getting started on social media

facebookThis step-by-step guide will help you set up a standalone Facebook page for your department or institution so you can start using the social network to reach current and prospective students.

With over 1.9 billion users in over 210 countries, it is globally pervasive. Additionally, Facebook is the most widely used social network in higher education. Facebook is the ideal tool for you to interact with students, motivate their current efforts, and highlight department activities, courses, or differentiators that set your institution apart.

DID YOU KNOW?

80% of prospec-tive students are on Facebook. Are you?

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facebook

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1go to www.facebook.comClick on “Create a Page,” then login to your personal Facebook account to continue the page creation process.

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2 select the circled iconYou’ll want to click “Company, Organization or Institution.”

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3complete open fieldsSelect “Education” from the drop-down menu, and type in the name of your institution or continuing education department. Then click “Get Started.”

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4complete “About” infoWrite a description about your institution; include a link to the site where students can enroll in courses. Click “Save Info,” then skip the next 3 prompts.

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5 edit your “About” sectionClick on the “Edit” button.

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6click “Page Info” and editIn the “Short Description” section you can provide more information about your institution. Click “Save Changes,” and your profile is complete!

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This step-by-step guide will help you set up a Twitter account for your department or institution, so you can start communicating with current and prospective students via Tweet.

Currently, Twitter has over 900 million users and is the perfect platform for student support efforts. It allows students to ask quick questions, and allows you to respond in real time, with little effort. Also, tweets remain in your profile indefinitely, allowing future students the ability to reference past students’ questions or concerns.

DID YOU KNOW?

84% of college students prefer their college or university send up-to-the-minute news updates via Twitter.

twitter

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1 go to www.twitter.comComplete the “New to Twitter” section. It’s best to use your institutition’s name for “Full Name”.

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2continue account setupCreate a username and password. Your username is what students will use to find your Twitter account. Make it short and easy to remember.

twitter

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3 click “Let’s go!” This splash page doesn’t require any action.

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4select a few topicsThese will dictate what accounts your institution will automatically follow. We recommend selecting “News” and “Technology”.

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5skip this stepYou can follow email contacts, but we recommend skipping this step for now. The skip button is hidden in the bottom right-hand corner.

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6you’re all setYour page is complete. Pictured is what your “Home Feed” will look like. Here you’ll see the most recent tweets from Twitter accounts you follow.

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