We are Community Managers (CMs) on the Khoros Strategic Services team. To honor Mental Health Awareness Month, we wanted to share some key learnings and helpful tips for navigating being in the weeds of social media, while also taking care of your mental health.
In this role, we act as the bridge between a brand and the communities they serve. We’re on the frontline of digital connection - serving as the voice of the community through the lens of the customer. Throughout 2020, building connections virtually with communities and customers became more important than ever. From driving engagement during quarantine to protecting communities and providing safe spaces during the BLM movement and the election season, the role of a CM was vital in helping brands and their communities navigate the “new normal”.
In a time when a new crisis seems to pop up every month, or every week for that matter, it can be difficult to take space from social media and the 24-hour news cycle. As part of the role of a community manager, you may find yourself monitoring and hiding extremely sensitive information, imagery, and interactions to protect the community. Through all of this, it’s important to recognize when you need to step away and care of your own mental health. The best way you can support your communities is by supporting yourself in the process.
Here are a few tips that we’ve uncovered to find a balance between our role in social media and self-care:
1. Make a plan
At the onset of a crisis - planning is the best way to be sure you’re prepared for whatever may come next. Though you may have a crisis response plan in place to address the basics, the below steps can help you iterate in real-time so that your team is ready to hit the ground running.
2. Set boundaries and make space for breaks
During a crisis, boundaries across your moderation schedule and areas of responsibility, can help to protect your mental health. They serve to preserve physical and emotional energy, to help stay focused on your personal values and standards, and to identify your limits.
3. Lean on your team, your manager and your mentors
90% of employees say they perform better when their company supports their emotional wellness. In times of crisis, proactive communication around your work as well as your mental health is crucial in ensuring you have the support you need. Don’t be scared to ask for help. Things you can do:
Community managers love few things more than the communities we foster and support. The job can be rewarding and educational, but can also be triggering in moments of trauma. It is important to find the proper balance between supporting a brand, a community, and yourself. In prioritizing mental health each and every day, community managers can proactively ensure that work-induced effects on mental health do not become a crisis in and of itself.
In the comments below, let us know ways you prioritize your mental wellness while supporting your brand.
Keep an eye out for the next installment of our Mental Health series, Managing Mental Health as a Community Manager: Nurturing Connection.
You must be a registered user to add a comment. If you've already registered, sign in. Otherwise, register and sign in.