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Be smart on social: You’re one of us

February 27, 2018 by Web Strategy and Development

Smartphones and keys scattered on a maroon table

Here’s our best advice for managing your personal social media accounts when you work at Missouri State (or any other organization):

Listen to Dwight Schrute.

“Whenever I’m about to do something, I think, ‘Would an idiot do that?’ And if they would, I do not do that thing.”

– Dwight Schrute, “The Office,” Season 3, Episode 17

In other words, use common sense.

You may represent the university when you use your personal social media accounts. So keep it as clean and positive as possible. Post nothing derogatory, sexist, racist, or otherwise offensive.

Our office has updated the brand social media guidelines to reflect other recommendations for your personal social media accounts, including how to add a “disclaimer” in your account bio.

Filed Under: Social media, web strategy and development Tagged With: facebook, instagram, Social Media, Twitter, Web, web and new media

Recap: Making Your Statement in a Digital World – Sept. 29, 2017

October 3, 2017 by Kai Raymer

person on laptop

We recently presented Making Your Statement in a Digital World, a comprehensive training session for Missouri State website, blog and social media managers.

Still have questions or need help?

We’re hosting two post-training open labs, to answer your questions and provide support. Please join us. No preregistration is required.

Key details

  • Dates: Friday, Oct. 27 and Friday, Nov. 10
  • Time: 2-4 p.m., both dates
  • Location: Meyer Library 106 Cheek Hall 100
  • About: Both sessions will be held in conjunction with the Web Help Desk open lab.

Access the presentations

The Sept. 29 training session was presented in four parts.

  • Readability
  • Blogging
  • Accessibility
  • Social media and visual platforms
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Visual (YouTube, Instagram, aggregators, Snapchat)

wideshot of people walking on campus

Key takeaways

Readability

  • Use concise text and a scannable layout to make your content more readable. Put the most important information at the top.
  • Always ask, “how does this look on mobile?” Current and future students are researching your department/program on their phones.
  • Write less, people will read more. People will read more of a 300-word article than they will a 600-word article.
  • No one wants to put extra effort into reading. Seventy percent of people read at an intermediate (middle school) level. Newspapers aim for a 7th grade reading level.
  • Headings, bulleted lists and visual elements. Use them.
  • The YoastSEO plugin for WordPress is a great tool for improving your writing.
  • Improving your content readability has many benefits, including audience reach and audience action.

Blogging

  • Does your blog tell a story? Who is speaking in your story and how are you conveying that meaning? It’s important to start in the action and develop some sort of conflict that is resolved.
  • Be sure you are defining your audience; alumni, faculty, staff, and/or students?
  • Utilize the formatting strategies from readability while adding photography and pull quotes.
  • Update your blog with engaging stories at least once a month, if not more.

Students taking photo with Boomer

Accessibility

  • Accessibility means people with disabilities can use and navigate your website.
  • There are federal guidelines for accessibility. MSU, which receives federal funding, falls under WCAG 2.0 Level AA.
  • Think of your website as a public space (i.e. a courthouse or city hall). Make accommodations for all.
  • Accessibility overlaps with readability and best practices for websites. Having an accessible website means your website is better overall.
  • Alt text, headings and descriptive links are crucial for accessibility. Our Accessibility blog series also covers these topics, and more.

Social media and visual platforms

  • Share human – don’t be afraid to act like a human and interact with your audience one-on-one.
  • Set up a Facebook business account where people can find your contact information. Be prepared to respond to their questions.
  • Think visual – when on location for an event share raw photos, but when promoting the event utilize photo services to help boost your presence.
  • Video is king across all platforms. Be sure to add captioning for accessibility and to increase views.
  • Measure your success based off the goals your team sets: more followers, increased engagement, more views, etc. Keep a log of your analytics so you can compare data from previous years.

Students in computer lab

Filed Under: Accessibility, News, Social media, Training, Web Press, web strategy and development, WordPress blogs Tagged With: Accessibility, aggregators, blog, blogging, Blogs, content, facebook, instagram, presentations, readability, snapchat, Social Media, Training, Twitter, Web, web and new media, YouTube

5 ways to engage with Missouri State using social during Welcome Weekend

August 9, 2017 by Alyson Epperson

Students at Welcome Weekend

Once we meet, then we tweet

Missouri State holds the trophy for funniest Twitter in Springfield. Follow your university for the best GIFs, tips and Welcome Weekend coverage. Tell the Twitterverse how much you love your university with #GoMaroon.

Students at Playfair

Make new memories on Snapchat

Add Missouri State on Snapchat to discover where the action is happening during Welcome Weekend. Show off your photogenic campus by using the Missouri State filters! Save them to your memories because this will be a weekend worth remembering.

snapchat code

Join the live Bear Path

Join us live on Facebook at 3 p.m. Aug. 20 as we walk through Bear Path! You will not want to miss this energetic welcome from the Missouri State faculty, staff and students.

Students at Bear Path

Insta-this!

Follow Missouri State on Instagram for the best photos of students, campus and all things Missouri State. These photos will stop your scroll and demand a heart. Use the #GoMaroon to share your photos and start your collection as a Bear.

Students take a selfie

Watch for our cameras, too!

If you put your phone down to take in this unforgettable weekend – don’t worry, all of it will be captured for you. Video cameras might catch you moving into your new home, high-fiving friends at Playfair and smiling every moment in between. Don’t believe us? Watch this.

Filed Under: web strategy and development Tagged With: facebook, instagram, snapchat, Social Media, Twitter, welcome weekend

Social Media Kit: Welcome Weekend 2017

August 3, 2017 by Web Strategy and Development

Welcome Weekend 2017 introduces new Bears to campus life and welcomes returning students back to campus. Highlights of the weekend include Playfair on Friday, Bear Bash on Saturday, and New Student Convocation, Bear Path and the Belong-B-Q on Sunday.

Key details

  • What: Welcome Weekend 2017
  • When: Thursday, Aug. 17 – Sunday, Aug. 20
  • Where: All over campus

Share your story

The best Welcome Weekend stories come from those who live it. When you attend any of the weekend events, we want to hear about your experience. We encourage you to join the online conversation throughout by posting about it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and tagging your posts with the official hashtag: #GoMaroon

Make your post social media savvy

  • Tag posts with the official Welcome Weekend hashtag: #GoMaroon
  • Whenever possible, tag Missouri State University or @missouristate
  • To provide a link for more information on the event, please link to http://www.missouristate.edu/welcome/
  • When you post to Facebook, boost your update by including a photo or video.
  • Nothing beats a first-hand perspective. When you attend a Welcome Weekend event, consider sharing a photo from or quote about your experience. Images below are pre-cropped for optimal use on Facebook and Twitter.

Visual assets

Facebook cover photos

Brand your departmental and personal social media accounts with these cover photo options.

Welcome Weekend Facebook cover Welcome Weekend Facebook cover

Twitter cover photos

Brand your departmental and personal social media accounts with these cover photo options.

Welcome Weekend Twitter header Welcome Weekend Twitter header

Instagram

Welcome Weekend Instagram image

Snapchat

Look for our geofilter on Snapchat — sponsored by Traditions Council — while you’re on campus.

Snapchat Geofilter

Video

GIFs

We have almost 100 Missouri State GIFs available on GIPHY. Discover how to utilize them on Twitter and other social media platforms.

Sample social media posts

  • Move-in is almost here. Learn more about making the move to MSU. http://bit.ly/1APw9g8 #GoMaroon
  • #GoMaroon at MSU during Welcome Weekend. Check out the lineup of great events: http://bit.ly/1pNX0Dt
  • Kick off the new school year at Bear Bash Aug. 19. Join the Fan Fest pre-party too: http://bit.ly/1APxvHR #GoMaroon
  • Welcome new students to campus during New Student Convocation Aug. 20: http://bit.ly/1B8P19U #GoMaroon #CitizenBear
  • What Welcome Weekend event are you looking forward to the most? Check out the lineup: http://bit.ly/1pNX0Dt #GoMaroon
  • Making the move to MSU? Review our packing recommendations and move-in tips: http://bit.ly/1APw9g8

Filed Under: Social media, Social media kit, web strategy and development Tagged With: facebook, instagram, Social Media, Social Media Kit, Twitter, web and new media, welcome weekend, YouTube

Social Media Kit: Summer 2017 #BearGrads

July 18, 2017 by Web Strategy and Development

Graduates file out of JQH Arena

Missouri State University’s summer 2017 commencement ceremonies will take place Friday, Aug. 4, 2017 at JQH Arena.

Key details

  • What: Summer 2017 commencement
  • When: Friday, Aug. 4, 2017 at 10 a.m.
  • Where: JQH Arena
  • Live streaming: YouTube
  • Social media tagboard: tagboard.com/BearGrads/20442
  • Event website: http://www.missouristate.edu/commencement/summer-2017-commencement.htm

Share your story

Help us celebrate our #BearGrads by sharing your experience on social media. If you are graduating or attending graduation to celebrate with someone, we want to hear about it. You may even see yourself featured on Missouri State’s social media channels.

We encourage you to join the conversation before and during commencement by posting about it on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and tagging your posts with the official hashtag: #BearGrads.

Make your posts social media savvy

  • Tag your posts with the official commencement hashtag: #BearGrads
  • Share your experience with us by tagging Missouri State University or @missouristate
  • Tag your posts with the Springfield, Missouri hashtag: #SGF
  • If you would like to provide a link for more information on the event, please link to http://www.missouristate.edu/commencement/summer-2017-commencement.htm
  • When you post to Facebook, boost your status update by sharing with a photo or video.
  • Nothing beats a first-hand perspective. If you attend commencement, share photos from or quotes about your experience.

Visual assets

Live video

Snapchat

Look for our #BearGrads geofilter on Snapchat Aug. 4 in Hammons Student Center and JQH Arena.

Commencement Snapchat geofilter example

Facebook timeline photos

Spring commencement Facebook photo Spring commencement Facebook photo Spring commencement Facebook photo Spring commencement Facebook photo

Twitter timeline photos

Spring commencement Twitter photoSpring commencement Twitter photo Spring commencement Twitter photo Spring commencement Twitter photo

Instagram photo

Spring commencement Instagram photo

GIFs

Download and share GIFs from Missouri State’s GIPHY channel.

Digital wallpapers

Add #BearGrads digital wallpaper to your desktop or phone screen.

Sample social media posts

  • Congratulations to our #BearGrads! We’re proud of you!
  • Can’t make it to commencement? Watch the ceremonies live online at YouTube #BearGrads
  • #BearGrads has a new member, and it’s my (son, daughter, friend, etc.) (@TagThePerson).
  • What’s your favorite college memory? Share using #BearGrads.
  • Graduating on Friday? Share your photos from the day using #BearGrads.
  • See what our #BearGrads have to say about commencement day: http://bit.ly/1Hlgn1C. Join the conversation with #BearGrads

Filed Under: Social media, Social media kit, web strategy and development Tagged With: BearGrads, commencement, facebook, instagram, Social Media, Social Media Kit, Twitter

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  • Last Modified: July 20, 2017
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