4 social media rules for handling celebrity passings
Prince’s death provoked a massive response from band managers on traditional and social media, but not all of the mourners put their own egos aside. Here’s how to avoid criticism.
Mashable: “Brands awkwardly try to pay tribute to Prince”
Adweek: “Brands post tributes to Prince, but struggle to make them heartfelt and not promotional”
Death can bring out the worst in brand managers—and consumers—online. One of my friends said it best: “Grief is selfish.”
Attach that selfishness to social media, and it can be the perfect storm of narcissism.
I remember reading endless Facebook posts dedicated to a friend that passed away a couple years ago. Every other message was from someone he hated or barely knew going on about how they couldn’t cope with this incomprehensible loss.
I felt disgusted. My social feed looked more like a contest to showcase who knew the man best than a forum for genuine tributes.
I’m a Prince fan (always have been), and his death hurt more than I imagined it would. I also have mixed feelings about whether brand managers should hop on a trending topic when it’s about a public figure’s death.
Many times, I think it’s an exercise in futility that will get lost in white noise unless you have something authentic to say.
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