Social Media Policies Social Media Policy 2018 | Page 4

GUIDELINES
Effective Social Media involves engaging the users, not in simply
broadcasting a message. This may involve accepting comments, user
postings or ratings. It may not even involve a direct response on your
site, but may dictate a response generated on someone else’s site or on
another thread. What is important to realize in SM is that you do not have
control over the message. However, you can help guide it by posting
truthful, regular messages and by responding to users. Below are some
guidelines to help you steer your messaging.
• Post at least weekly and if possible, more often. For visitors, pages
and sites with old posts appear unattended to and thus convey a
negative message about the site’s owner. If you cannot commit to
posting often, consider carefully whether you need the SM site at
this time.
• Respond quickly to users. Typically, users of SM sites visit them
with the expectations of quick interaction. Not responding quickly
enough will be seen negatively and may spread negative responses
about the University. If you cannot commit to responding quickly,
consider carefully whether you need the site at this time.
• Define your objectives. What are you trying to achieve with the site?
An open dialog? Disseminate information? Obtain feedback?
• Define your target audience.
• Establish who will maintain the site. Be specific about posting
frequency.
• Do not show bias in accepting “friend” or connection requests from
students. Establish an “accept all” or “reject all” policy.
• Be aware that anything posted online, including comments, may be
searched for and discovered well into the future.
• Be accurate. Ensure that you have your facts correct and link to your
sources.