Social Media
WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
ProfilePictures
ToensuresearchresultswithinsocialmediaplatformsshowcaseavisualflowofWIU brandedgraphics,weencouragedepartmentsandUniversityentitiestoutilizeofficial profilepictures.Contactsocialmedia@wiu.edutorequestuseoftheofficialUniversity profilepicturegraphics.
usedonflagshipUniversitysocialmediachannels.
PurpleandWhiteBlock usedonacademicandwidely promotedUniversitychannels.(Ex. AcademicEntities,Admissions,etc.)
PurpleandGoldRockyHeadlogo usedonsocialmediachannels promotingcampuscommunity.(Ex. StudentOrganizations,Athletics)
PurpleandGoldBlock ONLY
SocialMediaProfile
SocialmediaisanimportantwayforWesternIllinoisUniversitytocommunicatewith itscoreaudiencesandprovidestheopportunitytoactivelyengagewiththem.Likeall Universitycommunication,itisimportanttokeepmessagingconsistentwithour brand,accurateandprofessional.
Tomaintainbrandconsistency,werecommendusingofficialWesternIllinois Universityprofilephotosthatareinlinewiththestrategybelow.
Thepagenameonyoursocialmediaplatform(s)shouldappearinthefollowingformat:
Example1:WesternIllinoisUniversityRPTHorWIURecreation,Park,andHospitality
Example2:WesternIllinoisUniversityCSPorWIUCollegeStudentPersonnel
Example3:WesternIllinoisUniversityBiologyorWIUBiology
Profile must utilize Rocky Head or White and Purple W block
Hashtags
TheofficialUniversityaccounthandleis@westerniluniv.Thishandlecanbefound acrossallsocialmediachannelsandshouldbeutilizedinprintpublicationstodirect viewershiptocontentpostedbytheofficialUniversitysocialmedia.
UNIVERSITY
#WIU
#WIUPride
#LeatherneckPride
#LeatherneckStrong
#LeatherneckNation
#FutureLeatherneck
#ImALeatherneck
#TRADITIONofTOUGH
#WIUOnline
#NeckUp
#PurpleAndGold
COMMUNITY
#MyMacomb
#TownGown
#KeepItInMacomb
#MacombMatters
Photography
WIUphotographyshouldhelptellourstoryvisually.Allphotosshouldfeelon-brand. Selectphotoswithpeopleconnectingwithoneanotherinsteadofpeoplelooking directlyintothecamera.Focusimageryonpositiveexperiencesandthebenefitsthat WIUbringstostudents.Thinkengagedvs.staged.Utilizephotographywithnatural lightinginrealisticenvironments.Avoidstockphotographywherepossible.
AnnualCampusEvents
Thereisanextensiveofferingofcampuseventsoncampus.Thelistbelowoutlinessomeofthe capstoneeventsoncampus.Eventinfocanbefoundatdepartmentwebsitesandwiu.edu/webcal.
FallSemester
Move-InWeekend
Midterms
FinalsWeek
FallCommencement
HomeFootballgames
Homecoming&Homecoming5K
FallenSoldiers5K
BigPinkVolleyball
FamilyDay&FamilyDayBBQ&AgDay|wiu.edu/familyday
DadsDay/Weekend|wiu.edu/dadsday
StudentActivitiesFair(Secondweekofsemester)
StudentSuccessNewsStories
Theatre&DanceEvents|ScheduleHERE ArtDepartmentEvents|ScheduleHERE
SpringSemester
April24-PurpleandGoldDay
Midterms
MomsWeekend|wiu.edu/momsday
FinalsWeek
SpringCommencement
HomeAthleticEvents
UUBBlockParty
NFLDraft&Signingseason-StudentAthletes
StudentActivitiesFair(Secondweekofthesemester)
CareerDevelopmentFair
StudentSuccessNewsStories
Theatre&DanceEvents|ScheduleHERE ArtDepartmentEvents|ScheduleHERE
WinterBreak
HappyHolidays(HanukkahandChristmas)
NewYearsDay
PDPWinterCampusShots
SpringBreak
SpringBreakVacationCoverage
PDPSpringCampusShots
SummerSession(Prepareforfallmarketingandmove-in)
LeatherneckLaunch-StudentOrientationandRegistration
PDPSummerCampusshots
ProspectiveStudentMessaging
Ourprimarytargetaudienceisprospectivestudents(thisnaturally includeslanguagethatmeetstheneedsofcurrentstudentsaswell).It’s essentialtoputyourselfinaprospect’sshoesandthinkaboutwhatthey wantandneedfromWIUcommunications.Weshowexamplesbelowof howthevoiceandtone,alongwiththerestofthestrategy,workforthis groupandhowthatshiftsdependingonthesubject.
ACADEMICS Empoweredbyperspective.
WesternIllinoisUniversity’straditionisrootedinteaching Ourprofessorsleadwith thatpassioneverydaythroughastudent-centeredapproachtoeducation Through personalmentorshipandactivelearning,you’llexploreyourtalentsinaplacewhere youbelong Andwhenyougraduate,you’lltakethoseexperiencesandconnectionsto startameaningfulfuture
WhenspeakingtoaprospectabouttheacademiclifeatWestern,wedraw ontheexperienceofgainingskillsandfindingrelationships.Themessages shouldneverfeeltransactional,becauseWIU’ssupportivefacultyandstaff careaboutstudentsandtheirfutures
BELIEFS Destinedforsuccess.
WesternIllinoisUniversityisforstudentsofallages,cultures,andbackgrounds We’recommittedtoyoursuccessnomatterwhereyou’reatinyoureducational journey Nomatterwhereyoucomefrom,nomatterwhatyouwanttodo,we believeinwhereyourpotentialwilltakeyouwhenyou’refullysupportedbya connectedcommunity Whenweworkhardandcometogether,wegofurtherthan werealizedpossible
WhenspeakingtoaprospectaboutwhatwebelieveatWestern,weshowthem thatregardlessofwhotheyareandwheretheycomefrom,wewillacceptthem withopenarms,thatacceptanceisanimportantpartofWesternsvalues
EXPERIENCE
Thepowerofcommunity.
Asanindividual,youbringpowerfulvalue Whenyoujoinauniversity,youtakeyour backgroundandexperiencetoanewcommunity AtWesternIllinoisUniversity,we embracethosenewperspectivesthatteachtheunfamiliar.Inaplacewherestories andideasmeetwithrespect,wegrowtobecomeglobalcitizenswithcompassion. Thatcommitmenttocollaborationliesattheheartofwhatwedoandwhoweare.
WhenspeakingtoaprospectaboutwhattheywillexperienceatWestern,we bringinthedifferentiatingfactorthatWesternprovidesadiversecommunity It showshowtheygainvaluefromexposingthemselvestonewwaysofthinking
AdditionalMessaging
Weusethebrandtocommunicatewithsecondaryaudiencesaswell. Whilethesemessagesmayliveinmorespecificmediums,itremains importanttospeakinaconsistent,clearmanner.
ALUMNI
Takeprideinwhereyou’regoing andwhereyoucamefrom.
WIUstandsproudtocallyouoneofourown.Fromyourdaysoncampustonow,we continuetoseeyourgrowthandsuccess.Nomatterwhereyougonext,takeyour unwaveringLeatherneckloyaltywithyou.
Whenspeakingtoanalumniaudience,wetakethembacktothepositivefeelings theyhadduringtheircollegedays Thelanguagehelpsbuildtheconnection neededforthemtowanttoconnectandinvolvethemselveswiththeUniversityas aformerstudent.
DONORS
Opportunityshouldserveeveryone.
WesternIllinoisUniversityservesasaregionalhubforopportunity Onourcampuses,we believeaccessibleandaffordableeducationchangeslives Notonlydoesitdirectlybetter eachstudent,butitalsoimpactsthecommunitytheygoontoliveinandtheindustrythey choosetoworkin.Aninvestmentinhighereducationbeingspositivegrowthfor generationstocome.
Whenspeakingtoadonoraudience,weconveythechangethey’reabletomakein studentandcommunitymemberlivesbymakinganinvestment Iturgesthemto wanttobecomeapartofacause(highereducation)biggerthanthemselves
GraphicsSizing
Checkoutanup-to-datesocialmediaplatformsizelistingcreatedandroutinely updatedbySproutSocial.
Thesocialmediaplatform,Facebook,hasarecommendedsizeforavarietyofimageframeswithinasocial mediatimeline.Thesesizesarelistedbelow.
Facebook Dimensions Min. Dimensions
Thesocialmediaplatform,Instagram,hasarecommendedsizeforavarietyofimageframeswithina socialmediatimeline.Thesesizesarelistedbelow.
Instagram Dimensions
GraphicsSizing
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Twitter(X)
Thesocialmediaplatform,Twitter(X),hasarecommendedsizeforavarietyofimageframeswithina socialmediatimeline.Thesesizesarelistedbelow.
Twitter (X) Dimensions Min. Dimensions
Snapchat
Thesocialmediaplatform,Snapchat,hasarecommendedsizeforavarietyofimageframeswithinasocial mediatimeline.Thesesizesarelistedbelow.
10-SecondVideoGuidelinesRecommendeddimensionis1080x1920
Aspectratiois9:16.
Maxfilesizeis32MB
Acceptvideoformatsare.MP4and.MOV.
Videolengthisbetween3and10seconds.
Long-FormVideoGuidelinesRecommendeddimensionis1080x1920
Aspectratiois9:16or16:9.
Maxfilesizeis1GB
Acceptvideoformatsare.MP4and.MOV.
Videolengthisaminimum15seconds(nomax).
SnapchatGeofilterCommunityGeofiltersarefreebutnotguaranteedtobeverified
On-DemandGeofiltersarepurchasedandhaveahigherchanceofbeing verified Costjumpsdependingonlocation
IncludeagooddescriptionofyourCommunityFilter
Makesureyourfileis1080pxwideand2340pxtall
PlacetextandimportantelementsoutsidethebufferzoneofyourFilter 210pxfromthetopandbottom
Keepyourfilesizeunder300KB
Saveyourfilein PNGformatwithtransparencyenabled
MoreSnapchatgeofilterguidelinescanbefoundhere
GraphicsSizing
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Thesocialmediaplatform,Pinterest,hasarecommendedsizeforavarietyofimageframeswithinasocial mediatimeline.Thesesizesarelistedbelow.
Pinterest Dimensions Appears in feed
TikTok
Thesocialmediaplatform,TikTok,hasarecommendedsizeforavarietyofimageframeswithinasocial mediatimeline.Thesesizesarelistedbelow.
TikTokBestPractices
VideoFileSize:upto287.6MB(iOS)and72MB(Android)insize
VideoLengthMax:15seconds
Canalsocombinestoryvideostogetherforupto60secondsofvideo
VideoCaptions:Available
VideoSound:Recommended
Long-FormVideoGuidelines
Verticalvideoispreferred,buthorizontalispermitted
Assetdimensions:1080x1920(videomustusetheentirecanvas) 150pxmarginontopandbottom,64pxmarginoneachside
Resolution:9:16aspectratio
Filetype:.mp4or.movfile
Videocode:H264encoded
RecommendedratioinClipchamp:9:16(fullportrait)
GraphicsSizing
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Thesocialmediaplatform,LinkedIn,hasarecommendedsizeforavarietyofimageframeswithinasocial mediatimeline.Thesesizesarelistedbelow.
LinkedIn Dimensions Appears in feed
Guidelines
AllsocialmediaaccountsshouldpromotetheUniversity’smission,goals, programsandsanctionedefforts.
AdministrativeaccessandpasswordsforWestern-affiliatedsocialmediaaccountsshouldbeavailableto multiplestaffmembersineachdepartment.CredentialsmustbemaintainedandsurrenderedtoaUniversity leaderatthedeanorvicepresidentlevelintheeventthatthecurrentsocialmediamanager,whethera studentoremployee,leavesthedepartment/division/University.
CommentPolicy
Weencourageopendiscussionaboutthetopicswepost,butwedoreservethe righttomoderatediscussiononWesternIllinoisUniversitysocialmediaaccounts andtoremovepoststhatcontain:
Profaneorobscenecontent
Off-topiccontent
Contentthatpromotes,fostersorperpetuatesdiscriminationagainstprotected classes
Sexualharassmentcontent
Conductorencouragementofillegalactivity
Spamorcommentsthatincludelinkstoexternalonlinesites
Solicitationsofcommerceoradvertisements,includingpromotionor endorsement
Promotionsofparticularservices,productsorpoliticalcandidatesor organizations
Contentthatviolatesthetermsofuseorcommunityguidelinesofthesocial mediaplatform
Informationthatmaytendtocompromisethesafetyorsecurityofthepublicor publicsystems
ViolatorsmayhavetheircommentsremovedfromtheUniversity’ssocialmedia platforms.Continuedoregregiousviolationsofthispolicymaypromptthe Universitytorestrictfurtheranindividual’scommentingonUniversitysocialmedia platforms.
PoststhatrefertospecificindividualsorofficeswithintheWIUcommunityaspartof thecomplaint,concernorcomplimentwillbehandledonacase-by-casebasis. Dependingonthecircumstances,atthediscretionofpageadministrators,thepost orcommentmayberemoved.Wealsohavetherighttoreportanycurrentstudent’s commentstotheStudentsRightsandResponsibilities.
WesternIllinoisUniversityisnotresponsibleforthecontentpostedbyparticipants onanyofitspages,nordoesitsexistenceconstituteendorsementofthecontentby theUniversity.
Guidelines
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KnowandFollowtheRules
DonotpostconfidentialorproprietaryinformationaboutWesternIllinois University,itsstudents,alumni,faculty,orstaff.Reviewallcurrentpoliciesand procedures,andifyouarenotsure,askbeforesharing.Donotshareinformation thatisnotmeanttobecommonknowledge.
Federallaws,includingtheFamilyEducationalRightsandPrivacyAct(FERPA),state lawandWIUpolicies(foundatwiu.edu/policies)governingtheconfidentialityof studentandapplicantrecords(andinformationfromsuchrecords)applytosocial mediause.Makesureyouarenotpostinganyinformationthatisconfidential and/orhighlyrestrictedorrestricteddata.
Asapublicinstitution,itisrequiredbylawthatifsharingavideoonanysocial mediaplatform,itmustbecaptioned.Torequestassistancewithcaptioningyour video,contacttheOfficeofEqualOpportunityandAccess
Tips&Tricks
BeforeYouPost:
Gettoknowyouraudienceandsocialmediaplatformsandpost/respond accordingly
Reviewpreviouspostsandinteractions
Postinghours:Dependsonaudienceandplatform-butit’smoreaboutwhatyou postandlessaboutwhen
Threesecondaudition:Yourcontentshouldbeabletograbattentionwithoutsound inthreeseconds
Qualityoverquantity:Consistencyisimportant,buttheaudienceprefersquality overfluff.Authenticityiskey
Eachsocialmediaplatformusesalgorithmtodeliverpoststofollowers.Within minutesofapostgoinglive,thechannelmeasureshowtheaudienceisreacting.If thepostishighlyengaged,itwillbeburiedlowerornotshownatall Willthispostfitintomytargetaudience’sfeed,orwillitstickoutbecauseit’s “selling?”
Beplayful-socialmediashouldbefun
DeliverValue:Thinkwhenyou’reposting-Whatisthisofferingmyfollowers? ParticularlyamongGen.ZandMillennials,audiencemembersunfollowaccounts thatdon’tdelivervalueintheirposts
Guidelines
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Grammarisimportant.Remainconciseandconversational,whilekeepinggrammar intact.GrammarlyisafreeappandChromeextensionthatchecksyourcopyasyou type.
Fitintoyouraudience’sfeed
Beinthemoment.Balancepostsplannedmonthsinadvancewithin-the-moment (responsive)content.
Useemojissparinglyandthoughtfully
BalancetheelementsoftheWesternexperienceyourepresent:athletics,visits, academics,service,outcomes,etc.
Followtheaccountsofthoseyou’retryingtoreach(students,etc.)andthoseyou canimitate(similardepartmentsatotheruniversities,etc.)
Crowdsourcecontent-borrowandrepost.Alwaysaskpermissionandgivecredit. Cross-promoteotheron-campuschannels’campaignsandinitiatives.Whenwe amplifyeachother,everyonegrows!
Respondtoquestionsandengagefeedback
Implementadepartmentalprocessforquicklyansweringsocialmediaquestions. Likeandcommentonresponses,andstaypositive.
Ifthingsgetcontentious,taketheconversationtoaprivatemessageoroffline.Be mindfulthatDMsareoftenscreenshottedandreposted.
Routinelysweepforoutdated“about”informationandlinks.
UniversityMarketingandCommunicationsandthePhotography&DesignProductions storeandsharephotosthroughPhotoShelter.Ifyouareunabletodownloadaphoto youwant,contactthePhotography&DesignProductionsat(309)298-1358or PDP@wiu.edu.YoucanalsoschedulePDPtotakephotosforevents.
SocialMediaAccessibilityGuidelines
SocialmediaaccountsatWesternIllinoisUniversitymustmakeeveryefforttoensure contentisaccessibletoallaudiences.WIU’sflagshipsocialmediaaccountswillonly share,repost,andretweetaccessiblecontent.
General
Images
Allimagesshouldincludealternativetext(alttext).Alttextcanbeaddedon Facebook,Instagram,X(Twitter),andLinkedIn.
Ifaplatformauto-generatesimagedescriptions,reviewandeditthemtoensure theycapturethecorrectmeaningandcontext.
Whenalttextisaddedintheplatform’sdesignatedfield,itshouldnotalsobe repeatedinthepostcaption,asthiscreatesredundancyforscreenreaderusers. Whenplacingtextoveracoloredbackground,useacontrastcheckertoconfirmthe textisaccessible.
Videos
Allvideosmustincludecaptionstosupportuserswhoaredeaf,hard-of-hearing, non-nativespeakers,orthoseinsound-sensitiveenvironments.Captionsmaybe either:
Closedcaptions(viewercanturnthemon/off),or
Opencaptions(alwaysvisibleinthevideo)
On-screentextshouldbecheckedwithacontrastcheckertoensurereadability. Videosandothermediashouldnotautoplaybydefault,asthiscancreatebarriers foruserswithcognitiveimpairments,ADHD,photosensitiveepilepsy,andother conditions.Ifautoplaycannotbedisabled,notifyusers(e.g.,“Thisvideowill automaticallyplayinanewwindow”).
SocialMediaAccessibilityGuidelines
General(continued)
AnimatedGIFs
NotallplatformsallowalttextonGIFs,whichcancreateaccessibilitychallengesfor screenreaderusers.
X(Twitter)allowsalttextforbothimagesandGIFs.
DonotrelysolelyonGIFstoconveyinformation.Postsshouldbeunderstandable withoutthem.Ifneeded,addashortdescriptioninbracketsattheendofthepost.
Hashtags
UseCamelCase(capitalizethefirstletterofeachword,e.g.,#LeatherneckPride)so screenreaderscanpronouncethemcorrectly.
Limitthenumberofhashtagsineachpost,asscreenreaderswillreadeveryone.
EmojisandEmoticons
Screenreadersreademojisastheirdescription(e.g.,“clappinghands”),whichmay confuseusersifinsertedbetweenwords.
Useemojissparingly,andalwaysplaceaspacebeforeandafterthem.
Emoticons(e.g.,:))arereadliterally(e.g.,“semicolonparenthesis”)andshouldbe usedminimally,ifatall.
Infographics
Usestrongcolorcontrasttomakegraphicsaccessibleforindividualswithcolor blindnessorlowvision.
Infographicsareimagesandmustincludealttext.
SocialMediaAccessibilityGuidelines
General(continued)
Hyperlinks
KeepURLsshort,asscreenreadersreadthemcharacterbycharacter.Freetoolsare availabletoshortenlinks.
PlainLanguage
Useclear,simplelanguageandavoidunnecessaryacronyms.Ensurethemeaningof eachpostiseasytounderstand.
SocialMediaAccessibilityGuidelines
Twitter/X
Photos and GIFs
On X (Twitter), you can add alt text to photos and animated GIFs by selecting “Add description” after uploading the file. Many social media management platforms also offer alt text options make sure to use them
Videos
All videos must include captions.
Hashtags and Emojis
Limit the number of hashtags and emojis in a single post. Do not place emojis between words, as this makes posts harder for screen readers to interpret.
Mentions
Limit the number of tagged handles in your posts Screen readers will read each handle aloud, which can overwhelm users
Unicode Text
Avoid using Unicode text (e.g., decorative fonts), as it is often inaccessible. Screen readers may skip it entirely or read it incorrectly.
SocialMediaAccessibilityGuidelines
Images
WhileFacebookautomaticallygeneratesalttextforimages,itisofteninaccurate. Werecommendreviewingandeditingtheautogeneratedalttext. Toeditalttext,click“Options”onthephotoandselect“ChangeAltText.”
Videos
Captionscanbeaddedbyuploadingan.SRTfile. Facebookalsoprovidesauto-generatedcaptions,butthesemustbereviewedand correctedforaccuracybeforepublishing.
LiveVideos
Providelivecaptionswheneverpossibleduringlive-streamedevents. Ifreal-timecaptionsarenotavailable,addcaptionstotherecordedvideoassoonas possibleaftertheevent.
UnicodeText
AvoidusingUnicodetext(e.g.,stylizedfonts),asitisofteninaccessible.Screen readersmayskipthetextentirelyorreaditincorrectly.
SocialMediaAccessibilityGuidelines
Images
Allimagesmustincludealttext. Someschedulingplatformsallowyoutoaddalttextduringthepublishingprocess. IfpostingdirectlyonInstagram,goto“AdvancedSettings”onthefinalscreenbefore publishing,thenselect“WriteAltText”undertheaccessibilitysection.
Videos
Videospostedasfeedpostsorreelsmustincludeburned-incaptions. Storiesoffercaptioningtools,butauto-captionsshouldalwaysbereviewedand editedforaccuracybeforepublishing.
HashtagsandEmojis
Limitthenumberofhashtagsandemojis. Donotplaceemojisbetweenwords,asthismakespostshardertointerpretwith screenreaders.
SocialMediaAccessibilityGuidelines
Images
Alttextshouldbeaddedtoallphotosbyselecting“AddAltText”afteruploading. Ondesktop,ifnoalttextisadded,LinkedInmaygenerateitautomaticallyafter posting.Besuretoreviewandedittheautogeneratedtextforaccuracy.
Videos
Whenpostingfromdesktop,captionscanbeaddedbyuploadingan.SRTfile. Captioningisnotcurrentlyavailablewhenuploadingvideosfrommobile.
YouTube
WIUaccountsshouldmakeeveryefforttoprovideaccuratecaptionsonYouTube videos.Auto-generatedcaptionsalonedonotmeetaccessibilitystandardsandmustbe thoroughlyreviewedandeditedforaccuracy.Foradditionalguidance,seeWIU’s MultimediaAccessibilityresources.
WORKFLOW
Aseriesofcommonlyusedprocessesandinformationalsegments tomoreefficientlyposttosocialmedia.
Social Media Guidelines
Guidelines for Creating a Channel
WIU Marketing serves as administrator for all approved Facebook pages to ensure consistency, accessibility, and brand integrity.
All other social accounts must send a current password to University Communications & Marketing (marketing@wiu.edu) to keep on file.
Unit/department accounts must follow WIU’s brand standards and updated best practices.
Visual Guidelines
Use the official WIU logo or an approved unit-specific photo. No text/lockups in logos.
Choose high-quality cover images with minimal text.
Maintain consistent visual branding across all platforms.
Content Guidelines
Use professional, high-quality photos and videos (see WIU media library). Keep graphics simple and easy to read; let captions provide the details.
Share a mix of content—text, photos, videos, and stories—to keep audiences engaged. Write in a voice that reflects WIU: smart, approachable, supportive, and proud. Ensure all content is accessible and follows plain language principles.
Running a Channel
Before creating a new account, ask:
Resources: Can it be monitored and updated consistently?
Content: Do you have at least three weeks of posts prepared?
Audience: Is it large enough to justify a separate page, or would content be stronger on an existing WIU channel?
Management: Each account must have at least two administrators listed with WIU Marketing.
Best Practices
Plan Ahead: Use a content calendar tied to key events, campaigns, and initiatives.
Post Consistently: Inactive accounts may be shut down.
Engage: Respond to comments and messages promptly and respectfully.
Respect Privacy: Do not share confidential student, employee, or patient information (FERPA, HIPAA compliance applies).
Be Professional: Even on personal accounts, maintain professionalism and respect.
Use Hashtags: When appropriate, use official and relevant hashtags to extend reach.
Event Promotion: Promote events using official event hashtags and branded graphics when available.
Track Performance: Review analytics and adjust strategy every 3–6 months.
Safety & Responsibility
Protect your accounts with strong passwords and updated security software. Be mindful that posts are public and permanent even if deleted.
Think before posting: how will this reflect on you, your department, and WIU? Never impersonate others or misrepresent WIU online.
Ask permission before sharing photos or personal details of others.
Federal Accessibility Compliance
Western Illinois University is committed to being fully compliant with ADA Digital Accessibility Rule. Starting April 2026: DOJ now requires digital accessibility under ADA Title II. Compliance with WCAG 2.1 standards is due by April 24, 2026. Applies to websites, online courses, and third-party content.
Focus is shifting from “accommodation if requested” to proactive compliance. Governing boards should: audit content, update vendor contracts, invest in training/tech, and oversee readiness.
Read more: https://go.wiu.edu/4nzVsi7
Tutorials
TheofficialUniversityaccounthandleis@westerniluniv.Thishandlecanbefound acrossallsocialmediachannelsandshouldbeutilizedinprintpublicationsto directviewershiptocontentpostedbytheofficialUniversitysocialmedia.
MakeInstagramStickers
Step 1: Create a GIPHY channel
CreateaGIPHYchannelasanArtistorBrand.Iftherearecomplicationswiththat step,createaGIPHYchannelandhavethechannelconvertedtoa“Brand”GIPHY channelbyemailingpartnerships@giphy.comandstatingthatyou’reinterestedin convertingyourGIPHYchanneltoabrandedchannel.ThiswillallowanyGIFsyou createtobesearchedwithintheInstagramandSnapchatstickersections.Without branding,theGIFswillnotbesearchable.
Step 2: Create GIFs
CreateGIFsinAdobePhotoshopandmakesurethebackgroundistransparent. Here’satutorial.
ThemoreanimatedGIFsarecreatedinAdobeAfterEffects.Here’satutorialof howtoexportavideofileasavideowithatransparentbackground.Itwillthen needtobeimportedintoAdobePhotoshop,havetheframesconvertedinto individuallayers,andthenexportedforthewebasaGIF.Here’satutorialforhow tocompletethatwithinPhotoshop.There’sasectionthatsays“optional:importa video”andthosedirectionsshouldbefollowedifyou’retakingthevideoroute. You’llwanttoensurethebackgroundistransparentuponexporting.
Asfortechnicalspecs,GiphystatesthefollowingaboutcreatingGIFstickers: UploadyourstickersasGIFfiles(APNGfilesarecurrentlynotsupported) Stickersmustbeexportedwithatleast20%transparentpixels,nowhiteor opaquecolorbackgrounds.
Size:500-600pxwithaneven-numberedheightandwidth. Thereisnomaximumfilesize;ourserverwillautomaticallyresizethesticker onupload.
RGBcolormodeismandatory Settoloopforeveruponexporting.
Step3:UploadtheGIFtotheGIPHY.comwebsite
Thistutorialwillprovideyouwithsomebasics.Makesureyouusea variationofkeywordsthatwillbesearchablebyusers!
BuyingaSnapchatFilter
https://helpsnapchatcom/hc/en-us/
We recommend submitting your order at least 24 hours before its launch date so you’ll have time for last-minute edits! You can submit a Filter or Lens up to 180 days ahead of time.
1.DesignYourFilter
2.ChooseaStartandEndTime
ScheduleastartandendtimeforyourFilter.Thisisthewindowoftimewhen yourFilterwillbeavailableforSnapchatterstouse.YoucansetyourFilterto lastlongerwillincreasethecost.
3.ChoosetheGeofence
TheGeofenceistheareathatSnapchattershavetobeinsotheycanuse yourfilter.Enteryoureventaddress,otherwisetheGeofencewilldefaultto yourcurrentlocation!DragthepointsofyourGeofencetochangeitsshape, andpinchyourfingersinandouttochangeitssize!YourFilter’spricewill automaticallyupdatebasedonhowbigyourGeofenceis.
4.ConfirmYourFilterOrder
Duringthisconfirmationstep,youcanaddmoreinfoaboutyourFilter andmakesureallyoursettingsareright. ToconfirmyourFilterorder. ChooseifyouwanttoaddaGeoStoryforyourevent. NameyourFilter-wesuggestsomethingeasytorecognize. Double-checkalltheinfoonyourFilterorder. Tap‘Purchase’tosubmityourFilterforreview. TheywillnotifyyouifyourFilterisapproved.
NeedHelp?
Do you need help promoting an event, making a social graphic, help writing a social media caption, etc.? Feel free to email our Social Media Coordinator at Marketing@wiu.edu.
What You Need to Send:
PROMOTINGEVENTS
Wearemorethanhappytohelpyoupromoteyourfutureevent!Allweneedisthe date,time,place,andotherdetailsabouttheevent.Wewillalsoneedaquality graphicthatshowsthebestpracticesofWIU’smarketing.Ifyouareunableto reachoutintimethereisachancethatwewillhavetodeclineduetoour availability.
GRAPHICS
Stumpedwhenmakingaqualitygraphic?Wecanhelp!Sendanemailto Marketing@wiu.eduwithdetailsaboutwhatyouaremakingagraphicfor,pictures (ifyouhavethem),andeverythingyouwantincludedinthegraphic.Pleasehaveall oftheinfosentaweekinadvance.
SOCIALMEDIACAPTIONS
Tryingtomakeadetailedbutstillengagingsocialmediacaptionforapost?Itcan bedifficult,butallyouhavetodoisemailallthedetailsoftheposttothe UniversityMarketingteamatMarketing@wiu.edu.
OurTargetAudiences
Intheever-evolvinglandscapeofsocialmedia,understandingtheprimary audiencesofeachplatformisessentialforcraftingeffectivecontentand communicationstrategies.Eachsocialmediaplatformattractsdistinctuser demographics,behaviors,andinterests,creatinguniquedigitalcommunitieswith theirownnormsandexpectations.
PrimaryaudiencesincludeAlumni,parentsofstudents,localMacombresidents,andnewsoutlets
Twitter(X)
PrimaryaudiencesincludeAlumni,currentstudents,clubs/organizationsoncampus,andnewsoutlets.This platformisgreatforinteractinginconversationsdirectlywithstudents
Primaryaudiencesincludecurrentstudents,prospectivestudents,transferstudents,andpastAlumni.Thisplatformis greatforshowcasingtheoverallcampusenvironment Imagerymayincludecampusscenery,studenteventsand involvement,andacademicsuccesses
Snapchat
Primaryaudiencesincludeprospectivestudents,currentstudents,andon-campusstaff Thisplatformisgreatfor repostingTikTokvideosandprovidingvisuals ofliveeventsthroughoutcampus
TikTok
Primaryaudiencesincludeprospectivestudentsandcurrentstudents ContentpostedtoTikTokisusuallyreflectiveof platformtrends,butalsoshowcasestheWIUbrand Studentsaremostfrequentlycreatorsasviewershipishigher whenorganic,relatablevideoshavestudentsassubjects
ThisplatformservesasabrandawarenesstoolandprimaryaudiencesincludeAlumni,prospectivestudents,andviewers identifiedasthefemalegender Contentpostedtothisplatformispassiveandusuallyprovidesvaluewhenimageryof campus,residencehallrooms,andeventsareposted
GIPHY
Primaryaudiencesincludecurrentstudents,prospectivestudents,transferstudents,andpastAlumni Thisplatform operatesasacommandcenterfordispersingcontentamongstotherplatforms InstagramStickersandGIFswithinthe GIPHYAPIarehousedhere
PrimaryaudiencesincludeAlumni,businessowners,andcurrentstudents Thisplatformservesasagreatresourceto pushstudentsuccessesouttoAlumniandprospectivedonors ThefunctionofthisplatformalsoinformsAlumniof updateswithintheUniversitycommunity
Socialmediamanagersacrosscampuscanvisitwiuedu/socialtoviewguidelinesandthecomprehensivesocialmediadirectory