Coronavirus: 75 Helpful Social Media Post Ideas for Chambers of Commerce

Coming up with things to post on social media is tough under the best of circumstances. But if there’s one thing the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 has given us, it’s that there is a great need for reliable information.

In addition to up-to-the-minute accurate information, people want entertainment and a break from the reality that none of us can believe has happened.

This is an ideal time for your chamber of commerce, with all your events canceled and people spending hours on the internet, to get your audience’s attention and do something helpful for the community.

It’s almost impossible right now to post too much if you’re posting high quality, accurate, timely, or entertaining information and content.

Still, if you’re like most of us, you may be paralyzed by the decision of what is worth sharing and what isn’t. 

Before sharing anything of a serious nature, make sure it comes from a credible source, is up to date (things change in a matter of hours), and is applicable to your community.

Here are some solid suggestions for coronavirus social media post ideas.

1. Local information. The virus is hitting each of our communities differently and each has its own guidelines and restrictions. Make sure you’re posting local information as much as possible. Pay attention to your local government calendar. If they announce an emergency meeting at 5 p.m., watch their page for livestreams and/or results of that meeting. In addition to local government pages, your local newspaper or local Facebook group may be sharing good resources at this time.
2. State and federal information. If there are live feeds from the governor or the White House, you can host a watch party on Facebook.
3. Your county economic development organization. This group will keep a close eye on business loans and other programs available to help struggling businesses.
4. The Chamber Professionals group on Facebook. This group is an excellent source for creative things other chambers are doing. In the past week, there have been scavenger hunt examples, bingo games, memes, engaging questions, and many other ideas that can be tailored to your audience.
5. The CDC and the World Health Organization.  When you feel the need to share credible information about the virus itself, these groups provide some excellent resources. For every one of these that you share, make sure you’re sharing other things as well. Too many of these kinds of posts can be overwhelming for most people.
6. Mental health help in your community. If you have a member who is a psychiatrist or other mental health care provider they may have good resources for you and may be sharing valuable information that can help. 
7. Free resources for online learning. There are a lot out there right now.
8. Free virtual field trips. There are many museums, zoos, and national parks that are offering free tours.
9. Free workout programs. Many adults put off exercise because they don’t think they have the time. Guess what a lot of us have now? Bingo! Exercise not only helps get us healthier but can improve our mental outlook and decrease stress. Down Dog is just one example of a temporarily free exercise app.
10. Nonprofit needs. While this seems contrary to what you might think in a time where so many people need help, sometimes learning about causes you can support can help you feel better about your own life. Often we just need a distraction and helping someone else can make us feel better.
11. Create an “I  need and I have” board or post. There may be people in your community that have an overabundance of one thing and a great need for another. This can work for services too. Act as a bridge and help connect people to get their needs filled.
12. Lists of businesses that are open and the specials they’re offering.
13. Places in your community that offer free lunch for kids who are out of school.
14. Free streaming services.
15. Online and live-streaming concerts/songs. A lot of singers are taking part in a self-proclaimed “songs from home” series and some are live streaming from their living rooms or kitchens. Don’t forget your local bands and singers. Share their information as well. They may be able to build a new following during this.
16. A helpful thought or tip each day.
17. An inspirational quote from a person who has also gone through a difficult time. Share the quote and tell their story. I saw a reminder this morning that Anne Frank was in hiding for over 25 months.
18. Ask for suggestions for binge-worthy TV shows.
19. Invite people to post pictures of what they’re reading.
20. Ask what the funniest thing is that they’ve ever asked Siri or Alexa.
21. Share favorite recipes.
22. Share a post about kitchen substitutions. For instance, if you don’t have buttermilk you can use a tablespoon of lemon juice in a cup of milk. You could create a helpful infographic with this information as people are doing more cooking now.
23. Post the hours of operation for grocery stores and other stores still open.
24. Host a virtual cocktail hour or business after hours.
25. Host a virtual lunch and learn.
26. Create a fun and easy craft project for children. Broadcast it live so parents have one more thing that can fill their child’s day with.
27. Post a list of activities for bored kids.
28. Create a list of businesses running specials or offering special services. For example, a car dealer is offering free delivery to people who want to buy cars right now. The Monticello Chamber created a Facebook group for takeout and delivery options.
29. Create a video on how to create a basic Facebook page, group, or website. Small businesses that have been putting off social media or developing their own web page may have more time on their hands right now. They may now be starting to understand how having a virtual home for their business is essential to staying on people’s minds. If you don’t feel equipped to do this, ask a member to help.
30. Tips for working from home.
31. Tips for stress relief.
32. Yoga stretches and meditations.
33. Pictures and videos of baby goats. People always need these.
34. Nostalgic or silly stories about when you or your kids thought you had it hard.
35. Request to see pictures of people’s pets.
36. Run a photo contest for the coolest home office/set up.
37. Funny substitutions for toilet paper, which leads us to…
38. Reminders of what you shouldn’t flush down the toilet.
39. Videos of waterfalls in slow motion. You wouldn’t believe how relaxing these can be.
40. “Caption this photo” pictures. People have a lot of time on their hands right now. You could get some very inventive comments.
41. Invite people to share their favorite vacation photos with stories about where they visited and what made those places stand out for them.
42. Job opportunities. There are some companies that are hiring right now. Share that information. Talk with places like grocery stores and distribution centers that may need extra help right now.
43. Nonprofit and for-profit groups that are offering help.  For instance, Spectrum is offering free internet to non-customers and has made its Wi-Fi hotspots free/no need to log on. Duke Energy is not turning off electricity for lack of payment right now.
44. Information about companies that are doing the right thing. Some people are paying their hourly workers even though they’re not able to work and some companies like H.E.B  are giving their employees a temporary pay increase for their dedication during this difficult time.
45. Encourage people to buy gift certificates. Share a list of businesses offering them.
46. Thank those people in your community who are going above and beyond right now like grocery employees, healthcare professionals, first responders, daycare workers, etc. you can even create a spotlight for individuals, share their stories, and thank them for their efforts.
47. Exercise challenges.
48. Favorite music. Invite others to share. Julie Mancini from the Dunellon Chamber and Business Association suggests “a daily post of a YouTube song to make a “virus playlist” (I Will Survive, Stayin’ Alive, etc).”
49. Encourage journaling. You could post a daily prompt although most people won’t have a problem thinking of topics right now.
50. A list of best podcasts or audiobooks.
51. Natural/DIY cleaning supply recipes.
52. A list of distilleries or breweries that are offering free hand sanitizer.
53. Information on fostering a pet during the pandemic. There’s a great need at our shelters and there’s nothing more soothing than the love and comfort of animals.
54. Ask your audience about their guilty pleasure. You can give it some parameters such as their favorite guilty pleasure food or television show.
55. Share the things you’re most thankful for. Encourage others to do the same. 
56. Drone footage of beautiful places.
57. Request for how you can help.
58. Sewing patterns for making an N95-type mask. Healthcare providers are facing a shortage.
59. Stories of landlords deferring rent for local businesses. Highlight their generosity.
60. Favorite board games.
61. Create a parody of a song reflecting our new normal. You can even crowdsource the song by asking people to come up with the next line.  Bonus points if they create a video and sing it to you.
62. Ideas for improving oneself during this “down”  time.
63. Favorite online games.
64. Favorite apps.
65. Encourage people to write reviews of businesses.
66. Interesting pictures from long ago. 
67. Writing prompts for those people we have long wanted to write their first book.
68. Brain teasers.
69. Introvert and extrovert memes.
70. Information about free stories online. Audible and Calm are both offering (some) free stories during this time.
71. Pictures of local beauty.
72. Social media posting tips.
73. Funny virus memes but be sensitive to those struggling with the illness. Keep your choices to poking fun at the silly things we do, not at the danger of the virus itself.
74. Questions/polls about events. With more people turning to social media now is a good time to get honest answers about the chamber events they liked and the ones they didn’t.  
75. Funny fashion tips for rocking the stay-at-home look.

It’s going to take a while to get back to being able to spend time together less than six feet apart. Until then, we can continue to connect online.

Here’s an article we’ve written with more ideas on the types of stories your chamber needs to tell during this time.

Now is the ideal time to become part of an online habit for people in your community. They need information, assistance, and entertainment. If you provide those things, the engagement you’re likely to receive right now, won’t disappoint.

UPDATE March 2021: As communities across the U.S. begin to open up, a new idea called “immunity nights” has been proposed and we’ve provided some considerations for your chamber and community.

By: Christina R. Metcalf