still enjoy your videos immensely. You have a very soothing voice and presence so don’t let those ignorant louts get you down. There are many more of us who like what you do than the trolls.
keep on rocking!
Marilyn in Australia.
Awww, thank you, Marilyn! This means so much to hear! I have never really thought of my voice being soothing, but it’s a pleasant surprise to hear that it is! That puts a new spin on how I view myself and my content. It makes people feel comforted and they enjoy it. That means a lot. Thank you!!!
Thumbs up for all you do. Watching you explain (is it womansplain?) what you are doing so that one who may not be conversant with DYI and construction terms understands what and why you are doing what you are doing. Your explanation about the need for a shop/shed because things were so tight in your garage made perfect sense. My husband is a woodworker/craftsman and had a small, basement shop in our other home. When we moved onto land to build our home, one stipulation was a large shop for him, especially since a special gift he had made for a close relative had to be partially dismantled; the doors from the basement removed; the railing for the stairs removed; and four people manipulating a beautiful oak cabinet up stairs and around corners at the other house.
I’m sure your husband LOVED getting a larger work space, Heather! I love the idea of building a house from scratch and being able to decide everything that you want to make the space truly yours. The idea of having to dismantle something just to get it out of your basement of your old home, I can relate! When I built my closet organizer, I had to built it in sections because there was no space to build the entire thing in the garage *OR* in the small closet. LOL. It’s nice having space to spread out. Thank you for the feedback on understanding how I do my videos and trying to explain things in a way that all can understand. 🙂
Serena,
I’m so sorry for you having to endure being trolled by assh&*@#s! There are people in this world who have serious problems and there’s just nothing you or anyone can do about it. So with that being said, you had me ROFLMAO when you turned those idiotic comments into an opportunity and profited off it. YOU GO GURL!!!! You unwittingly turned controversy into profits. GOD BLESS!!!
You should know, I don’t have thick skin. I use to chase my tail trying to please people and live up to the standards they feel I should live up to. But with age comes wisdom and I’m at an age where I’ve learned a few things and one of them is; the best response is no response. But when I just can’t let something go, I respond with my version of a quote from Mark Twain stating; “I never argue with a fool because you will only wear me down and beat me with your experience.” It makes them shut the f*&K up every time!
Serena, I absolutely adore you! You’re an inspiration and a delight! Don’t waste your time with people who are obviously stupid idiots and jealous. You know your value. You’re passionate and you want to share your love of DIY with others. Keep doing what your doing the way your doing it and let all the negative trolls seethe with envy.
Oooh, Karen, that is an AWESOME quote!! Girl, I am writing that down and committing it to memory! “I never argue with a fool because you will only wear me down and beat me with your experience.” Yessss! And OMG, I have made just over $3,000 now because of those video clips that went semi-viral! LOL. One of the clips I had deleted early on, before monetizing it, and I regret doing that because I’m sure it would have been $4,000 by now. HA! I just read their comments, comment back with facts, and then keep it moving. I don’t have time anymore to go back and forth with them! Thank you so much for the great comment and for your support! You totally “get” me and my drive to share what I learn and do. Thanks for following along on this journey!
I’m sorry to hear about the trolling situation. People can be so mean and ridiculous + so quick to be critical when they don’t even have all the details. I remember you sharing that you consulted with an electrical expert/professional (if I recall correctly your teacher) who was going to help oversee the electrical work you were doing. You should be proud of what you have accomplished with the shed it looks awesome. Congrats on finishing such a challenging project!
Thank you, Latoya! Yes, I totally consulted with my instructor from my electrical wiring class, who did the exterior work and connections. I trust everything he has told me, so that’s what I go by. 🙂 I’m working on the insulation now! Should be done that soon and able to post it! 🙂 Thanks for following along!
SERENA I am sorry to hear how the trolls have been to you but I have learned so much from you and I have been following you from the beginning of your you tube journey.I can tell you for a fact the people leaving mean comments are mad because the cannot swindle people with high prices and shoddy work because we have a resource to know exactly how a job should be done. And the advise is coming from a smart women who know how to do it keep up the good work
Thank you, Barbara! So happy to hear you’ve been here from the beginning. WOW, I appreciate that so much! No one online from these guys can take away the experience I was able to have learning more about electrical work and finally putting to use the things that my instructor had taught me in class. It was so important and I am thankful for that opportunity! 🙂 Thank you for the support and for sticking around so long. That means a lot to me!
When it comes to social media, you will explain yourself until you go blue. Try teaching adults to be nice. It’s like hitting a brick wall. Your videos are more of an inspiration for me and learning from your approaches / lessons. Not necessarily a lecture. You are doing well. Don’t be derailed and discouraged by their jealousy.
Amen and well said!
Thank you, Avril! You are exactly right–I don’t come from a place to lecture as if I am the almighty chosen one on a topic! LOL. That’s the way these guys were approaching me. But they don’t know me, or my content, or my passion, or my journey. Thank you for the support!!
Way to go girl! Keep making videos and blog posts!
Thank you, Deb!
Way to go! The world is filled with unkind people. But better yet, I believe there are more kind persons than the rude ones. Way to step back and think first and even profit over it! I love ur posts u share. Keep up the good work. We females can learn skills and use them.
Ignore the angry men. Focus on us females that are ready to learn!
LuAnne
PS: Why are there only tool sales on Father’s Day? I always ask for a new tool on Mother’s day!
OMG, so true, Luanne! The jewelry, perfume, and makeup go on sale for Mother’s Day, but never tools. We are a sexist-driven society, for sure! And I agree with you: there are more kind people than unkind. It’s just that the unkind like to be the loudest, but for sure, they are the minority. I am so thankful for the heart-felt comments people usually leave on my content. Those are much more meaningful! 🙂