Web Strategy and Development Blog

Free training for websites, blogs and social media

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Interactive digital panels Websites, blogs, social media — there are now more ways than ever to reach our audience, and we all want to use each platform as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Join us for a free session, where we’ll offer tips and tricks for online marketing and communications.

Making your statement in a digital world

You’ll learn practical strategies for managing websites, blogs and social media. We’ll answer questions like:

  • What do users want my website, blog or social media to provide?
  • How do we repurpose our website and blog content and distribute it on social media?
  • How do we manage messaging on multiple social media channels?
  • What are some advanced strategies to increase our effectiveness on Facebook, Twitter
    and Instagram?
  • How can we best leverage photo and video content?
  • How can we use elements of the Missouri State brand?
  • What can we do immediately to make our digital communications more strategic?

Key details

  • What: Making Your Statement in a Digital World, a free training on websites and social media presented by Lucie Amberg and Kevin Agee
  • When: 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Nov. 10
  • Where: Traywick Parliamentary Room, Plaster Student Union Room 313
  • Who: Open to faculty, staff and students who manage content for Missouri State websites, blogs and social media platforms
  • How: This event is free; registration though My Learning Connection is requested. Please feel free to bring your own laptop or tablet.

#GoMaroon on GIPHY

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Missouri State has launched a brand partnership with GIPHY, a search engine that allows people to search for and share GIFs on the internet.

Welcome Weekend

What are GIFs?

GIFs are animated images that loop endlessly. From a technical side, they are an image file type that stands for Graphics Interchange Format. They’re a great way to engage audiences on social media with an engaging visual component.

Why Missouri State uses GIFs

This is part of an effort to make MSU-branded assets readily available to the campus community (and the world). GIPHY provides a search engine that allows people to find GIFs featuring Missouri State campus activities, Boomer Bear and President Clif Smart.

How to access MSU GIFs

  • Go to the Missouri State GIPHY page or download the GIPHY app on the App Store or Google Play
  • Select the GIF you’d like to share
  • Tap or click the “Share” tab
  • Select the social media site you’d like to use

Alternatively, GIPHY is integrated with Twitter‘s GIF search engine, which is available on the Twitter app on mobile devices.

  • Select compose a new tweet
  • Tap the GIF button
  • Type “missouristate” in the search box
  • Select the GIF you’d like to share
  • Compose and send your tweet

Missouri State seeks full-time new media specialist for alumni relations

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Apply now

Missouri State University is accepting applications for a new media specialist in the office of web and new media.

Responsibilities

  • Manages social media, websites and online marketing campaigns for alumni relations
  • Works to ensure that assigned websites and social media content, branding and marketing messages are created, maintained, updated and evaluated for effectiveness and efficiency
  • Uses invention, imagination, originality and talent to write and edit content for assigned websites and other electronic applications
  • Facilitates the achievement of departmental goals and objectives through public relations activities and contributes to various print materials

Select projects

The new media specialist for alumni relations contributes to a variety of university projects:

Missouri State Magazine
Websites
Maroonation Facebook
Social media and digital marketing
Football student crowd
Homecoming
Dan Cogswell story
Feature writing
Honoree Jimmy Edwards
Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame
Mortarboard
Commencement

Application instructions

Starting salary: $31,932-36,645 annually. Pay grade: 42.

Group health insurance, life insurance, retirement, tuition waivers, wellness programs and professional development opportunities. Learn more about benefits.

Visit the complete job posting

Desired skills and experience

Education

A Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related area is required.

Experience

Either one year work experience in a professional position in a public relations environment or a minimum of three semesters experience in a part-time position in a similar professional setting is required. Work experience in higher education is preferred.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required, including writing and/or editing experience with print and electronic media. Knowledge of basic content management software and strong proofreading and editing skills are required. Organizational and planning skills are required. Knowledge of word processing and social media applications are required. Supervisory experience is preferred. Knowledge of database and/or spreadsheet applications is preferred. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.

Other

The scope of the job requires some evening and weekend work. Occasional overnight or out-of-town travel is required. Extended periods of time working at a computer workstation are required. Visual and audio acuity within normal ranges are required.

Successful candidates must be committed to working with diverse student and community populations. Employment will require a criminal background check at University expense.

EO/AA/M/F/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Employer and Institution

Social Media Kit: Giving Tuesday 2015

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#GoMaroon on #GivingTuesday

On Tuesday, December 1, 2015, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate and encourage giving. The Missouri State University Foundation is encouraging all alumni, friends, faculty, staff, parents and students to participate in this special day. Join us in participating by sharing this on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media and making a gift to the fund of your choice at Missouri State.

Key details

What: Giving Tuesday 2015
When: Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Where: Missouri State University
Who: MSU students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and community members are encouraged to participate
How: Participate by volunteering or making a gift and share on social media

  • Post your photos and #UNselfies on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
  • Share your story using the hashtags #GoMaroon on #GivingTuesday.
  • Give any amount you choose to ensure current and future Bears can attend Missouri State. Visit www.missouristatefoundation.org/GivingTuesday to learn more.

Share why you love MSU and how you or a fellow Bear live the public affairs mission

  • Join in the social conversation about Giving Tuesday 2015 by tagging your posts with #GoMaroon on #GivingTuesday
  • We encourage people to tag their organizations where they volunteer. We also encourage them to include a photo or video, especially in BearWear.
  • #GivingTuesday is a great way to live Missouri State’s Public Affairs mission by being a part of a larger worldwide giving movement.

Make your post social media savvy

Below you’ll find suggested social media language and graphics to help us spread the word about #GoMaroon on #GivingTuesday.

  • Follow and share your story using the hashtags #GoMaroon and #GivingTuesday.
  • Whenever possible tag Missouri State University or @missouristate
  • When applicable, tag Missouri State University Foundation or @FoundationMSU
  • If applicable, tag the post with the Springfield, Missouri, hashtag:#SGF
  • Be a part of a global movement, tag Giving Tuesday or @GivingTues
  • If you would like to provide a link for more information use www.missouristatefoundation.org/MSUGivingTuesday.htm

Visual assets

Facebook images

Cover photos

Brand your Facebook profile or page with a custom #GoMaroon #GivingTuesday graphic. Click the image you like below to save the full-size image.

#GoMaroon on #GivingTuesday

Giving Tuesday

Shared images

#GivingTuesday#GoMaroon on #GivingTuesday

Public Affairs statue volunteering

volunteering Bears giving back

Bears giving back

Twitter images

Header image

Brand your Twitter profile with a custom #GoMaroon #GivingTuesday image. Click the image you like below to save the full-size version.

#GoMaroon #GivingTuesday

#GoMaroon #GivingTuesday

Instream photos

volunteers Bears giving back

volunteers volunteers

Tw-Instream-1024x512-4 Bears giving back

volunteers

Instagram

Click the image you like below to save the full-size version.

#GoMaroon #GivingTuesday volunteers volunteers

Bears giving back volunteers Public Affairs Statue

Sample social media posts

Sample tweets

Sample Facebook posts

  • #GivingTuesday is an international day of giving. Missouri State Bears, anywhere, can participate! http://bit.ly/MSGivTues152
  • Make a gift then share the news on Twitter and Facebook with the hashtags #GoMaroon on #GivingTuesday to show your support for Missouri State! http://bit.ly/MSGivTues152
  • Save the date: #GivingTuesday 2015 is Dec 1. You can be part of the celebration by giving back to Missouri State and your community. Visit http://bit.ly/MSGivTues152 to find out more!
  • #GivingTuesday is a day for everyone, everywhere, to GIVE! Find out how you can participate! http://bit.ly/MSGivTues152
  • Tell us how YOU are participating in #GoMaroon on #GivingTuesday. Take a video of your #GivingTuesday activities or take a #UNSelfie, and share what you’re doing on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram! #CitizenBear http://bit.ly/MSGivTues152
  • Share what you’re doing to give back by taking a #UNselfie and share on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram! #GoMaroon #GivingTuesday http://bit.ly/MSGivTues152

#UNselfie

The #UNselfie, or the selfless selfie, is a powerful way to show how you are giving and why giving is important to you.

How do I #UNselfie?

  • Take a “selfie” with a caption (or have it on a card in the picture) explaining how or why you and/or your friends are “giving” this year.
  • Use the hashtags #UNselfie and #GoMaroon on #GivingTuesday
  • Post it to Instagram, Facebook and/or Twitter and share with friends!

#UNselfie Sign

Download PDF to print and write on to hold.

Version 1 Version 2

#UNselfie sign

Sample text to use on the sign

  • “I give to ___________________ because _____________________”
  • “On #GoMaroon #GivingTuesday I gave back by________________________”
  • “Join me in supporting _________________ on #GivingTuesday”
  • “Thank you __________________ for giving to Missouri State.”

Remember to use hashtags #GoMaroon, #GivingTuesday and #UNSelfie to share!

Sample Instagram caption

Social Media Kit: Public Affairs Convocation 2015

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Author Wes Moore, who will speak at Missouri State on Oct. 20, 2015Examining expectations

“The chilling truth is that his story could have been mine. And the tragedy is that my story could have been his, ” says Wes Moore.

His best-selling book, “The Other Wes Moore,” reflects on his youth and that of another man who shares his name. While they grew up in similar circumstances, their adult lives are remarkably different. Moore’s book chronicles their journeys and choices; it’s intended to spark discussion about the influences and expectations that shape young people.

In addition to being a best-selling author, Moore is a youth advocate, veteran and founder of BridgeEdU, which provides support to students as they begin their college careers. He will share his journey during this semester’s Public Affairs Convocation.

Key details

Share the story

Help us spread the word about this event to the Missouri State and local communities by sharing it on social media. If you attend this event, we want to hear about your experience!

We encourage you to join the online conversation during the Public Affairs Convocation by posting about it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and tagging your posts with the official Missouri State Public Affairs hashtag: #CitizenBear

Make your post social media savvy

Photos

The following photos are available for your use:

Sample tweets

  • Author, veteran, youth advocate @WesMoore1 speaks on expectations and empowerment at the Public Affairs Convocation, 10/20 bit.ly/1Pb9WBK
  • “His story could have been mine, and the tragedy is that my story could have been his.” @WesMoore1 speaks on 10/20: bit.ly/1Pb9WBK
  • Author Wes Moore shares his story with #SGF at this free lecture: bit.ly/1Pb9WBK #CitizenBear

Sample Facebook posts

These sample posts provide content recommendations based on our best practice tips for making the most of Facebook’s sharing features.

The Other Wes Moore, which is Missouri State's 2015 Common ReaderExample 1

  • Post: Author Wes Moore shares his story of one name, two boys and two very different fates, Oct. 20.
  • URL: bit.ly/1GEF5FT
  • URL custom text: Free Public Affairs Convocation

Example 2