- March 22, 2020
- Posted by: Con P. Sweeney
- Category: Social Media
By now, many of us are “staying at home” or some similar euphemism as the COVID-19 pandemic grinds relentlessly across the world and through our lives.
People are asking me, “What’s appropriate to discuss on social media during a time like this?”
Some are even asking if they should even be posting at all.
Let’s discuss this!
I’ll start by giving my personal opinion.
Yes, the world is going through a crisis.
Yes, it’s bad and it’s probably going to get worse before it gets any better.
However, we can’t just crawl away into our blankie forts and watch streaming services until it’s all over.
For those of you, who like me, are small business people, we can’t afford to just turn off the lights and hibernate until the pandemic has run its course.
Furthermore, we have a broader responsibility to our online communities to stay engaged during this time.
In other words, we should stay on social media.
Which brings us back to the original question, “What’s appropriate to discuss on social media during a time like this?”
I’ll start by saying whatever it is that you normally discuss on social media.
For small businesses, social media content should either entertain or inform.
The mix’ll depend on whatever your particular business happens to be.
Now, I wouldn’t ignore the pandemic.
It’s too big and going to have too much of an impact on the world and life as we know.
Besides your usual content, talk about how you’re managing during these difficult times.
Talk about your clients and their struggles.
One restaurant near me has launched a GoFundMe page to help their laid off employees.
Continue to post evergreen content.
While the pandemic is going to last for a while, it won’t last forever.
Content specific to the emergency will have a very short shelf life after this is all over.
Humor is OK.
Just be careful!.
People are hurting now.
They’re losing their jobs and businesses.
Some are ill and have family and friends who are ill as well, if not dying.
Don’t appear to be insensitive.
Finally, never appear to be exploiting the pandemic for your personal gain.
Yes, you can offer your services and show how you can help during these tough times.
Just don’t appear callous or indifferent to the suffering of others.
In these times, my usual rules for social media still apply, engage sincerely and produce value added content.
That’s it for now!
Please check-out my 8 step approach for developing a social media program to get some more ideas on how to use social media.
Also, never forget to reach out to either ask questions or to ask for help from someone like myself!
In the meantime, thank you for following and reading my blog!
I look forward to any and all comments that you may have. I will reply to any comments made to this blog post as promptly as I can.
And, remember!
I do this for a living and if I can be of any assistance to either you or your organization, please feel free to call on me. Our initial discussion will be of no charge to you.
I can also be reached at conpsweeney@someddi.com.
My Twitter handle is @conpsweeney.
Stay well!