WSU Web Team

Establish an internal process The web is not anonymous. Everything written or posted on behalf of the University can be traced back to the U and to a specific individual. Before launching a social networking site: Notify your college/department/unit communications staff. Vow to keep University contact information accurate and current. Understand that passwords and administrator access to the site must be carefully managed. Establish criteria for replying to comments, including timeliness and appropriateness. Select a University of Minnesota social networking tool (PDF) whenever possible. Avoid duplicating efforts. Be aware of current initiatives under way by checking the University Social Networking chart.

Link back—Provide links back to a unit's web page(s) from the social networking sites. Look like the U—Use the University profile icons and tap into 150 years of brand equity. Share your social networking site—Many University units and programs have official University social networking presences. Add the name to the University list by submitting the link to brand@umn.edu.

niversity of Minnesota social networking sites should not be tied to any individual's email address whenever possible. Use an organizational/functional email address for official University business. Use a student organization email address for student sites.

institutions must be able to answer the following questions before launching a social media program: What is your plan? What is your end goal? How will you measure success? What audiences are you targeting? Can you provide content for those audiences?

Use social media to reach out to journalists

Monitor online communications about your institution on a regular basis