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Social Media Kit: Spring 2018 Public Affairs Conference

March 27, 2018 by Web Strategy and Development

Students at the public affairs conference

The Spring 2018 Public Affairs Conference theme is Sustainability in Practice: Consensus and Consequences. The conference will help all of us explore best practices for a sustainable future.

Key details

  • What: Public Affairs Conference
  • When: April 10-12, 2018
  • Where: Plaster Student Union and Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts at Missouri State
  • Who: Plenary speakers, guest artists and presenters
  • No tickets required
  • All events are free and open to the public

Share your story

Help us discuss the Public Affairs Conference by sharing it on social media. Posts with the #CitizenBear hashtag will be pulled to the #CitizenBear Tagboard.

Make your post social media savvy

  • Tag your posts with the official Public Affairs Conference hashtag, #CitizenBear
  • Follow Missouri State University on Facebook or @missouristate on Twitter
  • Tag your posts with the Springfield, Missouri hashtag: #SGF
  • When you post to Facebook and Twitter, boost your status update by sharing it with a photo or video
  • Nothing beats a first-hand perspective. Share a photo from or quote about your experience

Visual Assets

Video

Live video

The university will live stream four conference events on YouTube.

Watch Ron Ireland plenary

Watch Brady Deaton plenary

Watch Majora Carter plenary

Watch Vivian Carter plenary

Facebook images

These images are cropped and ready to be your Facebook cover photo.

Students at a conference event for Facebook Students at a voter registration table for Facebook Students walking by colorful international flags for Facebook The Bronze Bear statue with international flags for Facebook

Twitter images

These images are cropped and ready to be your Twitter cover photo.

Students at a conference event for Twitter Students at a voter registration table for Twitter Students walking by colorful international flags for Twitter The Bronze Bear statue with international flags for Twitter

Instagram

Share these images on your Instagram account to share the Public Affairs Conference.

Students at a voter registration table for Instagram Students at a conference event for Instagram The Bronze Bear statue with international flags for Instagram Students walking by colorful international flags for Instagram

Sample social media posts

Sample tweets

  • Join the @MissouriState community for its Public Affairs Conference April 10-12. http://bit.ly/1HFHLnl #CitizenBear #SGF
  • What does it mean to live in a sustainable world? http://bit.ly/2mOlgNe #CitizenBear #SGF
  • These events at @MissouriState will help you become a more informed citizen. http://bit.ly/1BM0PvB #CitizenBear #SGF

Sample Facebook posts

Pair either of these suggestions with a photo from the Facebook section.

  • I’m a #CitizenBear at the Missouri State University Public Affairs Conference April 10-12. It’s free, and all are welcome. Check out the lineup of speakers: http://bit.ly/1HFHLnl #CitizenBear
  • Explore how to be an ethical citizen at the Missouri State University Public Affairs Conference. Discover this list of great presenters at the conference: http://bit.ly/1HFHLnl #CitizenBear

Filed Under: Social media, Social media kit, web strategy and development Tagged With: content, facebook, new media, Public Affairs, Social Media, Social Media Kit, Twitter, Web, web and new media, YouTube

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

Social Media Kit: Fall 2017 #BearGrads

November 28, 2017 by Web Strategy and Development

Graduates walk out of JQH Arena

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

Filed Under: Social media, Social media kit, web strategy and development Tagged With: BearGrads, commencement, Social Media, Social Media Kit, Web, web and new media

Are you the next new media specialist intern?

November 13, 2017 by Amanda Isaacs

Web and New Media intern Amanda Isaacs.

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!

Filed Under: Social media, web strategy and development Tagged With: internship, jobs, Social Media, 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

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  • Last Modified: October 27, 2017
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