Tips on Managing Your Brand and Your Team in a Crisis

By Katie McCoy-Dubow|March 27, 2020

Over the last few days, we’ve seen the obvious influx in conversation around COVID-19 in the news. We have also heard more and more talk about the impact that it’s having on our industry’s businesses. From closures to shifting business models, our industry is certainly adjusting.

We will get through, as spring just came, and so will summer. People will garden, hopefully more than ever. But in the meantime, business must go on.

So, the Garden Media Group has compiled a list of things you should be checking on, or be sure your marketing and social media team is checking on for you.

Read more to learn some suggestions for communication during this unprecedented time.

Social Media Plan

Set alerts to help you, your team, and your customers stay on top of inbound messages, and quickly flag when things may be escalating.
Establish a message protocol and save any responses to help your team quickly respond to inbound questions surrounding COVID-19.
Use a social listening tool to quickly and effectively track crisis management.
Collaborate with all teams remotely

External Communication Plan

Develop relevant internal and external messaging for any crisis
Identify your team’s assignments and roles
Compile a list of key team member contacts
Perform a media audit and update the contact list
Decide on a preferred vendor list
Outline a digital communications plan comprehensive of best practices and guidelines

Above all else, lead with empathy. These next few weeks are not only going to be difficult for your customers, but for your employees as well. Everyone has a ton on info coming at them. Only share info you know to be true and do not spread panicked, sensational information.