MARCH 2024

always checking to see if our social media strategies are
working. By working closely with nearby cities and parishes,
we can streamline communication and have a bigger
impact.
Social media isn’t just useful during a crisis; it’s a powerful
tool for building and keeping the trust and confidence of
our communities every day. By being open and honest
in our communication and purposefully sharing both our
successes and challenges, we create a bond based on
mutual respect and understanding.
As we face the ups and downs of emergencies, let’s take
the lessons we’ve learned to heart and work to unlock
the full potential of social media. By connecting with, informing,
and empowering our communities through these
digital platforms, we can change the way we communicate,
work together, and overcome any crisis that comes
our way.
The message from the recent LMA Mid-Winter Conference
is loud and clear: by collaborating, innovating, and
staying dedicated to our communities, we can make it
through any storm. With its incredible reach and flexibility,
social media is ready to be our partner, making sure local
leaders have what it takes to tackle challenges head-on
and keep those vital connections with the people they
serve in this digital age.
Five Steps to Leverage
Social Media in Crisis Management
1. Create a Social Media Crisis Plan
• Analyze your community demographics to understand
who you need to reach during a crisis
• Consider factors such as age, occupation, and
preferred social media platforms
• Segment your audience based on their communication
needs and preferences
• Determine the primary goals and objectives of
your social media crisis communication
• Identify the most effective social media platforms
for reaching your target audience
• Establish a clear chain of command for content
creation, approval, and dissemination
• Create pre-approved message templates for
common crisis scenarios to ensure quick response
times
• Develop a content calendar that outlines the frequency
and type of updates to be shared during
a crisis
• Assign roles and responsibilities to your social
media crisis team
• Establish guidelines for engaging with the public
• Implement a system for monitoring social media
channels and tracking public sentiment during a
crisis
• Collaborate with local influencers, community
organizations, and media outlets to amplify your
message and reach a wider audience
• Plan for post-crisis communication to keep your
community informed about recovery efforts and
resources
2. Build a Strong Social Media Presence
• Consistently post content that is relevant, informative,
and valuable to your audience
• Encourage two-way communication by asking
questions, seeking feedback, and responding to
comments
• Host live Q&A sessions, webinars, or virtual
town halls to foster direct interaction with your
constituents
• Celebrate community successes, milestones,
and events to showcase the positive aspects of
your locality
• Recognize and appreciate community members,
organizations, and businesses that make a positive
impact
• Participate in local hashtags, trends, and discussions
to show that you are actively involved in the
community
• Be transparent about the challenges your community
faces, such as budget constraints, infrastructure
issues, or public safety concerns
• Provide regular updates on how your administration
is addressing these challenges and the progress
being made
• Acknowledge and take responsibility for any mistakes
or shortcomings, and outline the steps being
taken to rectify them
• Share success stories and positive outcomes resulting
from your administration’s efforts to showcase
the good work being done
• Encourage open dialogue and solicit feedback
from your constituents on how to tackle community
issues collaboratively
• By being transparent about both successes and
challenges, you build trust and credibility with
your audience
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LMR | MARCH 2024