Churches and organizations will face an opportunity where social media can greatly impact how you respond to a crisis. Whether the crisis is a natural disaster, community problem, or an internal church conflict, how a message is crafted can produce positive results if done correctly.
During the recent #chsocm chat that I moderated, our church social media group discussed the best practices for using social media during a crisis. Here are my 4 topic/questions that we discussed:
- T1: Name a crisis that emerged in a ministry community and how could it have been improved by social media? Could be your church or another.
- T2: What tools or strategies can churches use during a crisis to improve communication & trust?
- T3: How should an external community crisis be handled differently than an internal church crisis via social media?
- T4: What can be shared via social media from a crisis that reveals a greater truth about God?
Here were some good ideas and responses to the topic of using social media during crisis:
T1 there was a major transition at my seminary and sm was used (poorly) to focus on venting instead of as lament and healing #chsocm
— Jared Lee (@JaredJLee89) October 23, 2013
T2: Don’t post any information that hasn’t been confirmed. Even major news outlets have trouble with this one. #ChSocM
— Julie (@ohxjulie) October 23, 2013
T2 maintaining clear communication, honesty, and sacred space during times of peace #chsocm
— Jared Lee (@JaredJLee89) October 23, 2013
T2: Variety of comm. styles are important. Twitter, Fbook, e-mail, text. Depends on crisis, but mix of info, gathering, & prayers. #chsocm
— Eric Clapp (@eric_clapp) October 23, 2013
T2 Just because you know facts doesn't mean you share on SM. Determine who is ministry spokesperson. #chsocm
— Dan Webster (@RevWeb) October 23, 2013
Good #chsocm topic tonight. However, snarkable rating is quite low. Unless your crisis is missing vestments.
— ChurchSnob (@ChurchSnobTEC) October 23, 2013
RT @PastorJoelle Do not assume old people are not on SM!!! //Depends on the church, actually. Some think #chsocm is of the devil.
— Cheryl K. (@LuckyCharm333) October 23, 2013
T4: Create YouTube series of short stories from people in the community & share as widely as possible. #chsocm — Eric Clapp (@eric_clapp) October 23, 2013
@alanrud Mr. Rogers said “Look for the helpers.” Any time you can show goodness via Instagram, FB, Twitter, etc that’s a good thing #chsocm
— Katy Dunigan (@kdunigan) October 23, 2013
Should already be following, interacting w/ local media, reporters who cover your town way before crisis/disaster. #chsocm
— Carolyn Clement (@singingcarolyn) October 23, 2013
Here is the full transcript from the social media and crisis discussion.
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