Social Media Best Practices

Cumberland University

SOCIAL MEDIA BEST PRACTICES

A GUIDE TO MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR DIGITAL PRESENCE OFFICE OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Using Social Media At CU At Cumberland University, we understand that social media platforms are important communication channels that can shape, influence and perpetuate the Cumberland brand. Cumberland University recognizes and uses the following channels to promote external communications: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, SnapChat and Google+.

To assist in posting and managing content on our social media sites, the Office of Marketing and Communications has developed some policies and guidelines.

Guidelines to Remember You are acting as a representative of Cumberland University when using any social media channel.

If you identify yourself as a member of Cumberland University in some way (i.e. professor, staff, leader) on your account, you must denote in your bio the phrase “Views are my own.”

Confidential or proprietary university information should not be shared publicly on social media.

Keep in mind that all social media content on accounts affiliated with Cumberland University is subject to review by the Office of Marketing and Communications.

Finally, all CU-affiliated accounts must be registered through the Office of Marketing & Communications.

Tips for social media success!

Create accurate content:

Verify any information that you are sharing. Once something is posted to the internet, it's hard to take it off the internet. It's easier to confirm accuracy than have to post a retraction.

Create engaging content:

The best accounts are the ones that consider what resonates with their audiences. If you aren’t getting engagement on your content, try varying the types of posts or shares to find out what works best.

Think before you post: Content that is populated on Cumberland-affiliated accounts is representative of the university’s brand. Craft your messages carefully, share posts that add value and be mindful of how your account is managed.

Plan your content ahead of time: Keeping an active and updated social media account with engaging content can be challenging. Planning ahead, scheduling posts, setting goals and looking for inspiration are all helpful ways to manage content.

Use graphics & visuals:

Social media posts are much more likely to generate engagement if they include a photo. Make sure to have engaging pictures of students, faculty, staff, alumni, etc. represented on your accounts!