Lessons Learned from the December 2022 Winter Storm
The December 2022 winter storm that hit the southwestern United States caused widespread disruptions for travelers and airlines alike, and Southwest Airlines was one of the most affected carriers. The storm brought heavy snow and freezing temperatures, causing significant issues for Southwest's operations and a ripple effect on the entire airline industry. During this crisis, the communication and transparency of Southwest Airlines through social media played a crucial role in the public perception and reputation of the company.
Lack of Engagement: A major issue with Southwest's Social Media Strategy
One of the major issues with Southwest's social media strategy during the crisis was the need for more customer engagement. Many customers who reached out to the airline on social media felt that their concerns needed to be addressed or that they were getting generic automated responses. This is a common issue during crises, as companies may become overwhelmed by the volume of customer inquiries. To avoid this, companies need a crisis communication plan that assigns specific individuals or teams to handle social media engagement.
Specificity is Key: The Importance of Providing Real-Time Flight Information on Social Media
Another issue with Southwest's social media strategy was that the shared information needed to be more specific. Customers wanted to know about the status of their specific flights, but the updates provided by Southwest were general and did not address individual flight cancellations or delays. This lack of timely and specific information led to customer frustration and mistrust in the airline. In the future, airlines facing a crisis like this should provide specific, real-time information about the status of flights on their social media platforms.
The Importance of Proactivity in Social Media Crisis Communication
Proactivity is also an essential aspect of social media crisis communication. During this crisis, Southwest did not proactively inform customers of steps they could take to mitigate the storm's impact on their travel plans. This lack of proactive communication left customers feeling frustrated and uninformed. In the future, airlines should take the initiative to inform customers of steps they can take to mitigate the impact of a crisis, such as rescheduling options or compensation.
Continuous Monitoring and Updating: The Role of Timeliness in Crisis Communication
Continuous monitoring and updating are also crucial during a crisis. As the situation unfolds, airlines should monitor it continuously and promptly update customers on their social media platforms. This can help to reduce customer frustration and build trust.
Conclusion: Effective Crisis Communication on Social Media and its Importance for Reputation and Trust.
In summary, effective crisis communication through social media during a crisis like the December 2022 winter storm is essential for maintaining the reputation and trust of the company. Airlines can use social media to their advantage by having a crisis communication plan, providing real-time and specific information, engaging with customers, proactively informing customers of steps they can take, and continuously monitoring and updating the situation.
We know the importance of a social media crisis communication plan, and it’s essential to handling situations from issues to full-blown crises. If your company needs help developing a social media crisis communication plan, we can help. Get in touch.