4) Team Lightship: Tweeting Empathy
In our introduction, we briefly understood an introduction to how social media-based marketing at 7 Cups uses a project called Team Lightship.
In this discussion, we will understand how the Lightship initiative works in terms of using tweets for spreading awareness, support, as well as 7 Cups content and other service information. We will also learn how the Twitter platform can be used to outreach to people requiring and in search of mental health support, in order to ensure that mental health is not ignored or stigmatized on social media.
(i) Using Tweets to Spread Awareness, Support, and Content/Service Information:
As previously discussed, the goal of Lightship is to use social media to reach out to those in need using kind and empathetic messages.
General tips include:
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What you tweet about should reflect the compassionate, supportive, and kind community that 7 Cups is. Use your best judgment.
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View your Team Lightship account as a force for good, and for spreading the 7 Cups mission and values.
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Feel free to discuss emotions, situations, and topics that often occur on 7 Cups.
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You might also want to post/retweet quotes or pictures, and that’s 100% okay! Just remember that reaching out to people should be a priority. Think of how social media graphics can be used in that sense, to engage people.
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Note: Lightship uses referral links (found on your dashboard page under the list of chats) to direct users to the 7 Cups site.
Tips in regards to which areas or services of 7 Cups you can mention (apart from the general fact about 1:1 or group chats!): Self-Help Guides, Expert Articles, Free Mindfulness Exercises.
Sample Tweets:
Having a tough time? Don't keep it all inside. If you want to talk, we're here to listen 24/7 #7Cups https://www.7cups.com/17156123 #MentalHealthMatters
Need inspiration from people who have overcome Postnatal Depression? Read these stories of women using their recovery to aid others! https://www.7cups.com/experts/postnatal-depression-recovery
(ii) Using Twitter to Outreach People Seeking Support:
The following steps are helpful ways to identify and respond to people seeking support:
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Search for Keywords
Some keywords or hashtags can prominently help search for people in need of support.
Note: The following and other mental health-related tags on social media platforms can contain potentially triggering content.
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Prominent Tags: need to vent, need a friend, feeling lonely, anxious, and depressed.
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Other Tags Examples:
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#depressed #anxious #depression #mentalhealth (high volume tags)
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#needtotalk
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#bullying
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#chronicpain #chroniclife
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#coping
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#peersupport
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#selfcare
Note: These keywords or hashtags can also be used in your own tweets to help ensure visibility and engagement.
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Reply to Tweets
After your search for important hashtags and keywords, when you find someone who has tweeted using one of those tags, and looks to be in need of support, reach out to them! Respond to their tweet with a message that includes information about how 7 Cups can support them.
Activity
Using what you learned about the Lightship protocol:
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Create one general hypothetical tweet that is supportive and compassionate.
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Respond to this Tweet using the outreaching tips:
3. Reply to one other student’s responses for both (1) and (2) and offer a review about their response: don’t forget to mention strengths as well as improvements they can make!
Please do not forget to personally save your activity answers as well as your reply to another user’s answer (recommended on Google Doc or other means) as you will be asked to share this for your Weekly Progress Report.
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This post is brought to you by the Content Development and Marketing Program, find out more information about the program here
General tweet: Finding life a bit overwhelming right now? Try this self-guided meditation https://www.7cups.com/exercises/mindfulness/?showlist=1
Response to tweet: I know #covid can be difficult as it is such a change to our lives. If you're finding it a bit overwhelming, please feel free to talk to one of us over on 7Cups, where you can find active listeners who will emphasize and listen to any of your frustrations. Find us here: https://www.7cups.com/dashboard/
@amybrit10
1: straight to the point and I love it ^^ great that you added a link :)
2: it's a nice replay. explains what 7 cups offers :3
improvement: I'm not sure if the mediation link is for anyone who is not a member so make sure it is accessible even without membership as it could lead to a misunderstanding if someone says "I can't access it"
overall: wonder job :)
@amybrit10
Nice concise supportive tweet! And your Covid response is great. It reflects nicely back to support at 7cups. Good job!
@amybrit10
The tweet is to the point, and have helpful resource to interest the audience to 7 cups. Howerver you could try more incorporation hashtags. Great effort.
The response is compassionate and you have responded with 7 cups link, which would be helpful for the reader to find help easily, however try hyperlinking the web links instead of pasting them in full text, this will improve the readability of your responses.
@SoulfullyAButterfly
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Create one general hypothetical tweet that is supportive and compassionate.
Struggling with Mental health? looking for someone to listen to? join 7cups.com for our group chats and sharing circle <3 #supportgroup #needtotalk #mentalhealth
2: #covid has affected everyone. Mental health has been a struggle during the pandemic. Feel free to join 7cups to find support in our sharing circle, listeners from around the world, and even professional therapists. we also have resources for crisis emergencies. Sign-up is free at 7cups.com #mentalhealth #7cups
Love your theoretical tweet responses. Concise yet powerful!
@Vivikun9 Great tweet response, Vivi! I love that you mentioned the sharing circle! That was definitely a great thing to include. If I was in that person's shoes, I would totally reach out to you because of your sweet response.
General Tweet:
Got #NewYearsResolutions for 2023 but lacking #motivation and #accountability? 7cups.com/1198523 has your back with listeners ready to offer peer support 24/7!
Response to Tweet:
The anxiety of living through a pandemic is so real and isolating. Connect with a listener on 7cups.com/1198523 for peer support! You are not alone in your anxiety
@InvaderStitch
I liked how concise both of your tweets were. And the response tweet was also validating. I liked how you used hashtags. Perhaps you could also use more general hashtags like #mentalhealth along? Also, I copy pasted the link that you gave, it redirects me to "my dashboard" so I am not sure how other users or people who have never been on the platform will be redirected to. I think that aspect can be looked into. Overall, you did a great job considering how this has been a challenge for you. Btw, this was also my first time creating tweets :)
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Create one general hypothetical tweet that is supportive and compassionate.
Tweet:
Knowing you are not alone. Talking today can make all the difference. Come check in with a free listener today. #needtotalk #mental health https://www.7cups.com/13430466
Explanation:
My main focus for this general tweet was to get referral clicks. I focused on a clear call to action. Showing the compassion and supportive nature of our community was also important, as this was this activity's main goal. Finally, I chose two hashtags with a history with 7 Cups along with showing signs of trending in the field. In editing, I checked my characters to stay under the 280 maximum. Overall I learned that this sort of outreach is very much like writing copy for an advertisement with the bonus that it is a free service. 😂 Definitely had fun with this activity.
Respond to this Tweet using the outreaching tips:
Tweet response:
#anxiety can be so overwhelming and scary. I'm sorry you're experiencing that. Especially when walking for #stressrelief, disrespect can be frustrating. @7cups we pride ourselves in our community and foster respect in our connections. Come on by https://www.7cups.com/13430466
Eplanation:
In recognizing that I would respond to this tweet similarly to a 1:1 chat, I empathized with the tweeter and responded with compassion. I avoided advice and focused more on kindly inviting. I used hashtags that naturally came up in the text and stuck with the same personal link as my goal was to get a referral click. I edited it down to 274 characters and this was difficult.
@broadfemmelovelive
Tweet: I love how you included a link in the tweet and the hashtags are a good choice. it also enforces your acknowledgment that no one is alone regarding mental health.
response tweet: hmm it's good that you're showing an empathic answer in the response. it does help to relate what they're feeling. one note would be if there were mention of how covid affected everyone then it can bring the answer to a complete understanding of how covid has affected everyone.
Overall, I like what you wrote ^^
@Vivikun9
Thanks so much!
@SoulfullyAButterfly
1. General, hypothetical post. Make each day your day, do at least one thing that makes you happy. You deserve it. #self-worth
@purpleAcres4174
2. Reply to Covid concerns: It can be hard when you feel you cannot control the environment around you. Are you wearing an NF95 mask or better to protect the air you breathe? Have you watched to see if there are routes or times of the day when a walk would be less crowded? Can you take your dog with you? People may give you more space if you have your dog.
@SoulfullyAButterfly
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Create one general hypothetical tweet that is supportive and compassionate.
Are you #Feeling down constantly, do you feel #Depressed and #Anxious all the time. Don't worry you are not #alone. We at 7cups.com offer #free #support and a #safe space to express yourself.
Respond to this Tweet using the outreaching tips:
I am sorry to hear that you are feeling #anxious amid the #covid situation. It's very natural to feel the way you are feeling. There a lot of #uncertainities associated with the pandemic and the #health concerns are serious. If you are feeling #overwhelmed we at 7cups.com offer free community and listening service, where you can vent out your feelings, #safely and #anonymously.
@Jish07541
Hi Jish, here is my feedback for you, hope it helps 🌺
1) I like how your general tweet is short and supportive, and how you incorporated the 7cups link and other hashtag keywords in your supportive sentence 🌻
However, when asking a question, make sure you add a question mark - i.e., "do you feel #Depressed and #Anxious all the time (insert "?"). You could even add emojis if you'd like, it brings a human element in it 😊
2) Again, you incorporated the 7cups link and keywords into your sentence, so good job! The tweet is empathetic, validates the feelings of the person and suggests 7cups as a safe space to vent 😊
Do remember to check grammar and spellings before posting - i.e., There (insert "are") a lot of #uncertainities (when the keyword has a spelling error, it affects the outreach of your tweet). Also, as mentioned above, you could use emojis 💛
@SoulfullyAButterfly
1) Hypothetical tweet :
Feeling depressed, anxious, stressed and not having anyone to talk to? Here is an easily accessible platform that offers support to people for free 😊 : https://www.7cups.com/ Feel free to visit our safe space if you'd like help regarding your #mental health 🌻 #7cups #help
2) Outreach tweet :
Hey, I can definitely relate to how you feel regarding the lack of social distancing, especially with our experiences with #covid so far 🙁 Since you mentioned feeling anxious, you could check this link on covid support & tips if you'd like 🌻 #7cups https://www.7cups.com/covid/
@GloriaD
Your hypothetical tweet leads with a question which is a strong choice. It mentions the accessibility and free cost of 7 Cups which will draw many people in. It is good that you included a link. As well as use high-yield keywords such as #mentalhealth—also, good use of emojis. In terms of improvement, you could remove one of the adjectives in the question to make it more concise.
Great that you showed your active listening skills by relating to the person who posted the tweet. You used emojis and keywords. Also, you referred them back to 7 cups. In terms of improvement, I think you could link an expert article that ties into covid, health anxiety and social distancing.
Great work 🎉
@SoulfullyAButterfly
1. Overwhelmed by the thoughts in your head? Feeling anxious? Need a venting partner? You are not alone. Help is available. Reach out to 7 Cups to talk to a trained active listener. #anxious #depressed #youareenough #yourenotthethoughtsinyourhead #supportisavailable 7cups.com
2. Dealing with health anxiety and stressors during the pandemic is hard. Walking can be a way to distress but is it hard if we are focused on things outside of our control. Is there a way that you can go to a low traffic location? Support is available if you need to talk, visit 7cups.com today. Here is a guided mediation to try out. Quick & Easy Meditation Guide for Beginners - Five Minute Breathing
@Heavenlyhorizons
Hi Horizons, I really like these tweets. I think someone will be comforted by them
-Walkalot, 7cups CDM mentor
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Create one general hypothetical tweet that is supportive and compassionate.
Rest your worries on us. We always have a shoulder for you to cry on. https://www.7cups.com #MentalHealth #MentalSupport #Compassion #VolunteerListeners #7Cups #ShoulderToCryOn #Tea #Rest #Worry #Anxiety #Depression #Gratefulness #WeAreHere #Help
Respond to this Tweet using the outreaching tips:
That's a very reasonable worry. Let's discuss more about it and find some solutions together over a cup of (virtual) tea. https://www.7cups.com #MentalHealth #MentalSupport #Compassion #VolunteerListeners #7Cups #Tea #Rest #Worry #Anxiety #WeAreHere #Help
1. You've identified many key words. However, I feel like the amount you're trying to use in this tweet is overwhelming to the point where it's distracting the reader away from the key message. Some along the lines of "Find comfort with us. A shoulder to cry on, always. #MentalHealth #Support #VolunteerListeners #7Cups" would be an example of a nice balance.
2. This is a really creative response. However I feel like those who aren't aware of 7cups, won't understand what they're supposed to do with the link you've added. With everyone super vigilant of all links being sent around now a days, a clear call to action would be nice. Some along the lines of "Take a break from worries. Connect with a listener at 7Cups.com now. #MentalHealth #Support #ReachOut" just as an example.