Web Strategy and Development Blog

You are growing up, kid

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This week, I started my internship with the office of web and new media. So far, I love it.

Yet, if I am being honest, in the three days that I have spent here I have had my fair share of terrifying moments.

Because, the thing is, I am terrified to grow up. Really, I am. The thought of graduating college and getting a big girl job gives me an immediate anxiety attack.

I need structure

I depend on my planner to survive. Each day is a structured map of what I will be doing, where I will be and who I will be with.

Being a student, every day is pre determined. What I mean is, we all get a syllabus that tells us everything we have to do for a semester. Each assignment has a rubric that lists expectations like grammar, format and grading.

How nice is that? I will answer for you, very nice.

Why? Because, the chance of failure is slim.

And in the real world, you’re not given a syllabus.

Meaning, the chance of failure is greater.

I need structure.

An irrational fear

I am afraid of failure. I think being afraid to fail is natural and more common then we think.

No body likes the being unsure. I mean, why would you?

Which is the key reason why the future is so scary, it is unknown.

However, there is absolutely nothing we can do to change it. We cannot change the future. We do not have a magic ball that will tell us all there is to know about our future.

“Fears are educated into us, and can, if we wish, be educated out.”
Karl Augustus Menninger

We can actively fight this irrational fear. What is the point of allowing something you cannot control to have such a hold on you?

In times of fear, I think to myself “Will this matter in five years?” If the answer is no, then I push myself to move on and forget the fear that is holding me back.

As Menninger says, we educate ourselves out of this irrational fear.

The internship

So why does this internship scare me?

Because it is a sign that I am growing up. The kind of sign that is printed in big, bold red letters and plastered to my face.

There is no syllabus. My semester is not predetermined. And this is the first step to my future big girl job.

When my bosses tell me to do something, and I have to do it. Just today, they told to write a trial blog post. That was it. They didn’t give me a rubric. They didn’t give me a grading scale. I just had to write it- I hope I am doing well.

And that is all I can do. All I can do is my best.

Does the unknown scare me? Yes. Will I let it control me? No.

Social Media Kit: Fall 2017 #BearGrads

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Missouri State University’s fall 2017 commencement ceremonies will take place at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, 2017 at JQH Arena.

Share your story

Help us celebrate #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/fall-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.
  • Follow the #BearGrads conversation on Tagboard

Visual assets

Live video

Snapchat

Look for our #BearGrads geofilter on Snapchat Dec. 15 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.
  • Explore what our #BearGrads have to say about commencement day: http://bit.ly/1Hlgn1C. Join the conversation with #BearGrads

Are you the next new media specialist intern?

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Apply for the job

I was the first new media specialist intern for the office of web and new media, so my time here has been like a test drive for them.

And I like to think I was at least a Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

My experience

During my internship, I have been able to experience Missouri State like never before.

I was very surprised to see that I was given a lot of creative freedom. Whenever I spoke, they not only heard what I had to say, but really listened. So much so that whenever I had an idea for something, instead of turning it down or just nodding their head, they found ways to help me bring my projects to life.

Some of those projects included: Every Bear from Everywhere, which highlighted students and faculty about why they chose Missouri State, new segments for Missouri State Snapchat and creating social media calendars and campaigns for homecoming, to just name a few.

And now after all that, they are trying to replace me.

But no worries, it’s only because my time at Missouri State is coming to an end after 4.5 years. Yes, I took a victory lap because I just love this place so much.

Intern Amanda Isaacs working on computer

So, what do you need to be?

Yourself.

Bring your personality to this position and put your touch on all things Missouri State. Besides that, you need to love social media and engaging with others, like enjoy using social media so much that you’re interested in pursuing a career in social media marketing.

As the new media specialist intern, you will get the chance to contribute to a variety of university projects.

  • You’ll be writing blogs, using Snapchat to engage with MSU students, and even developing social media campaigns for university platforms including Missouri State Facebook and Twitter.
  • They are also looking for versatile storytellers, so you’ll be able to write content for university blogs, edit photos and interview newsmakers.
  • You’ll also receive the keys to MissouriState.edu. You’ll update photos, videos and text as needed on university websites.
Web and New Media social media student Amanda Isaacs.

What you will gain

A really great resume.

Besides that, you will gain valuable experience in real-world settings and walk away with several benefits:

  • A professional portfolio that includes at least two social media campaigns, four blog posts and two visuals
  • An insider’s access to best practices about social media, writing and website content development
  • An opportunity to display skills in a professional setting, which will place the intern’s resume above their peers’

What are the qualifications?

A jacket.

No seriously, when it’s warm outside it’s like visiting the North Pole in here. No worries though, because in the winter, just leave that jacket at home because it gets nice and toasty and you won’t be needing it.

But really, here’s a list of the desired skills and experience they are looking for:

Education

Well first off, you have to actually go here, like be a student. If you’re pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism or related areas, that’s ideal.

Skills

You’re going to writing…like a lot, so it needs to be your biggest strength. That also means you should have demonstrated knowledge of AP style. Another thing is WordPress. Everything that is published is written on WordPress, so knowing your way around it is ideal.  We’d also love to have someone who is interested in social media marketing, photography and videography. It would be really beneficial to have some photo editing skills and basic knowledge of Web best practices.

Other

The internship requires some evening and weekend work, but don’t let this turn you away. The events you will have to go are exciting and you’ll get to experience Missouri State from behind the scenes. You must be able to work at computer workstations for extended periods of time, but they provide a big comfy chair so don’t fret. Additionally, applicants must have visual and audio acuity within normal ranges.

You must also be committed to working with our diverse student and community populations.

Applying for the job

It may seem like a lot, but it’s been one of the best experiences I’ve had at Missouri State. Week after week, this internship confirmed that Missouri State is home and that I made the right/best decision to attend college here. I’m not sure I would have gained the same experience and advice I received here at any other internship.

If you’re in, fill out an application and email these things to web@missouristate.edu. We’re accepting submissions until Nov. 30.

  • Resume
  • Cover letter
  • Two writing samples

Good luck and go Bears!

Social Media Kit: Homecoming 2017 – Welcome Home

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Missouri State University alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends are invited to celebrate MSU and all things maroon and white at Homecoming 2017. We’ve created a social media kit to help you share the event with your family and friends.

Key details

  • What: Homecoming 2017 – Welcome Home
  • When: Oct. 27-28, 2017
  • Where: Across campus and in downtown Springfield
  • Who: Missouri State University alumni, students, faculty, staff and community members
  • Sponsors: The Alumni Association and Student Homecoming Committee

Main events:

Share your story

Help us spread the word about Homecoming to the Missouri State and local communities by sharing it on social media.

We encourage you to join the online conversation by posting on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and tagging your posts with the official hashtag: #BearsHomecoming

Homecoming related social media content posted with #BearsHomecoming will be aggregated and featured through Tagboard. To be featured, users need to:

  • Post to a public account on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, or Flickr
  • Include the hashtag #BearsHomecoming

Make your post social media savvy

Tagging tips

Other tips:

  • When you post to Facebook, boost your status update by sharing it with a photo. Nothing beats a first-hand perspective!
  • If you attend a Homecoming event, consider sharing a photo from or quote about your experience.
  • You can update your profile and cover photos with the Homecoming logo.

Visual assets

Facebook timeline photos

Twitter timeline photos

Instagram

Twitter profile photos

Facebook profile/cover photos

 

Sample social media posts

Sample tweets

  • Join @MarooNation and @MoStateHC2017 in this year’s theme: Every Bear, Everywhere #BearsHomecoming #SGF
  • The Welcome Home Party is THE place to start your maroon and white weekend with fellow alumni: http://bit.ly/BearsParty
  • Celebrate #BearsHomecoming and enjoy specials at participating #downtownsgf businesses with Bears on the Square: http://bit.ly/BearsOTS  #SGF
  • Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes… http://bit.ly/BearsRent #BearsHomecoming  Oct. 27-28 at @HammonsHall.
  • Join us for breakfast w/ @MSU_Boomer and take home a picture with the best mascot in the MVC #BearsHomecoming: http://bit.ly/BfastBoomer
  • Let’s cover JQH Parkway in maroon and white during #BearsHomecoming Parade Oct. 28 at 9 a.m. #SGF: http://bit.ly/BHPArade
  • Tailgate w/ #MSUBears fans and prepare to cheer on @MOStateFootball in @BearfestVillage at 11 a.m. #BearsHomecoming: http://bit.ly/BFV1llage
  • Bring the kids to @BearfestVillage and check out the Family Zone north of McDonald Arena #BearsHomecoming: http://bit.ly/BFV1llage
  • Cheer @MOStateFootball on against the Sycamores Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. in Plaster Stadium. Tix: http://bit.ly/BHFootball #BearsHomecoming #MSUBears

Review our steps for turning a link into a tweet.

Facebook event

Homecoming 2017 has an associated Facebook event; please link to the Facebook event page when appropriate. And don’t forget to join and share on your pages.

Sample Facebook posts

Sharing about Homecoming on Facebook allows for some additional customization. The sample posts provide content recommendations based on our best practice tips for optimizing link sharing on Facebook.

Example 1
Example 2
  • Headline: Enjoy a family-fun morning including breakfast, a meet and greet with Boomer and get your own family portrait with him on Oct. 28 ‪#‎BearsHomecoming
  • URL: http://bit.ly/1Pa3XfP
Example 3
Example 4

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

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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.

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