Category Archives: Business

Our New Article in PR News’ Crisis Management Guidebook

photoSusan Tellem and I wrote an article for Volume 6 of PR News’ Crisis Management Guidebook. Flip to the social media chapter, and you’ll see our article “Are You Antisocial in a Crisis?”

The guidebook combines research, case studies and expertise from our field so businesses can be prepared in the event of a crisis, which when  handled well, can demonstrate to your publics that your organization “puts people before profits” and “truth, before denial or spin.” The guidebook gives you all the tools to strategize and create an action plan for your business.

-Dan, TGPR

Learn How to Apologize (@celebboutique)

Be careful what you tweet for. Twitter is beautiful because it gives you the opportunity to actually think before you speak. Unfortunately, not everyone takes advantage. See @celebboutique for example, who jumped right into the social media spotlight today, pulling an amateur move by trying to capitalize on a trending topic. Too bad for them #Aurora was discussing this morning’s shooting tragedy in Aurora, Colorado (not their silly, overpriced Kim Kardashian inspired bag). Not only did CB pull a Kenneth Cole, they placed blame on an overseas PR agency who was “UNAWARE” of the tragedy.

I was just talking about the topic of social media mistakes with a business trade reporter (and of course will share the story when it publishes). When will businesses (no matter the size) using social media learn to publicly accept you did something wrong or made a mistake, take the blame, apologize and move on? Take a cue from TV networks — if you end up saying something stupid (Brian Ross) take the blame, apologize and move on.

No one needs to be fired. No one needs administrative leave. It’s twitter, and although every tweet is stored in the Library of Congress, it’s not the end of the world. But by making excuses and continuing to address it, you are adding fuel to the fire and people will be asking for your head in no time:

-Dan, TGPR

Understanding Facebook Check-Ins

You are at your favorite Sushi joint enjoying a delicious Avocado Roll when suddenly you forget the urge to eat, drink, or socialize with your dinner partner! You forgot to “check-in” using Facebook so you furiously search for your Smartphone, use GPS technology to determine your location and click “Check-In” at Cowabunga Sushi. Ahhh…all is well again.

Instead of asking why people bother to check in and share these details publicly, understand that times have changed as this becomes a natural procedure for the tech generation. As marketers, let’s understand how Facebook deals with these actions internally since they are making changes to terms and conditions:

  • Previously, if someone checked into the business multiple times, each check-in was counted into your Page’s total check-in number. Now, if someone checks into your business multiple times within a 12-hour period, that action will be counted as one unique check-in.
  • When customers tag their friends at a location and upload a photo, those photo tags will be counted more holistically. For example, if 20 photos were uploaded to an album at a specific location, Facebook will now count that as a single check-in. If Jessica checks into a location and tags five friends in the photo she uploads with her check-in, the total check-ins number will be six — Jessica plus her five friends.

Lol…when was the last time businesses of all sizes utilized a platform (Facebook) that changes so frequently?! It presents a unique challenge to “social captains” but the tides of change bring learning and excitement so we aren’t complaining! With these updates, be sure to integrate check-ins into promotional campaigns and continue to encourage patrons to share photos and tag locations and friends!

-Dan and Andy, TGPR

Patience Required For These Facebook Personalities

Facebook is like the glory days of Usenet Newsgroups in the mid-90s except instead of a computer geek chattering class it’s 850 million humans, and some pets. It was like your favorite band’s message board or the digital camera help discussion forum opened the floodgates to middle America. That’s Facebook today. And if you log enough administrator hours, you’ll notice certain personalities will require your best attempts at patience. Just remember you are representing brands…and to always think before you speak (reply).

1)  “Come To My City” – If you’ve ever posted news on a brand page about an event in a particular city or a tour, you have encountered Come to My City guy. With each event post, the same person will encourage you to “Come to Iowa!!!!” etc etc. Sometimes you want to celebrate location-specific events with the whole community but with that, your photo or video post to an entire worldwide audience means you’ll be sure to see the: “Don’t tease us!!! We want it in our town!!!” comment. Patience is a virtue not often found on Facebook so be sure to have responses prepared.

2)  “Negative Nancy” – You post a photo of a new product or offering and most Facebookers are loving it. Then someone decides to suck the enthusiasm out of the thread with “Lets not jump to conclusions – I’m going to wait until I have the product in my hand before I join in all this awesome, due praise.”

3) “Inappropriateness” – All your Facebook fans are having a fun time commenting on your latest post. But then comes the person who posts the inappropriate link, swear word or tells an off-color joke. It usually results in bringing the conversation to a standstill — like a Facebook “record scratch” pausing the party. Be sure to address the person acting inappropriately to assure those in your community that a moderator is present.

4) “Letter Writer” - Might sometimes be called the “Let’s Start A Campaign Person.” They turn every status update into a reason to organize and make a change. The whole world is always against them. All you tried to do was post a fill in the blank update on Facebook and they took it as if you were stripping them of all civil liberties. Never underestimate the injustice you are causing them by your daily social media updates.

5) “Know It All” – This commenter is always the first to answer a trivia question or any kind of contest. They tend to get the correct answer within a few seconds of the post being up. Equally, anytime you post ANYTHING, they  “already heard about it”, or “saw this online last week.” Were sure you know the type.

BONUS: “First” Person - for some reason, folks love to claim first comment and they’ll make it known by not commenting about the content, but simply saying “First”. Thanks for your valuable input! LOL.

There you have it Facebook administrators. What other personalities have you encountered on FB?

-Andy and Dan, TGPR

OMG Gap Gets it!

From a random GAP coat that has lasted for years.

This is really smart! Kudos to the Gap, Inc. social media team that created an employee manual — “OMG You Will Never Guess What Happened at Work Today” — listing out guidelines for social media use. Companies, schools, all businesses really should consider adopting elements of Gap’s guidelines which include (in bold):

  • There is no delete – ever notice how some people don’t care?
  • Some subjects can invite a flame war – generally religion and politics
  • It’s a small world and we’re a global company – this is gently reminding employees that what they say can be seen worldwide and deemed offensive by who is reading the content
  • Respect other people’s stuff – in a nod to the creative community, Gap reminds employees not to copy
  • Your job comes first – social media shouldn’t affect  job performance
  • Play nice, be yourself – here Gap says even though they are an employee make it clear that they aren’t a company spokesperson

And “If you #!%#@# up?” Gap encourages employees to “correct it immediately and be clear about what you’ve done to fix it. Contact the social media team if it’s a real doozy.”

Visit Ragan’s PR Daily article for other highlights! http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/11088.aspx

We encourage clients and businesses to develop an educational brochure much like Gap’s. Better safe than sorry!

-Dan, TGPR