Social Media Can Bite You in the Backside

I wrote a few years ago several white papers, e.g., “25 Tips for Renewable Energy Businesses,” in which I provided tips for cleantech companies, focusing largely on marketing.  A point I highlighted a couple of times was the use of social media, in particular, making sure you attempts to create viral content don’t backfire. 

An example I provided was McDonald’s attempt to solicit nostalgia and good feeling by asking people to post their first experiences at the fast-food behemoth.  I’m sure the guy who conceived the idea thought he’d get lots of anecdotes of Dads’ taking their little kids there after little league games, etc.  Instead came a barrage of stories like “I remember when I first learned that McDonald’s was destroying the Amazon rain forest,” and “I recall the time I found part of a dead rat in my Quarter Pounder.”

Now, it may be impossible to avoid situations like these completely.  Anyone who’s never gotten into trouble has never attempted to accomplish anything extraordinary.  But at least take this bit of advice: Don’t walk right into a buzz-saw. 

Fox News heavyweight Sean Hannity foolishly asked people to list President Trump’s most important accomplishments in his first 100 days.  What could possibly go wrong?  Check this out.