Social Media Crisis Communications Plan 2022
How do you avoid getting swallowed up in a worldwide crisis?
A real-time crisis on social media?
So. When. YES, WHEN!
WHEN the next God or manmade crisis hits social media…and it will hit…today, tomorrow, next week or next month.
Do you want your brand and business caught up in the middle of that whirlwind, hurricane, invasion or apocalypse?
Do you?
Nope. Nor do I. Good, then take the following action steps.
Crisis Avoided: A Social Media Disaster Plan
#BePrepared
A crisis is a time for action.
Hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes are a crisis because ‘acts of God’ and ‘acts of men’ are immediate news on Twitter.
If you don’t want your brand on the news, or on Twitter then, the best action during a crisis is to sit back and be quiet.
AND. JUST. LISTEN,👂
AND. JUST. LISTEN,👂
AND. JUST. LISTEN.👂
But, before you can AND. JUST. LISTEN. You must have a plan to avoid the Crisis.
Complete this Crisis Avoided Social Media Disaster Plan. So that you can then sit back:
#AndJustListen
Step 1) Plan – follow the boy scout motto and “expect the best, plan for the worst“
When the crisis happens turn off all social media:
- Inform
Your social / PR / Marketing / Customer Service team that you’ve reached DEFCON 1
- Monitor
Monitor your branded and trending hashtags to avoid getting caught in a PR disaster. Maybe set up Google Alerts Now! Ok? Done?
- Turn off
Turn off Scheduled webinars, live, posts and updates as the wrong image or word can be misconstrued and will be shared 1000’s times, irreversibly damaging your brand.
- Post a Sympathy Post
Post an “Our thought and prayers are with the families and friends affected by _____” also state “we will refrain from posting during this crisis in respect of the people affected“.
- Posting Moratorium
Don’t post for a set period e.g., 24-48 hours.
- The 1st post After Moratorium
Post an ‘our thoughts are with those injured and missing etc. Donate to charity here’ Then resume social posting.
Step 2) Download, Print, Collect and Secure Safely
Do you have all your usernames and passwords in one central location? No?
Now you will with this hand dandy 1 pager.
Step 3) Act
Turn off social updates; monitor branded hashtags, trending hashtags, your brand names etc.
AND. JUST. LISTEN.
AND. JUST. LISTEN. AND. JUST. LISTEN.
Featured image by Brian McGowan
