{"id":3437,"date":"2020-04-30T19:34:20","date_gmt":"2020-04-30T17:34:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/?p=3437"},"modified":"2024-02-26T14:13:37","modified_gmt":"2024-02-26T12:13:37","slug":"social-networks-in-the-times-of-vrisis-where-are-we-now-and-where-we-re-headed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/en\/blog-en\/social-networks-in-the-times-of-vrisis-where-are-we-now-and-where-we-re-headed\/","title":{"rendered":"Social Networks in the times of crisis: Where are we now and where we\u2019re headed?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Social networks are online platforms that connect people and enable them to create and exchange content in real-time. They are favourite destinations that users frequent in order to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/blog-en\/are-facebook-groups-successors-of-forums\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">get in touch with people of similar interests<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, explore a bit, and learn something, as well as to get entertained, informed, and inspired. These activities form the core of the social networks\u2019 societal function.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Secondly, many of us have already <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/blog-en\/who-are-lush-and-tesla-trying-to-trick\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">created content<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and even <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/blog-en\/social-shopping-and-social-commerce-are-you-ready-for-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">purchased products and services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> via these channels. What is also important for the business world to realize is that social media users are eager to interact with brands around the world. These kinds of activities remind us that social media has enormous commercial potential.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thus, brands and companies, when they\u2019re devising <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/blog-en\/digital-marketing-strategy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">online strategies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, should always take into account the fact they exist online for people, not the other way around. It\u2019s also important to recognize that building relationships between brands, and their online communities is a long and demanding process. On top of that, we have to acknowledge that online reputation is hard to establish and easy to tarnish. This should incite caution when producing content, communicating, and crafting marketing campaigns and messages. It\u2019s time to unify the societal and commercial function of social media.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #00bbd3;\"><a style=\"color: #00bbd3;\" href=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/en\/?utm_source=homepage-eng&amp;utm_campaign=homepage-CTA%20upper&amp;utm_content=social-networks-in-the-times-of-vrisis-where-are-we-now-and-where-we-re-headed#contact\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>Now, due to social distancing measures, people are online more than ever, and the moment is right to start thinking about your online strategy. On that note, don\u2019t hesitate to contact us<\/b><\/a><\/span><b><span style=\"color: #00bbd3;\">.<\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/h1>\n<h2><b>COVID-19 Pandemic: Initial reactions from brands and consumers\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Right from the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, it was clear we\u2019re not dealing with just a health emergency and pandemic, but a global \u201cinfodemic\u201d. People struggled to assess who to trust and how to cope with the overflow of information drowning them. This brings us to the topic of reputation, which is always crucial in customers\u2019 evaluations, whether the brand is trustworthy or not. In times like these, this reputation can be very exposed and vulnerable to risks. Many brands are already under siege because customers observe them through the magnifying glass.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to brands on social media, after the state of emergency had been declared, they were patient and wary over the course of the first 7-10 days. They weren\u2019t overly active and were keeping a close eye on the situation, consolidating internally. The priority was to preserve the health of employees and adjust operations and processes to new realities. After that, they had to decide on their marketing activities, which depended on the vertical market. Some businesses cancelled their campaigns altogether. That was the case with the brand <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.highsnobiety.com\/p\/patagonia-halts-operations-coronavirus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patagonia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which shut down not just its stores but the website as well.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, German Adidas was under fire because of its decision to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/8bfe8e86-39b2-48c1-9a7c-5a527e60d120\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stop paying the rent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on its stores (H&amp;M and Sports Direct did the same) and then to keep its employers at work. The company called Geico had to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/adage.com\/article\/cmo-strategy\/7-brands-ads-unfortunately-timed-coronavirus-pandemic\/2244631\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">call off a video commercial<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> showing two people in close physical contact and doing the \u201chigh five\u201d hand gesture. The same happened to KFC\u2019s billboard and TV commercials that showed people licking their fingers after a meal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The others advertised in reduced or same capacities, while at the same time adjusting their approach to the situation at hand. The Coca-Cola company launched a special campaign \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.coca-colacompany.com\/media-center\/coca-cola-supporting-one-world-together-at-home-global-special-to-help-healthcare-workers-on-covid-19-front-lines\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One World: Together at Home<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d intending to gather some of the world\u2019s most eminent musicians and support healthcare workers at the first line of defense against the pandemic. Another positive example is the famous Nike, which diverted its attention to the \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mobilemarketer.com\/news\/nike-offers-workout-app-for-free-as-covid-19-keeps-people-indoors\/574721\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nike Training Club<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d app and offering it for free, a move that was met with the approval of users seeking to exercise at home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, some companies took advantage of the opportunity to enhance their visibility and marketing reach. Ford reacted quickly and canceled ads that were basically ready for deployment. In their place, the brand <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/adage.com\/article\/cmo-strategy\/ford-pulls-national-vehicle-ads-replacing-them-coronavirus-response-campaign\/2244726\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">created completely new ads<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that promote payment assistance to customers, accounting for the fact that many of them don\u2019t have money for pricey things like cars right now. Mucinex, a firm manufacturing health items and medicine, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.campaignlive.com\/article\/mucinex-takes-fight-against-fake-news\/1678018\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">targeted fake news<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with the campaign \u201cSpread Facts Not Fear\u201d on social media and other channels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Reactions of users and brands after a period of few weeks\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Serious companies and brands don\u2019t operate on autopilot, but carefully analyze the situation and their marketing efforts on social media and in general. They conceptualize them based on fresh insights streaming from the market. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gwi.com\/hubfs\/1.%20Coronavirus%20Research%20PDFs\/GWI%20coronavirus%20findings%20April%202020%20-%20Multi-Market%20Research%20(Release%205).pdf?utm_campaign=Coronavirus%20hub&amp;utm_source=hs_email&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=85877815&amp;_\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Global Web Index<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> conducted a comprehensive study on markets that bore the brunt of the COVID-19\u2019s impact. The results show people, for the most part, support brands in their marketing endeavors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3410 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-1.png\" alt=\"brand activity\" width=\"795\" height=\"301\" srcset=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-1.png 795w, https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-1-300x114.png 300w, https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-1-768x291.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 795px) 100vw, 795px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Image 1: an overview of the respondents&#8217; answers to the question whether they approve running \u201cnormal\u201d marketing activities during the Covid-19 pandemic. Source: Global Web Index<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In terms of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/en\/blog-en\/what-is-content-and-why-it-matters-so-much-for-your-brand\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">content<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, they obviously enjoy entertaining pieces, as well as advice on how to handle the crisis. It\u2019s somewhat surprising that they approve of brands communicating the benefits of their offerings and promoting loyalty programs. Also, it was revealed that consumers largely support the reallocation of core business functions to the production of essential goods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3412 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-2-1.png\" alt=\"content\" width=\"795\" height=\"352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-2-1.png 795w, https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-2-1-300x133.png 300w, https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-2-1-768x340.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 795px) 100vw, 795px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3414 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-3-1.png\" alt=\"analize\" width=\"795\" height=\"352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-3-1.png 795w, https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-3-1-300x133.png 300w, https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-3-1-768x340.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 795px) 100vw, 795px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3416 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-4.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"795\" height=\"352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-4.png 795w, https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-4-300x133.png 300w, https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-4-768x340.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 795px) 100vw, 795px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3418 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-5.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"795\" height=\"352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-5.png 795w, https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-5-300x133.png 300w, https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-5-768x340.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 795px) 100vw, 795px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Images 2, 3, 4 and\u00a0 5: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overviews of respondents&#8217; answers to questions about what types of content they approve of. Source: Global Web Index<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The same study discovered that apart from socialization with fellow tenants, top activities involve watching TV, browsing social media, and participating in chat platforms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3420 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-6.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"795\" height=\"539\" srcset=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-6.png 795w, https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-6-300x203.png 300w, https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-6-768x521.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 795px) 100vw, 795px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Image 6: An overview how people consume media during the Covid-19 pandemic. Source: Global Web Index.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Among the top 5 information points that people fancy are positive and inspiring stories about Coronavirus response and tips on how to stay active and healthy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3422 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"795\" height=\"453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-7.png 795w, https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-7-300x171.png 300w, https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-7-768x438.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 795px) 100vw, 795px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Image 7: Most relevant information according to the respondents. Source: Global Web Index.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As for the form of content, video remains the unrivalled king: movies and TV shows rank as #1, followed by funny, \u201chow-to\u201d, and DIY video clips.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3424 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-8.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"795\" height=\"463\" srcset=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-8.png 795w, https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-8-300x175.png 300w, https:\/\/homepage.rs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/za-tekst-8-768x447.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 795px) 100vw, 795px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Image 8: Content that people want to consume. Source: Global Web Index.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/OgilvyConsulting\/videos\/503244907020958\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to data from Ogilvy Agency<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, in a matter of just 48 hours, 30 million emotion-based posts and 13 million brand-related posts about COVID-19 were published. This is to say that brands are quite present in conversations that are constantly taking place. In fact, after May 12, the volume of branded posts related to Coronavirus doubled compared to the week before that. Two-thirds of the sentiments were, quite expectedly, neutral in nature, which only suits the state of current affairs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, the lesson is clear: The life on social media didn\u2019t come to a standstill; its focus has just shifted together with people\u2019s needs. Like it or not, the \u201cbusiness as usual\u201d can\u2019t continue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What does all of this mean for brands on social Media?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Considering human lives and their physical and mental wellbeing are impacted both directly and indirectly, it\u2019s of paramount importance to understand the context in which your target market exists and to predict how its behaviour will develop in the future.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hence, we think it\u2019s vital to adhere to the following <\/span><b>5 principles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which aren\u2019t exclusively linked to COVID-19 pandemic, but any kind of global crisis.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are the five \u201cgolden rules\u201d:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Listen, Listen, Listen<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014 pay close attention to what users are saying on social media, how they react, and what the discourse is about. Modify the approach accordingly.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Be flexible<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014 these are turbulent times, and we need to stay open to changes in tone of communication and core messages.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Be transparent<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014 under present conditions, transparency should be your main mantra, especially in the light of the tendency of people to trust brands more than governments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Adapt<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014 set a new course for your strategy in response to the target audience\u2019s new modes of behavior.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Be on top of the game<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014 Ponder ways in which you can help people as a brand.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><b>The needs of people changed and we have to change too\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If we boil these 5 principles down to a coherent approach, it would look like this in practice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the immediate wake of the outbreak, many companies showed their human face via social media. They didn\u2019t publish commercial content, and as time passed by and fear diminished, they started modifying their approach. Now, they rely on the classic <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maslow\u2019s hierarchy of needs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Namely, <\/span><b>health and safety<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> make the first and second place. Brands communicated posts that echoed #<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stayathome<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> #<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">staysafe <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">messages, as well as infographics explaining how to behave to avoid getting oneself and others infected. National Geographic has made all <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/science\/topic\/coronavirus-coverage?cmpid=org=ngp::mc=social::src=twitter::cmp=editorial::add=tw20200313science-coronaviruscoveragethread::rid=&amp;sf231470483=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">COVID-19-related news<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> available for free. Beer manufacturer Guinness appealed to drinkers to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedrum.com\/creative-works\/project\/guinness-st-patricks-day-message\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prioritize safety<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> during Saint Patrick\u2019s Day celebrations and donated half a million dollars. Reebok reacted in a similar fashion and encouraged followers to adapt to new conditions and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Reebok\/status\/1238469350341869569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1238469350341869569&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.socialmediatoday.com%2Fnews%2Ftwitter-provides-examples-of-positive-brand-communications-amid-the-covid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">work and exercise from home<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Some, like Formula 1, went a step further and started <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/latest\/article.uk-based-f1-teams-unite-around-project-pitlane-to-assist-with-ventilator.7G8gQu9v8j6aSgqk3P52fp.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">manufacturing of respirators<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Confectionery businesses tuned to making masks and delivery services enabled home contactless food deliveries. Many other companies donated money and demonstrated generosity in that way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After that, we have the <\/span><b>need for belonging<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014 we all want love and fun in these grim times. Various streaming services lifted restrictions to their channels and allowed families to gather and enjoy entertaining content together. Along similar lines, brands across industry sectors created entertaining quizzes and games. For instance, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/airconsole-is-giving-everyone-free-access-to-all-of-their-video-games-during-covid-19-lockdowns-301025571.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AirConsole<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offered free unlimited access to their video games during the pandemic. Audible, in collaboration with J.K. Rowling, initiated a program \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wizardingworld.com\/collections\/starting-harry-potter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Harry Potter At Home<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d, which features educational quizzes, video content, articles, and audio-books.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s worth emphasizing that a large number of companies are trying to mitigate the effects of the crisis on their employees and let them know they\u2019re essential members of the team despite the physical distance. Morgan Stanley and Bank of America are among the brands stating they <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/jackkelly\/2020\/03\/27\/prominent-ceos-promise-that-they-will-not-layoff-workers-in-2020\/#69c88d4c9a61\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">won\u2019t lay off workers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and that they\u2019ll permit paid sick leave. These are excellent instances of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/blog-en\/what-is-employer-branding\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">employer branding<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a process that is gaining more importance in the climate of crisis and fear.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The fourth basic human need is <\/span><b>self-respect<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Here, the companies aspired to embolden employees with free food, education, birthday gifts\u2026 And so the restaurant chain Pret supported the overworked NSA employees by providing <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/fabrikbrands.com\/brand-positioning-and-brand-response-in-a-pandemic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">free hot drinks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and discounts on other products. Chipotle handed away 10,000 free burritos, while <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/corporate.walmart.com\/news\/2020\/03\/19\/walmart-announces-special-cash-bonus-and-early-payment-of-q1-bonuses-totaling-nearly-550-million-for-hourly-associates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Walmart<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Hormel Food, and Danone gave their workers a raise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the very end, comes <\/span><b>self-actualization<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve seen ads for various free and discounted courses for learning new skills, competencies, and languages\u2026 This goes to show that certain types of businesses can profit during the crisis without jeopardizing their brand and reputation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Successfully adjusting to the new normal\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are various speculations surrounding the topic of how life will look after the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts tend to agree that this whole situation will affect consumers for a while.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Long-term consequences are far-reaching and varied. The unemployment rate will go up and the buying power of the population will go down. People have already started spending less money on luxuries and non-essentials, such as jewellery and vacations. Not only that but they\u2019ve become more sensitive to the greed of companies chasing only profits and forgoing care for the society and employees. It\u2019s expected that the process of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldbank.org\/en\/events\/2020\/05\/04\/will-covid-19-reshape-the-global-economy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">economic globalization will slow down<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which threatens companies relying on international value\/supply chains.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are forecasts that foundations such as social contract and the role of government in the economy will be revised, altering the market conditions under which businesses operate. Work from home and other forms of flexible work arrangements gained traction, and that trend will continue after the crisis. All these changes give rise to the new online landscape, especially in the area of social media.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steps in new directions will be easier in case you have a brand strategy in place. It should define your identity as a company, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/blog-en\/brand-activism-as-part-of-brand-strategy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">what you stand for<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, how you respond to change, and what your values are. The more human-like your brand is, the more authentic and approachable you\u2019ll be. And that\u2019s precisely what we need now on social media\u2014 a human approach that embraces social responsibility.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, it\u2019s imperative to understand how social media networks function and how people behave on them. According to this intelligence, you need to tailor your online communication strategy. This kind of adaptation should reflect on everything you do, from content creation to interaction with social followers. Note that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sproutsocial.com\/insights\/guides\/social-media-crisis-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">optimal times for posting<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have changed, as well as average message volumes. In the case of Facebook, for example, user activities are more consistent throughout the week, which means brands have more options regarding posting times. That being said, the adequate days now are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (previously it was just Wednesday).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advertising is affected too, which is visible through metrics such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.socialbakers.com\/blog\/covid-19-is-changing-behavior-on-social-media-for-both-brands-and-users\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">advertising spend, click-through rate, and cost per click<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In particular, as budgets got tighter, the ad spending shrunk, bringing the cost of ads down. These trends have shaped the first quarter of 2020, and they could persist throughout the rest of the year.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And one opportunity you don\u2019t want to miss out on is capitalizing on significantly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/report-most-important-data-on-digital-audiences-during-coronavirus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">increased engagement rates<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> across all major networks and industries. The best way to go about this task is to produce quality organic content and emit messages relevant to the audience. You can\u2019t go wrong with content highlighting safety, solidarity, mental health, remote work, education, fund distractions, and social responsibility. Through it all, make sure to follow the principles of excellent <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/blog-en\/preparation-is-half-the-battle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">crisis communication<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, even when the pandemic ends.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whenever used correctly, social networks are a powerful commercial vehicle, but also the means of changing society for the better.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you require support in developing your strategy, feel free to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/homepage.rs\/en\/?utm_source=homepage-eng&amp;utm_campaign=homepage-CTA%20lower&amp;utm_content=social-networks-in-the-times-of-vrisis-where-are-we-now-and-where-we-re-headed#contact\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contact us<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Social networks are online platforms that connect people and enable them to create and exchange content in real-time. They are favourite destinations that users frequent in order to get in touch with people of similar interests, explore a bit, and learn something, as well as to get entertained, informed, and inspired. These activities form the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3428,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[127,131,132,133,65,120,42,121,135,128],"class_list":["post-3437","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-en","tag-commerce-en","tag-corona-en","tag-covid19-en","tag-crisis","tag-digital-advertising","tag-digital-trends-en","tag-digitalni-marketing-en","tag-kampanja-en","tag-michaela-turner","tag-social-commerce-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Social Networks in the times of crisis: Where are we now and where we\u2019re headed?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"COVID-19 Pandemic: Initial reactions from brands and consumers. 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