Social media
Flinders University uses social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and more, on a daily basis to reach, connect and engage with its communities.
Submit a message for social media
If you would like to request an organic or paid social media post on the Flinders University corporate social media accounts, you will need to submit a request here.
Once the form is complete a member of Flinders Central Marketing team will review your request and respond within 2-3 business days.
Make sure that you have reviewed the social media guidelines and ensure that your message:
- is consistent with Flinders University policies and procedures
- protects the reputation of Flinders University and the professional reputation of staff
- is respectful of the views and privacy of individuals
- is in accordance with the generally accepted standards of use in social media communities.
Submit a video for YouTube
If you would like to submit a video to be included on the Flinders YouTube channel you will need to submit your video request online.
Videos must:
- have a clear purpose and target audience.
- be short and fast-paced.
- include a call to action (or at least a web address) at the end of the video
- include contact information for the media
- meet the YouTube community guidelines and comply with the University policies
- be of the format .WMV, .AVI, .MOV, or .MPG.
We will not accept video content that may reflect negatively or compromise Flinders University standing in the higher education sector.
It is also the applicant’s responsibility to have the relevant clearances on file from people featured in the video for the use of their image and statements in the video.
Make your event social media friendly
Social media, in particular Twitter, provides some great opportunities to:
- promote your event
- enhance participant and public engagement with the event
- provide real-time updates
- enhance post-event communication and engagement leading to a range of benefits.
- Choose a hashtag as soon as you start planning:
- Choose wisely: make sure no one else is currently using it, reflect the event (topic) & only use one
- Keep it short and unique eg #agingandgreekconference2019 is too long
- Broadcast the chosen hashtag prior to the start of the event (website, printed materials), get people talking & connecting.
- Advise speakers about the hashtag and ask them to include it into their presentation slides. Ask them to promote the event using the hashtag prior to the event.
- Include the twitter names of speakers within the program.
- Include twitter names (handles) on attendees badges
- Encourage the audience to tweet, ask questions and remind speakers you will be pausing (at the end of a speech) for online questions.
- Consider using a ‘social reporter’ to tweet (unless you have the relevant resource available).
- Display tweets during breaks (TV, digital display)
- Make sure your tweets add value to the event.
- Resist RT-ing every single tweet about the event
- Ensure the venue has sufficient wi-fi connection for people attending and provide wi-fi password info prior to the conference.
- If the event is public and has sufficient public interest consider live streaming the event, encouraging the public to participate by posting questions, etc. Note: this will take a bit of planning and resource allocation.
- Post speakers presentation online after the conference as soon as possible
- If you wish the conversation (buzz) to continue consider creating a storify of the event
Related links
Request a Flinders University social media account
If you are planning to set up a public social media account that will represent Flinders University or parts of Flinders University including organisational units, centres and institutes, programs, courses and services, you should submit your proposal using the request to set up a social media account form.
Closed social media groups and accounts or accounts not representing Flinders University are not subject to this process.
- Clearly identify the goals and audience for your account.
- Consider your goals and target audience and which social media platform will most likely achieve these goals and reach your audience.
- Establish a broad content plan for the account, including types of content you plan to post to meet your objectives, key dates and regularity of posts.
- Consider whether you can post this content via existing Flinders University social media accounts and factor in that you will need to build your audience for your account.
- Ensure you have the resources to manage the account including the allocation of an account manager/s who can undertake the responsibilities as outlined in the social media policy.
- Gain authorisation for establishing the account by an appropriate authority (preferably your College Executive Dean or Portfolio Head).
A social media account needs to have a dedicated account manager who will be responsible for:
- ensuring that information in posts about Flinders University, courses, services and other offerings are accurate and are not misleading
- ensuring that any personal information that will compromise the privacy of others is not posted or publicly requested
- ensuring content posted on behalf of the account does not breaching copyright
- regularly monitoring the account and ensuring that any posts by others that may be defamatory or lead to any other liability are deleted (where the social media platform allows)
- keeping the account and its community active by regularly posting and responding to comments and questions efficiently
- exercising a duty of care with the account’s social media community.
Social media guidelines
The following guidelines address the use of social media for Flinders University purposes, or where a staff member makes reference to Flinders University in social media environments.
It does not specifically cover the use of social media by individual staff members for personal purposes, but does include guidelines for staff to protect the University and themselves when engaging in social media for professional purposes.
They cover the use of social networking sites (eg Facebook, LinkedIn, Foursquare), video and photo sharing sites (eg YouTube), micro-blogging sites (eg Twitter), blogs (including those hosted by Flinders University, personal blogs and those hosted by traditional media publications), forums and discussion groups, and other websites that allow individual users and organisations to use simple publishing tools.
Always refer to and consider existing processes, stakeholders, and Flinders University policy when setting up and managing a social media initiative and before posting, if you are unsure of the appropriateness of the post you are considering making.
Always think before acting and remember that everything you post is in the public domain (and will remain in the public domain) and that all social media initiatives should be integrated with existing strategies, processes and policies.
If you are considering creating a social media page or profile for your area, secure the approval of your Executive Dean or Division Head and submit your proposal, with this approval, to the Director, Marketing and Communications via the Head, Digital Presence Services.
If the primary purpose of the initiative is for teaching and learning purposes contact the Director, Centre for Educational ICT.
When posting always think about your role in the University and consider whether it is appropriate for you to post certain kinds of material about Flinders University.
Do not post information about Flinders University that is not already publicly available and for which you do not have authority to release. Always consider any impact on the reputation of Flinders University and remember that all official statements in the name of the University must be authorised by the Council, the Chancellor or Vice-Chancellor.
Ensure that you protect Flinders University's confidential information and that you protect the privacy of the Flinders University community (staff, students, alumni, business and community partners).
f you are posting on behalf of the University, keep your personal views separate.
If you are making a post on a subject that relates directly to your University appointment, you may, in order to establish your credentials, use the University's address and give the title of your University appointment.
All staff have the right to express their views publicly on any matter of public interest as private citizens. In any personal posts you undertake, you should not include the name and address of the University (or any part of it, eg University Hall), or your University title and you should never use the Flinders University logo.
If, however, you mention Flinders University in any personal posts you undertake, you should be honest with the community with who you are engaging and identify yourself as a Flinders University staff member. Be clear that you are sharing such views as an individual member, not as a representative of Flinders University and never use the Flinders University logo in these circumstances.
The use of University time and IDS services for social media activity should be confined to its use for University purposes. University time and IDS services should not be used to engage in social media activity for personal or non-University related purposes.
The use of comments and posts is a key element of engagement in the use of social media.
When setting up a new initiative, investigate what options, if any, are available to you for monitoring comments and then ensure that you monitor comments and posts regularly (at least once a day) and respond accordingly.
Do not delete negative or critical comments as this diminishes the credibility of the community you have created. Rather, consider responding appropriately and refer to existing processes that are in place should it be a complaint.
You should, however, delete any comments or posts that are defamatory, based on unsubstantiated claims, infringe on another member's privacy, are based on unsolicited advertising or are of an abusive nature. Sometimes comments deleted may need to be dealt with outside of the social media environment. Check with your supervisor in the first instance.
It is a good idea to publish a disclaimer that outlines what posts you will remove.
Always check the facts and accuracy of the content you are posting on behalf of Flinders University. If you do make a mistake, correct it and admit to it.
Only offer advice, support and comment on a topic that falls within your area of responsibility at Flinders University. Otherwise refer to the relevant area of expertise.
Know the rules and terms of use for the particular social media community you are engaging with and adhere to these.
Be respectful to the individuals and communities with whom you are engaging. Be polite and respect people's views and copyright. Use the standard behaviour and social norms that would always be expected of you when engaging with the Flinders University community and as a Flinders University staff member.
If you have established a community in the social media space commit to maintaining and building that community by posting regularly, adding value by providing relevant insights and information and responding in a timely fashion to any posts seeking information. The use of social media is not totally free. Resources and time need to be allocated to the management and maintenance of any initiative.
Whether you are engaging in social media for professional or personal reasons avoid posting your personal contact details. In addition, always check what mechanisms are available to you in each space you operate in that allow you to manage your desired level of privacy. Use these mechanisms.
The use of social media can blur the line between your professional and personal life. Consider where you want to maintain that line and take actions to address it. For teaching staff this may mean deciding on whether, for example, to accept students as Facebook friends or not. If you decide to decline a friend request from a student, explain why.
Consider each medium you use and its role in your professional and personal life and then act accordingly. As a general guideline, LinkedIn is a medium for professional networking, Facebook is more of a personal social networking medium and Twitter can be either.
Remember that anything you post in the social media space is in the public domain. It can be searched and shared. Consider what impact a post (this includes a photo, video or link) may have if it was found by a current or future employer, colleague, student or research partner before posting it. Remember you are personally responsible for the content of your posts.
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