6 ways to talk to your audience during a crisis

It’s often tough at the best of times to work out how to communicate effectively with your social media audience. However, in times of crisis, it becomes even more of a challenge. Here are our six tips on how to write engaging and appropriate content when the general public is facing financial, economic, or emotional difficulties.
1) Be honest
Aspirational content is not what people want right now. People are living day to day wondering when this will be over so they can breathe the air of the new world. So, until that day comes, focus on the present. Take social media back to what it used to be: a journal, or a way to document day to day life.
2) Be positive and optimistic
This doesn’t mean you need to be unrealistic; it just means you shouldn’t dwell on the negatives. People want to escape the world a bit during times of crisis. You can bring some light-hearted humour to your content. And if you’re not funny,..
…emoji 🤠
3) Use what you have — literally
Use the space you’re in to your advantage. If you’re in a cramped tiny house where you’re fighting for air, tell people that. Film a time-lapse of your day. If the only other living being you’ve seen for a week is the neighbour’s cat, write a blog about it!

4) Keep it short
Sometimes a few words are enough. Or…
…emoji 🤯
5) Remember your customers like you and your brand
Just because you’re not ‘selling’, ‘performing’, or ‘working’, that doesn’t mean your friends, fans, and customers aren’t still interested in you and what our current circumstances mean for your business.
6) Document rather than create
Write everything you’ve got in your head down into a document or a memo book. Set a timer for 15/20 mins and just write. Once it’s all out of your head, go back over it and cut that bad boy up into content for your social feeds or blog. A stream of considered consciousness can be of great interest — open yourself up and see what happens.
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