Social media
Social media allows the University, and its staff and students, to engage with audiences in a new way. However, this also brings many more risks than with traditional printed and electronic communications.
The Faculty has developed an overview social media policy to support colleagues who are using social media on behalf of the University or to represent the University in a professional capacity. The policy will evolve and grow in line with the University’s own social media policy. The aim is to:
- promote good practice
- support colleagues to make effective use of social media
- protect the University, its staff, and students.
The below guidelines are intended as advice for staff using social media in a professional capacity. If you are posting as yourself but identify yourself as a University member of staff then you should make it clear that the views you express are not necessarily those of the University and should not use the University’s logos or branding within your posts or accounts.
Do
- Let us know if you open a University social media account
- Remember that you are representing the University and your posts should be professional and respectful in tone. Remember that what you say and how you say it will impact upon the University’s reputation.
- Make sure you align with the branding guidelines if you are managing a University account. The University has clear guidelines which outline the use of images, videos, writing for the web and tone of voice. Before starting to use social media make sure you understand these.
- Think twice before posting. Social media is permanent. Remember whatever you post will be there for the world to see, so if you wouldn’t publish it on the internet or tell a journalist, then don’t commit it to social media.
- Be honest. Even though social media seems like an anonymous tool it is important to be honest about who you are and who you are representing when you are posting content.
- Know your audience and be prepared – make a plan! Social media provides a great opportunity to engage with people who are interested in what the University is doing but don’t assume you know what they want. Plan social media as part of your normal communications plans and make sure you review which posts people are interested in/commenting on. Always remember though that anyone can be part of your social media community (even journalists and staff from other Universities) so if you wouldn’t say it to a journalist don’t post it online!
- Always be courteous and polite
- Make time for social media. If you are going to represent the University you need to make time for social media. Followers expect continuity and responsiveness. There is nothing more guaranteed to lose followers than a Twitter account that hasn’t ‘tweeted’ for many days, weeks or months.
- Respond to negative as well as positive comments. Not all your followers will have positive things to say about what you are posting but that doesn’t mean you can simply ignore them. Even negative comments need a response. But always remember to be polite – even if you don’t feel like it!
- Respect other’s privacy. Don’t post private information or personal details (yours or others), particularly about staff or students.
Don't
- Spam. Your followers don’t want to be overloaded with information which isn’t relevant to them. Make sure your posts are relevant or connected to what your followers have signed up for!
- Express personal opinions when representing the University. You are representing the University when you use social media in an official capacity, so steer clear of expressing personal opinions. If you want to use social media to express your own views make sure you use your personal account.
Using social media
Please see the University's social media guidelines.
Resources
- Creating social media content for knowledge exchange and impact
- Creating video content for social media
- Effective use of social media for disseminating research
- Enhancing your social media and digital profile
- Marketing campaign landing page request form
- Social advertising brief
- Social media
- Social media guidelines