Reset password:

Social Spamming a Disaster

Written by on September 10, 2010

Updated: As you are probably aware, there were a big gas explosion and ongoing firestorm in the San Francisco suburb San Bruno. It is a terrible tragedy, but that didn't stop a local coffee shop from taking advantage of the whole ordeal by to promote their shop.

A short while after the explosion, they tweeted:

Not surprisingly, people's reacting was prompt and immediate, with tons of angry tweeters telling their friends to boycott them.

Onyx first tried to correct their mistake (quite badly). By tweeting "A lil hott from the fire in San Bruno?? Come cool off with a drink at Onyx Cafe!! here to discuss the fire!"

...but later had to close the shop.

Now this is another obvious case of how not to use social channels. You simply do not take advantage of a disaster. If people are suffering, you help them. You don't ask them to come and buy your products.

What Onyx Cafe should have done was to open up the coffee shop as a relief center. Give people a place to stay, find their friends - and don't ask them for money. Give away all your coffee or cold water for free to whomever needs it.

Disasters are not marketing events!

People remember those who tried to take advantage of them in a time of need, and they also remember the ones who stepped in to help.

---

Update: Onyx Cafe make amends for yesterdays blunder. First apologizing, and later offering to match people's donations to the Red Cross.

Share on

Thomas Baekdal

Thomas Baekdal

Founder of Baekdal, author, writer, strategic consultant, and new media advocate.

Follow    

Baekdal PLUS: Premium content that helps you make the right decisions, take the right actions, and focus on what really matters.

There is always more...

It's a Magical Life »

Two New Books From Baekdal Plus »

New feed for 'What You Need To Know' »

The Shift - My Next Book »

Social Commerce Book Introduction »

3 Way Street - Illustrating Traffic Problems »

10 Ways to Cultivate Your Community »

IPad Stand for Your Hammock »

The Panda Run »

Twitter, you know, there is this thing called mobile »

A Gawker Redesign Moment »

One Million Thanks! »