This section is intended to aid in your social media practice and implementation. Any Boston College employee who manages or oversees social media channels should join the .Ìý
If you have suggestions or questions, please contact social@bc.edu
Ìý
Social Media Support
Ìý
When you use social channels from an official Boston College account, you are representing the Ï㽶Ðã brand and the University. The Ï㽶Ðã Social Media Team has created simple guidelines to follow to create usernames, avatars or profile icons, and background or cover images.
All official University accounts should utilize the profile icons provided by the Office of University Communications.
Ï㽶Ðã social media accounts should also be registered on theÌýÏ㽶Ðã Social Media Directory. If an account is active and missing, fill out thisÌýform.Ìý
Instagram Photo: @meaganroecker
Need a little more help with the social media lingo? HubSpot put together a Ìý(last updated in 2023).
And if social media is still new to you, check out some beginner's guides:
- Ìý(divided by channel)
Instagram Photo: @kkkbent.jpg
This website is the key to all your image sizing questions. It is kept up to date and includes all social media platforms. It is important to size photos and graphics to the correct size so that audiences see the appropriate, undistorted images.
Ìý
Sprout Social also created a cheat sheet for video dimentions, ratios, file sizes, formats, and length.Ìý
Ìý
Hootsuite created infographics for each social platform to view image and video sizes to preview within the channel bounds.
Instagram Photo: @mariacire
Only post images on social media that you have permission to use, including those from fans. Many times followers will send photos. It is always worth a direct message to ensure it permissible to use the media on your channel.
The Office of University Communications maintains a collection of available to the Ï㽶Ðã community. Ï㽶Ðã credentials are required to login and VPN is required if off campus.
If you are in need of stock images a variety of websites exist but it is imperative that you read all policies and guidelines regarding their usage. Foleon provides a , and the Ï㽶Ðã social media team has found Ìýand to have wide arrays of useful photography.
Instagram Photo: @liamweir
Many of us are not Photoshop gurus but graphics and video are now part of the social media landscape. Here are some useful tools to make stunning social graphics (and beyond) that are easy to use:
- (free with your Adobe login)
- (creates motion graphics)
- Ìý(easy-to-use video creation site)
- (creates social stories)
Instagram Photo: @j.ange1_
Hashtags (#) are used on most social networks - but most widely on Twitter and Instagram - as a way to explain or tag a message. They unite themes and topics and categorize information to make posts searchable.
The use of hashtags makes your posts and accounts easier to find and share, but be weary of using too many in the same post. Too many hashtags distract your audience, may look like spam and some channels, including Twitter, may even flag it as spam.
Connect with the Boston College community with the most commonly used hashtags at Ï㽶Ðã:
| #WeAreÏ㽶Ðã | An all-encompassing phrase to reach the Ï㽶Ðã community and show off Boston College pride |
| #bc360 | User-generated content; use to be featured on the Ï㽶Ðã Instagram feed |
| #Ï㽶ÐãAppa | Follow the hundreds of Ï㽶Ðã students who spend their spring break doing service projects as part of the Appalachia Volunteers program. |
| #Ï㽶ÐãBabies | The next generation of Eagles displaying Ï㽶Ðã pride |
| #Ï㽶ÐãEndeavor | Keep connected with the Endeavor program, which works sophomores in the liberal arts to find a career path. |
| #Ï㽶ÐãExperts | Used when identifying one of our many faculty or staff who excel in their given subject area |
| #Ï㽶ÐãHistory | Used when people are talking about the University’s history |
| #Ï㽶ÐãJobShadow | Students spend their breaks with Ï㽶Ðã alumni in prospective career fields. See the results. |
| #Ï㽶ÐãMatch | When cupid strikes on the Heights |
| #Ï㽶ÐãonBreak | A look at Boston College pride on display around the world (usually taken during the semester, spring, and summer breaks) |
| #Ï㽶ÐãParents | Not only providing Parents' Weekend updates and news, but also a look at what a Ï㽶Ðã parent is all about |
| #Ï㽶ÐãPets | Our favorite furry friends doning Ï㽶Ðã gear or on the Ï㽶Ðã campus |
| #Ï㽶ÐãReunion | Get all the Reunion Weekend buzz and see all happenings on the Heights when Eagles reunite |
| #Ï㽶ÐãVentures | Used when talking about one of the many Ï㽶Ðã alumni or student startups or the programming surrounding the active venture community on the Ï㽶Ðã campus |
| #BostonCollege | Any photo taken on the Boston College campus (usually used on Instagram) |
| #EaglesforOthers | A modified version of the Jesuit phrase, "men and women for others" stands as a motto to explain that social justice is a foundational element of Jesuit education worldwide. |
| #EvertoExcel | The Boston College motto derived from the sixth book of Homer's Ilia. |
| #GassonGram | Paired with photos of our iconic and beautiful Gasson Hall |
| #Ï㽶Ðã____ | Join in by welcoming Ï㽶Ðã’s newest class each year with the specific graduating year (e.g., #Ï㽶Ðã2023, #Ï㽶Ðã2024, etc.) |
| #ForBoston | Specifically used for Ï㽶Ðã Athletics posts; a nod to the fight song |
Ìý
Instagram Photo: @a.eichler
There is a lot of information about social media out there. If you are interested in keeping up with the trends and changes, have a specific question, or are looking for vaulable insight, these blogs (some with newsletters) can provide a wealth of knowledge.
- Ìý(focus on Instagram)
- (not for the beginner, rather for those who love all things social)Ìý
Ìý
Instagram Photo: @vecchiophotography