For anyone managing a brand’s social media presence, being in tune with news and events can stop your messaging from being completely innocent to unintentionally offensive.
But what about world events that everyone is talking about? The recent passing of the Queen of England has sparked a whirlwind of posts honoring her, criticizing her, and everything in between. While it doesn’t make sense for many brands to speak on the matter, many have chosen to pause their content for the sake of news saturation.
Here are key tips to keep in mind for your brand’s social media use during tragedies and otherwise:
- Dance as if the world is watching. No matter the actual size of your company, anything your brand does can get noticed.
- Lead with empathy. You never know who may be affected by an event. See your audience as people first before customers or clients.
- Follow the 80/20 rule. 80% of your content should be helpful, informative, or educational. 20% should inform your audience about brand awareness like what you stand for, how you can help them, why you exist, etc.
- Use your social channels for good. Share helpful resources and inspiring stories when you can. When it’s genuine, express what your brand stands for (but again, only when it’s genuine).
- Beware of “set and forget” marketing. Scheduled posts and marketing automation can be a lifesaver. But your content can be at risk of being inappropriate. Have a strong process in place if you need to pivot or pause.
In The Daily Carnage Facebook Group, there are often posts reminding SMMs to pause social because of a tragedy or political event to avoid any accidental tone-deafness.
How do you respond in times of crisis? Sometimes saying nothing says more than saying something for social values. Regardless, unless your brand has a direct tie to an event, it should avoid placing any unwarranted input into a discussion. But what about personal branding (a.k.a., yourself)?
Check out the full post at the Social Media Butterfly blog for more tips and action items you can use for your personal LinkedIn management.
