Missed out on this year’s virtual Social for Safety Conference? Let’s get you some tips in this Government Social Media Chat, “Best #S4SCON Tips for #SocialGov Handling Crisis.” Welcome, and let’s get started with a recap on Question 1! What’s your best tip on deciphering whether a pic on social media might be real or fake? Here’s some expert advice:

A1: Thanks @Jdlazo for the #S4SCON advice to follow accounts like @PicPedant & @Snopes to help debunk! #GSMChat

— Government Social Media (@GovernmentSM) October 1, 2020

A1: Your brain intuitively knows if something is off. Look for pixelation, shadows going in different directions, strange edges. Also upload to a site like https://t.co/t100oA4XDO #gsmchat

— Shane (@savanapridi) October 1, 2020

Look for familiar landmarks; know the locales for which you cover. Are there visible timestamps? Try a reverse image search to see if frequently used with other disasters. #gsmchat

— Marian Doucette (@iNeedArts) October 1, 2020

One way disaster pictures are often inaccurately used is by being taken out of context. The picture may be real, but they story behind it may not be. Here's a recent example #gsmchat #AlwaysAssumeSharksAreFake pic.twitter.com/myx6i1thwa

— Jennifer Lazo (@Jdlazo) October 1, 2020

Great thoughts, socialgov! Comments this year in 2020 have been especially overwhelming. How do you effectively handle comment overload? Let’s share:

A2: This is exactly what @jlvanderkolk session at #S4SCON was about! She covered the most masterful ways to handle comments, including this advice: Turn frequent questions into new posts & FAQs. #GSMChat

— Government Social Media (@GovernmentSM) October 1, 2020

A2: What I said at #S4SCON is that I take those posts home at night, so I can focus on my replies and not miss anything, once the daily grind has slowed. Sometimes I do this first thing in the morning, too. #gsmchat pic.twitter.com/OBQKFUS5Oe

— ✨Jessica 🏠🧼😷 VanderKolk✨ (@jlvanderkolk) October 1, 2020

A2: I will add also that you can set up an auto response message in Facebook when people send you a direct message. Use it to tell people when you are not monitoring. Again, you are not a machine. You need to recharge yourself as needed. #gsmchat https://t.co/raGoqQrkQz

— Mark Van Baale (@markvanbaale) October 1, 2020

A2. Using volunteers to monitor comments and have them send up anything questionable could be helpful. #gsmchat

— Sarah Gamblin-Luig (@CommsDom) October 1, 2020

The pandemic has forced so many communicators to adapt, pivot and adapt some more this year. What’s your biggest tip you’d include in your pandemic playbook?

Q3: The #COVID19 pandemic has forced so many communicators to adapt to ever-changing situations. What’s your biggest tip you’d include in your pandemic playbook? #GSMChat pic.twitter.com/Wlr7unWhEY

— Government Social Media (@GovernmentSM) October 1, 2020

What do your peers say? Managing your self-care, dealing with information fatigue & finding unique ways to get your messaging across are key aspects of their playbooks.

A3. Follow UN sustainable development goals - don't be content poor, write for platform, borrow content from colleagues, energize content, have infrastructure in place & talk to your community. #gsmchat

— Marian Doucette (@iNeedArts) October 1, 2020

A3: Whether you're using infographics, creative pics, or graphics, your content has to be top notch and eye catching to break through the noise and oversaturation of information out there. #gsmchat

— Deputy Chief Chris Hsiung (@chMtnViewPD) October 1, 2020

A3: Information Fatigue. There's a fine line between good communication and a deluge. Not everything should have equal weight when so much information is coming and going daily. #gsmchat

— Shane (@savanapridi) October 1, 2020

A3: Take a lot of deep breaths. Check your posture and unclench your jaw. Make sure you have your people who can hear you vent, because we can only take so much negativity from staff and the public, while having to be kind and professional in return. #gsmchat pic.twitter.com/wIvcQF8BrQ

— ✨Jessica 🏠🧼😷 VanderKolk✨ (@jlvanderkolk) October 1, 2020

Speaking of self-care, what’s your best social self-care practices? Here’s what your peers want you to know:

Q4: #SocialGov self-care is so important, especially during 2020. What’re your best #SocialSelfCare practices? #GSMChat pic.twitter.com/jnUz2ZmIzV

— Government Social Media (@GovernmentSM) October 1, 2020

A4: Turn off your phone at times. Get outside away from technology. I go for long runs when I need to. Has helped me tremendously. #gsmchat https://t.co/KO4WmUzdw2

— Mark Van Baale (@markvanbaale) October 1, 2020

A4. Realize that you can't do it all. Go easy on yourself; sometimes good enough is really good enough! It doesn't have to be perfect. Also, try to set boundaries; you can't always do the "yes!" And breathe! #GSMChat

— Marian Doucette (@iNeedArts) October 1, 2020

A4. Get outside. Take your time off, this is a marathon and you have to get out of the office for a bit. And maybe fall in love with a calf. #gsmchat pic.twitter.com/IBRcZ7muXz

— Sarah Gamblin-Luig (@CommsDom) October 1, 2020

Deputy Chief Chris Hsiung with the Mountain View Police Department closed out the Social for Safety Conference with thoughts on why we do what we do, how we can support each other & how to be strong, be resilient and adaptable. Being there for each other is crucial, especially now. We asked the community to tag a peer & offer some words of encouragement. Thank you all!

Tagging @chMtnViewPD, @kristydalton22 & @jgilgenbach Go easy on yourselves. You're valuable #SocailGov peers who share much. Give yourselves grace to rest. #GSMChat

— Marian Doucette (@iNeedArts) October 1, 2020

A5: Thanks to @GovernmentSM and @kristydalton22 for building this network that helps us all stay connected. #gsmchat

— Shane (@savanapridi) October 1, 2020

A5: To all of the #socialgov communicators out there, thank you for your service and passion to inform our communities. You got this. 🙏 #gsmchat pic.twitter.com/7N9UfrpjES

— Deputy Chief Chris Hsiung (@chMtnViewPD) October 1, 2020

We appreciate the socialgov community supporting each other, sharing tips & helpful resources! For a full recap of the October 1, 2020, Government Social Media Chat, you can read through the whole chat on Wakelet. 

Government Social Media Chat is your chance to get advice and ideas from your government social media peers across the U.S. We e-meet on Twitter bi-weekly to unpack social media issues specific to the socialgov community, share thoughts through guided questions and destress together. Search “#GSMChat” on Twitter every other Thursday to join in. 

Best communicate with the public you serve by becoming a part of the free Government Social Media network — only available to full/part-time employees of government or educational institutions. Get access to socialgov-specific resources, like the COVID-19 SocialGov Hub group, and other organized content. Virtually collaborate with each other, share advice, get input, tips & more by joining the Government Social Media network today.