What is the critical first step when monitoring for a potential crisis situation on X?

The critical first step when monitoring for a potential crisis situation on X is to establish a comprehensive monitoring system that tracks relevant keywords, brand mentions, and industry-related terms in real-time. This involves setting up tools to listen for specific words and phrases that might indicate a developing issue, such as your brand name, product names, common misspellings, and related industry keywords. This monitoring system needs to be active 24/7 to capture early warning signs of a potential crisis, such as a sudden surge in negative mentions or a coordinated attack on your brand. Without this real-time monitoring, you risk being caught off guard and unable to respond effectively, allowing the crisis to escalate unchecked. The focus is on proactive detection of potential issues before they become widespread crises.