In today’s business environment, companies move at a rapid pace to provide customers with the best products and services—especially on social media. In times of a national or worldwide crisis when an event dominates online conversations, you need to be conscientious of what your company says on social channels—your own and others. A tweet that promotes your brand or uses inappropriate language during a sensitive situation can result in backlash from your customers, which could not only impact your reputation, but also affect sales.

To maintain a positive social image and relationship with customers, here are five social media best practices to consider during a crisis:

1. Review scheduled posts immediately. If you use a system to schedule posts in advance, review scheduled posts from both corporate and personal accounts immediately. Don’t use inappropriate words for the situation and avoid communications that could be...