Ah, social media—the Wild West of marketing. Where a single post can either catapult your business to fame or send it tumbling into the digital abyss.
Having survived the trenches of social media warfare, I’ve seen enough facepalm moments to last a lifetime. Buckle up as we explore five epic social media blunders that went down in flames and extract valuable lessons to keep your own online presence cooking just right.
1. The #McDStories Catastrophe
McDonald’s once embarked on a well-intentioned campaign to share heartwarming customer experiences using the hashtag #McDStories. But instead of joyful anecdotes, McDonald’s was served a platter of customer complaints and horror stories. It turns out people had a lot to say, and not all of it was about how much they loved the fries.
Takeaway: Hashtags are a double-edged sword. Keep them simple and specific, and test them internally before unleashing them on the world.
2. The Starbucks #RaceTogether Fiasco
In 2015, Starbucks launched a campaign encouraging baristas to write “#RaceTogether” on coffee cups, sparking conversations about race relations. While well-intentioned, the campaign was criticized for being tone-deaf and impractical. After all, who’s ready to tackle such a heavy topic while waiting for their morning caffeine fix?
The backlash was swift, with the campaign quickly becoming a meme and a lesson in not forcing sensitive discussions in inappropriate settings.
Takeaway: Recognize your brand’s role. If you’re a pizzeria, stick to pepperoni debates, not politics. Know your strengths, and engage customers where it makes sense.
3. The Burger King’s Twitter Hack Attack
In 2013, hackers took over Burger King’s Twitter account, rebranding it as McDonald’s and posting a flurry of inappropriate tweets.
It took a while for Burger King to regain control, leaving followers bewildered and amused by the chaos.
Takeaway: Security is no joke. Ensure your social media accounts have robust passwords and two-factor authentication. Think of it as keeping your secret sauce recipe safe.
4. The Tone-Deaf Tweet – Pepsi’s Kendall Jenner Ad
Pepsi tried to tackle social justice issues with a commercial featuring Kendall Jenner that was supposed to bring people together with a can of soda. What they got was a firestorm of criticism for trivializing important issues. It was a lesson in reading the room—or, in this case, the global stage.
Takeaway: Ensure your messages are sensitive to the cultural and social climate, and always test your content with diverse perspectives before launching.
5. The Cultural Misstep – Dolce & Gabbana’s Chopsticks Ad
Dolce & Gabbana released an ad showing a Chinese model struggling to eat Italian food with chopsticks. It was intended to be humorous but was perceived as culturally insensitive, leading to a fierce backlash in the Chinese market.
Takeaway: Cultural sensitivity is key. Understand the nuances of the cultures you’re engaging with and get it right the first time.
Navigating the land of likes and shares can feel like walking a tightrope over a vat of boiling marinara. But remember, even the most seasoned chefs make mistakes. What’s important is how you bounce back.
Learn from these blunders, prepare for the unexpected, and always keep a pinch of humor in your pocket. After all, in the world of social media, yesterday’s flop could become tomorrow’s viral sensation—with the right spin.
Now, go forth and post wisely!
Are you confused, mystified, or frustrated about how to use social media to attract more new customers and return your existing customers quicker, spending more?
Great news!
I’m putting on a Masterclass Tuesday September 24 on how to use social media to pack your restaurant with hungry customers AND get your existing customers back quicker spending more.
And actually be able to track those customers on your social media posts. Wouldn’t that be nice?
We are capping registration to 100 people and then shutting it down. Registering now is FREE.
Join us and finally solve the mystery of how to make sales using social media for your restaurant.
Michael Thibault
Known as “The Done For You Marketing Guy for Restaurants.” International Speaker on Restaurant Marketing. Published contributing author of 4 Marketing Books. Industry expert on Google Searches and Review Sites. Recovering Independent Restaurant Owner and Caterer of over 21 years. And, all-around good guy.
