6 Tips for Using Social Media in a Crisis

Social media can be a blessing during this pandemic, but if handled improperly it can swiftly transform into a curse. People are turning to virtual platforms in droves for information, entertainment, and inspiration. You can promote your cause, candidacy, or organization through social media without coming across like an insensitive self-promoter. 

 

Keep Communicating with Your Audience

• Don’t go radio silent on your audience. They are following you for a reason, you have something to offer your followers. People are looking for answers, promote them. Promote links to government websites that contain a wealth of helpful information. Share snippets from your life if applicable. There are lots of ways to continue to communicate with your audience – just make sure that you are.

 

Don’t add to the panic

• Be informative and helpful, but don’t focus on the doom and gloom. Highlight positive stories if at all possible. I have seen several uplifting and tearjerker videos on Twitter and Facebook lately that highlight the actions of first responders or show families reunited after a loved one defeated the virus. These are examples of great content that doesn’t add to the panic, but rather shows the brighter side of humanity.

 

Build Connections and Community

• Many people are lonely and are looking to social media to fill the void of human interaction. Facebook groups are a major facet people are using more than before this virus. Interact with people on Facebook groups and similar platforms with either your personal page or your organization’s page as many groups now allow pages to become group members. 

 

Distraction

• Offer things to occupy people’s time as they will be online more often than usual and likely getting bored if they are stuck at home. Informative webinars, such as those we are hosting, are a great way to accomplish this. Also memes, polls, quizzes, anything that is interactive and intriguing will serve as a distraction people will seek out as an alternative to reading their aunt’s fiftieth post about the virus on Facebook.

 

Show Empathy

• Be authentic, show that you know and care about what is going on and the very real struggles many people are facing. Even if they do not know someone personally afflicted by the pandemic, there are business owners who are worried about their business failing from lack of customers, hourly wage earners worried about their next paycheck and parents who don’t know how to provide child care for their children when they have to go to work. Be empathetic to the real worries people have, rather than spinning the entire crisis as a joke. Some memes and jokes about the pandemic could easily be construed as insensitive and it is often difficult to read tone in a written message anyway, so why risk wrecking your platform’s brand over it?

 

Don’t Spread False Information

• Be careful that any news articles or statistics you share are factually accurate. Fact checking elements on social media platforms are more strict than usual right now in order to prevent the spread of fraudulent information. If the information you share is also published through other noteworthy and reputable sites, then it is likely credible. 

 

I hope these tips have been helpful! Remember social media can be a great tool to use during this crisis if it is handled with care. In general, if you’re unsure about whether or not to post something – don’t do it. Maintain your reputation or your organization’s by only publishing posts that follow these guidelines. 

For some examples of material we’ve been sharing, check out our social media profiles!