Navigating Politics and Business During Election Season

In this episode of “Girl Get Visible,” host Akilah Thompkins-Robins sits down with marketing strategist Andréa Jones of https://onlinedrea.com to discuss the unique challenges and strategies for business owners during election season. This conversation is crucial as politics and election time can significantly impact a business’s social content, audience engagement, and brand perception.

Key Highlights:

• Balancing Personal Values and Business Goals: Andrea and Akilah delve into the intricate balance business owners must maintain between their personal values and business objectives. They explore why maintaining this balance is essential, especially during periods charged with political fervor.
• Public vs. Personal Display: Andrea emphasizes the importance of differentiating between personal and business online presence. She shares a poignant instance where using a business page for personal expression led to backlash.
• Expressing Political Beliefs: The episode tackles the complexities of publicly supporting political candidates as a business. Andrea suggests subtle methods like themed products to reflect personal values without alienating customers unless political engagement aligns with the brand’s identity.
• Impact of Scheduling and Automation: We discuss the risks associated with scheduled posts during sensitive times. They recommend pausing or adjusting content to be sensitive to the current societal context, especially during tragic events.
• Engagement with Current Events: The episode underscores the importance of acknowledging ongoing events as part of a brand’s communication strategy. Andrea and Akilah share insights on tailoring responses based on the brand’s domain and community sentiments.
• Navigating Viral Content: Andrea shares her experience with a viral post about oat milk’s cost, illustrating how trivial topics can generate significant attention and controversy. This story highlights the unpredictable nature of social media interactions during election seasons.
• Platform Dynamics: The discussion covers how different social media platforms handle news differently in their algorithm
• Mental Well-being Resources: Andrea introduces “Social Media Unwind,” a meditation resource to help individuals manage the emotional impact of social media during elections. This, along with the “Social Media Reset Challenge,” offers much-needed support for business owners navigating stressful times.
• Handling Negativity and Online Harassment: Andrea shares her approach to dealing with online negativity after a controversial post went viral. Both speakers discuss the importance of a support system and utilizing block and report features to manage online harassment.

This episode emphasizes the significance of community support and positivity amid the negativity on social media during election times. Andrea and Akilah provide actionable strategies and balanced approaches for business owners to thrive while aligning their actions with their core values and considering their community and brand image during politically charged periods.

Tune in to this enlightening episode to equip yourself with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the complexities of politics and business in these dynamic times.

Resources for Entrepreneurs mentioned in the episode:

• Social Media Unwind: https://socialmediaunwind.com
• Social Media Reset Challenge: https://onlinedrea.com/reset/