If your college, department, or organization plans to start using social media, please fill out this form. If you have questions, please email the UNH social media director’s office to discuss best practices and find out what tools will work best for you.

Strategize. Think about messages, audiences, goals and a strategy for keeping your information organized. Some audiences may be on one social media network, but not another. Social media can be very time-consuming and maintaining more than one social network is difficult. Create a content calendar, or use Hootsuite, TweetDeck, or another social media management tool to organize posts so you always remember to post or schedule new content.

Launch. Once your site is established, add some content. When you launch and are ready to share, announce the new social channel via traditional channels like email, newsletters, and the department’s website.

Engage. Social media is all about communication. People use websites and blogs to get news and information, but social media is about engagement and interaction with your stakeholders, or community. Respond to comments; ask questions, share appropriate (stay on subject) photos and links. Engaging with your followers will make your site more valued. Please keep in mind that you are representing the University of New Hampshire.

Monitor. Social media sites are full of comments. Monitor, but accept and reply because it demonstrates to your audience that you’re listening. Depending on the social network, you can change settings to approve comments before they appear. Check settings of each social network.

Measure. Use Google Analytics, it’s free and it can help you calculate the activity on your social media networks. Facebook has built-in analytics called insights, so does YouTube. Google Analytics can be used with any website, any blog.

Stay Connected. Help keep #UNHSocial updated and connected. If you’re using social media, please fill out this form, which we’ll review and then list your social media site(s) on the UNH social media directory.

Social Media Guidelines: 

1. Recognize that everything you contribute to, or receive, on a social media site is in the public realm. You are responsible for whatever information you post.
2. Every UNH employee has a basic responsibility to safeguard and preserve the assets and resources of UNH and its component institutions and to conduct work duties in an ethical and professional manner. See the University System of New Hampshire Standard of Conduct and Personnel Policies.
3. The same professional standards expected of you on the job should be applied to your conduct in UNH-related social media matters.
4. Post meaningful, respectful comments that are relevant to your position at UNH. So, please—no spam, or remarks that are off-topic or offensive.
5. Use commonsense and courtesy in creating University-related social media content. If you have even the slightest doubt, ask your supervisor if the content you want to post is appropriate—BEFORE you post it!
6. Stick to your area of expertise when posting.
7. If the public shares an opinion that you disagree with on a UNH-related social media site or issue, keep your response appropriate, professional, and polite. Sometimes, it is best to not respond at all.
8. Be aware that social media sites’ terms of service and privacy policies can change, without notice. In general, social media sites are privately owned and operated
9. Please, never comment on anything related to legal matters or pending litigation.
10. Integrate your social media channels across all existing digital properties and websites. Wherever interaction takes place is an opportunity to connect. This will increase your followers and help amplify your messages through social media.

These guidelines are designed to help UNH staff create and contribute to University-related electronic social media and to do so in a respectful, professional, relevant way that protects the university’s reputation and mission. We recognize the value in this new medium and encourage participation by UNH units as long as it falls within their communication needs and goals.