Lockdown conditions imposed by the government leave us all more dependent than ever on our computers and smartphones, so there’s every reason for businesses to be upping their efforts on social media.
In this current time of fear and isolation, though, it’s especially important to watch your tone and avoid any faux pas that could leave you attracting attention for the wrong reasons.
Here are two Twitter accounts that have made errors of judgment in the last 10 days, both of which happen to be from the world of football:
1. Tottenham Hotspur
We could all do with cheering up at the moment, but there’s no sugar-coating the fact that these are difficult and unsettling times. Any attempts to spread a bit of joy and humour must be approached carefully so as not to appear glib or disrespectful.
This is compounded if it distracts from a more pressing concern surrounding you or your business. In ordinary circumstances, a tweet from Tottenham Hotspur FC to mark a year since moving into their new stadium might have been warmly received.
🗓️ 🎇 One year ago today, we moved into our new home! #THFC ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/MT9l5y94IG
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 3, 2020
Unfortunately, Spurs and their chairman Daniel Levy have made unfavourable headlines with their decision to furlough all non-playing staff, but not players or managers. With many fans embarrassed at their club’s coronavirus response, what was meant to be a celebratory tweet attracted irate and sarcastic responses like the below:
So we move into our beautiful new mansion then ask the government to pay our cleaners. Not a good look spurs.
— lou cm gtto fbpa fbppr coys 🇪🇺🇬🇧🐓 (@chandlermullins) April 3, 2020
Be sure to gauge the mood of your audience, and make sure any happiness you want to spread is appropriate.
2. Jack Grealish
We need clear communication right now, so the perfect way to undermine yourself is to say one thing on Twitter, then do another.
On March 28th, Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish tweeted a video advising his following to stay at home and save lives.
Stay Home. Protect the NHS. Save Lives.#StayHomeSaveLives @NHSuk pic.twitter.com/AIN4AzwNcR
— Jack Grealish (@JackGrealish) March 28, 2020
Grealish failed to follow his own advice, however, and went to see a friend that evening. Worse still, he managed to crash his car into “a number of parked vehicles” in the early hours of the following morning.
Most of us are not in the public eye as much as footballers, but any person or business whose Twitter words and real-life actions give out mixed messages is sure to be accused of hypocrisy. If you tweet it, make sure you mean it.
For advice on how to get the most out of your website and social media channels as the crisis continues, speak to us at Engage Web.
- How to find a circular reference on Excel - May 23, 2024
- Five life skills learned from internet marketing - January 3, 2024
- How artificial intelligence can (and can’t) help you write content - September 29, 2023
