This document provides guidance on using Twitter and Facebook for departmental accounts. It discusses that Twitter is a microblogging platform for networking and information sharing using tweets of up to 140 characters, while Facebook allows sharing of various media types and analyzing engagement through pages and posts. Key terminology for both platforms is defined, and it is emphasized that engagement with followers through responses, questions, and sharing of media is most important. Consistent posting and use of hashtags can help increase interactions and organize content. Developing a long-term strategic plan is advised to tie social media use to events and keep content professional.
2. Twitter & Facebook for Departmental Accounts
Social Media
Social (friends/connections) Media (news/information)
Twitter (twitter.com)
Information network made up of 140-character posts called Tweets
Personal learning network
Networking, marketing, information exchange
Official accounts no different than personal accounts
Facebook (facebook.com)
Connecting friends with multiple forms of media
Official account “Pages” are “Liked” by account holders
Ability to share more information & more forms of media
Tons of tools to analyze performance
SEBS ITS - @SEBS_ITS
3. Twitter & Facebook for Departmental Accounts
Twitter Terminology & Culture
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Tweet – a post of up to 140 characters
Followers – accounts that follow you publicly
Following – accounts that you follow publicly
Handle – your Twitter Username (@ac_andycampbell)
#Hashtag – an index/keyword feature using the # symbol
Trending – the most popular topics being discussed
RT – Retweet, like an email forward
MT – Modified Tweet, forward with modifications
DM – Direct Message, private message
@Reply – to respond to a Tweet
Favorite – to mark a Tweet as a favorite
Mentions/Interactions – list of activity for interaction with your account
Lists – a means to organize information & accounts
Search – powerful tool to locate information in Twitter
SEBS ITS - @SEBS_ITS
4. Twitter & Facebook for Departmental Accounts
Facebook Terminology & Culture
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Posts or Status Updates – something shared on your timeline
Timeline – history of shared items
Likes – number of people who publicly follow your page
Newsfeed or Feed – listing of post for everything you follow
#Hashtag – can be used in Facebook also for search
Trending – here now also
Search – useful but not as powerful
Admin Panel – Powerful utility to analyze page performance
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5. Twitter & Facebook for Departmental Accounts
Engagement is Key
• Likes & Followers not as important as engaging with your
audience
• Share regular, consistent information
• Respond to your followers – answer, like, favorite
• Share media – pictures/video do best
• Keep the content short & sweet
• Follow some accounts or like some pages to connect
• Ask questions to start discussion
• Search for hashtags & keywords, add them to your posts
• Address the bad stuff head-on, honestly
SEBS ITS - @SEBS_ITS
6. Twitter & Facebook for Departmental Accounts
Engagement & Interactions
SEBS ITS - @SEBS_ITS
8. Twitter & Facebook for Departmental Accounts
#Hashtags & Keywords
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Search for information via # Hashtag or keyword
Tag Your Tweets with Hashtags
Helpful to organize, analyze & collect data
Anything goes #icanmakeupanythingiwanthere
Create unique hashtags for events,
presentations, etc.- search for them first to avoid
cross-conversations
• Include Hashtags on promotional materials to
get people talking & searching
SEBS ITS - @SEBS_ITS
9. Twitter & Facebook for Departmental Accounts
Have a Plan
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Long-term & short-term
Tie in with events
Regular posts or themed posts #Throwbackthurday
Scheduled posts – Buffer (bufferapp.com)
Learn from your community
Have multiple admins or contributors
Understand the different cultures (Twitter vs. Facebook)
Policy for responses, comments, etc.
Keep it consistent
Keep it professional
SEBS ITS - @SEBS_ITS
10. Twitter & Facebook for Departmental Accounts
Why the 140 Limit: http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/twitter-basics-why-140-charactersand-how-to-write-more_b1124
Twitter Glossary: https://support.twitter.com/articles/166337-the-twitter-glossary
Twitter for Beginners: http://mashable.com/2012/06/05/twitter-for-beginners/
Beginners Guide: http://readwrite.com/2012/01/09/a-beginners-guide-to-twitter
Hashtags: http://www.hashtags.org/
5 Facebook Business Page Checkup Tips:
http://socialmediatoday.com/crackerjackscribe/1888351/5-facebook-business-page-checktips
11 HigherEd Social Media Tips:
http://collegewebeditor.com/blog/index.php/archives/2013/11/14/hesm13-voices-11-greatsocial-media-tips-from-higher-ed-professionals/
Tips for Success: http://higheredmarketingjournal.com/social-media-and-higher-education/
SEBS ITS: https://twitter.com/SEBS_ITS
Andy Campbell: https://twitter.com/AC_AndyCampbell
SEBS & NJAES Social Media Channels: http://execdeanagriculture.rutgers.edu/community/
Rutgers Guide to Social Media: http://ur.rutgers.edu/web-ecommunications/using-socialmedia
SEBS ITS - @SEBS_ITS
11. Twitter & Facebook for Departmental Accounts
Thank you!
SEBS ITS - @SEBS_ITS
