Social Media Tools
Introduction
As you build or improve your program for integrating social media with emergency management (SMEM), you have many choices of tools to help you use your social media (SM) channels more efficiently and effectively. These tools are often referred to as social media management software (SMMS), which consists of a suite of tools designed for managing and analyzing social interactions on SM channels. SMMS products typically provide a single dashboard that covers multiple SM channels or accounts. This is helpful for organizations that manage their presence on different channels. It is also helpful for agencies that manage social profiles for multiple customers, clients, or stakeholders. For the purpose of this discussion, we will use “SM tools” when referring more generally to these types of products.
We have tailored this discussion to be airport specific. As you read this, keep in mind that your choice of tool(s) will be dependent on your operational needs, business objectives, staffing, technical support, and funding. This resource will help guide you through the process of determining the right tools for your specific needs, covering the following areas:
If your airport already has a set of SM tools it uses, review this section as a refresher on the types of tools and as an opportunity to evaluate whether your tools will meet your needs for integration with emergency management (EM).
Note: as you read this section, understand that the ACRP does not endorse or recommend any specific vendor’s product above another’s. Many other online resources will point you to the “best of” any type of tool we describe below. Instead, this section guides you in identifying the features, functions, and benefits that you can use in selecting any particular product.
