In 2017, a video of a passenger being forcibly removed from a United Airlines flight went viral, causing a social media backlash that damaged the company’s reputation. United's initial response was slow and inadequate, and the incident became a social media meme, with people creating parodies and jokes at United's expense.
The company's response to the crisis was widely criticized as being tone-deaf and insensitive. I believe United's social media manager was not empowered to respond effectively to the crisis, which led to a delay in the company's official response and a slow reaction to customer complaints on social media.
This lack of responsiveness exacerbated the situation and led to a significant loss of trust and reputation damage for United Airlines.
If you are a brand or a business owner without a social media presence, you're practically invisible in today's digital age. It is like running a store with the lights off and the door locked - no one knows you exist.
The incident highlights the importance of having an empowered social media management team in place to respond effectively to messages, inquiries and crises.
Lack of understanding on social media management has been an issue in the marketing, communications, PR and many other integral departments for brands and personalities is. Why do I say this? The other day we had a discovery meeting with a client and the first thing she asked, “Why do I need someone to just post for me? I can do that! “This isn’t surprising because I know you have also asked yourself this question couple times. Well, that’s about to change.
At this point you might be wondering why your startup needs social media presence, leave alone a manager. If you are a brand or a business owner without a social media presence, you're practically invisible in today's digital age. It is like running a store with the lights off and the door locked - no one knows you exist.
The good news, social media is not a one size fit for all. It’s not just about the big brands, it’s about creating a unique brand voice and engaging with your target audience. Doesn’t matter the size of your business, it’s about your brands story and how well you can put it out there. It’s about the solutions and value you offer. Social media is a cost-effective way to reach potential customers, build brand loyalty, and drive sales.
But let's say you do have a social media presence. Does that mean you're automatically successful? Unfortunately, not. Just having a social media account is not enough.
You need to understand the social media landscape, crisis management, community management, handling negative feedback and strategy formulation that aligns with your business goals, brands voice and values.
Managing social media can be overwhelming, and you need a social media manager who is skilled in social media strategy, content creation, analytics and sales drive.
So aside from the commonly known duty of posting, what really does a social media manager do different for you or your brand?
Building brand awareness.
By creating content that resonates with your target audience, running targeted ads, and engaging with your followers, a manager not only makes your brand visible, but also ensures that you have meaningful and immersive brand awareness.
Crisis Management
Just a few months back, Kenya had a national power outage and Kenya power was at the center of a social media outburst. Their social media team provided regular updates and helped to manage the crisis. That was quite commendable.
In today's digital age, crises can happen at any time, and social media is often the first place where customers go to voice their complaints. A social media manager can monitor your social media accounts, respond to customer inquiries promptly, and handle negative feedback.
Sales drive
Social media can be an excellent tool to drive sales, but you need a strategy that aligns with your business goals. This is achieved by creating content that promotes your products or services, and tracking your social media metrics to make informed decisions.
Staying ahead of the competition
If you're not investing in social media, you're giving your competitors an advantage. Having a manager who keep tabs on your competition, analyzes their social media strategy, and helps you stay ahead of the game should be such a priority.
Expertise in social media platforms
Social media platforms are constantly evolving, and it can be challenging for businesses to keep up with the latest trends and changes. A manager comes with the expertise to navigate these platforms, understand their algorithms, and leverage them to reach your target audience effectively.
Consistency in posting
Posting regularly can help keep your business top of mind for potential customers and increase your visibility. However, it can be time-consuming to create and schedule content consistently. A social media manager can take care of this for you, ensuring that your business is regularly active on social media.
Engaging content creation
Creating engaging content that resonates with your target audience is crucial for increasing engagement on social media. A social media manager has the skills to create compelling visuals, videos, and copy that can help increase engagement and generate leads for your business.
Monitoring and responding to feedback
Social media is a two-way conversation. It's important to monitor and respond to feedback from customers to maintain a positive reputation and improve customer satisfaction. A social media manager can help you keep track of comments, direct messages, and mentions and respond promptly and professionally. This is such an effective process in community management.
Social media can be a powerful tool for you to connect with your audiences and reach new customers especially for small businesses or those new to the space. Achieving this without an expert’s help can sometimes be hard, that’s where we come in.
Our team has extensive experience in social media management and we're passionate about helping businesses grow their online presence. From crafting engaging content to monitoring metrics and analyzing data, we'll take care of every aspect of your social media strategy.
Don't let social media be a barrier to your business's success. Let us be your partner and help you unlock the full potential of social media.
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