5 ways brand managers can avoid a social media crisis

The online world can—and often does—turn social media missteps into full-blown catastrophes in a matter of minutes.

Occasionally, it seems like digital consumers can take offense to anything:

For every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction. Plus a social media overreaction.

— Tim Siedell (@badbanana) January 30, 2012

However, brand managers can navigate the sometimes—rocky seas of online interaction and avoid social media crises of their own by following these suggestions:

1. Vigilantly monitor social media feeds.

Social media never sleeps. It is essential for brands to have someone monitoring social media at all times—day and night, holidays and weekends.

Depending on the brand, employee coverage across social media profiles doesn’t have to be extensive. However, the team must be aware of any and all news or trends that could affect the brand, and ready to act if the need arises.