S
CIAL
SQUAD
presents
SOCIAL MEDIA
NEWSLETTER
September 2024
VOL. 2
ISSUE 9
INTRODUCTION
Dear VCU Social Media Champions,
As the crisp autumn air settles in and the vibrant hues of fall paint our campus, it’s time to channel our collective energy and enthusiasm into something truly special. September is here, and with it comes an incredible opportunity to celebrate and amplify the spirit that makes VCU such a unique and dynamic place.
In this issue of our Social Media Administrators Newsletter, we’re diving headfirst into the theme of “School Spirit.” From the roar of Rams fans at home games to the spirited discussions in classrooms, our community is a powerhouse of pride and positivity. This month, we’ll explore ways to harness that energy and showcase it across our social media platforms, ensuring that every post, tweet and story reflects the vibrant pulse of VCU.
We’re excited to share strategies, tips and highlights that will help us all connect more deeply with our audience and elevate the sense of camaraderie that defines our university. Let’s come together to make this September not just a new season, but a celebration of our shared passion for VCU.
Here’s to a month of creativity, connection and unforgettable school spirit!
Saher Randhawa
Sr. Social Media and Communications Manager
Ask SAHER
How quickly should I respond to student inquiries on social media?
While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, aiming for a response time of under 24 hours is ideal. For urgent inquiries, especially around event registrations or deadlines, try to respond within a few hours. Establishing clear guidelines for response times can help manage expectations and ensure consistent communication. It’s also beneficial to use automated responses to acknowledge messages during off-hours, reassuring students that their inquiries are important and will be addressed soon.
By prioritizing engagement, university social media administrators can create a welcoming and supportive online environment. This not only strengthens the university’s relationship with current students but also enhances its reputation among prospective students and the wider community. Consider integrating these strategies into your social media practices this September and observe the positive impact on your engagement levels!
TIPS:
Actively responding to comments and messages is crucial for building a strong online community and fostering trust among students and followers. When administrators take the time to interact with users, it creates a sense of connection and shows that the university values their input and concerns. Here are a few strategies to enhance engagement:
Make it a habit to reply to comments, whether they’re questions, feedback or simple acknowledgments. This shows that you’re listening and appreciate their engagement.
Set aside dedicated time each day to check for and respond to direct messages. Timely responses show that you are attentive and care about their inquiries.
Compile common questions and concerns into a Frequently Asked Questions section on your social media pages. This can save time for both you and your followers, while still encouraging engagement.
Use a friendly and approachable tone in your responses. This can make followers feel more comfortable interacting with your accounts.
Ask open-ended questions in your posts to spark conversations. This invites followers to share their thoughts and experiences, which can lead to increased engagement.
Acknowledge and share user-generated content that features the university, such as student achievements or events. This not only highlights your audience but also encourages others to participate.
CONTENT TIPS & TRENDS
School spirit is all about sharing positivity. That’s why when it comes to creating content, we always keep RecWell’s positive, inclusive and empowering model in mind. Here’s a summary of what the model entails, as detailed by Mia Liadis, assistant director for health promotion. - Loan Nguyen & Jaleelah Harris
POSITIVE
INCLUSIVE
What images and language are being represented? Can people see themselves in the work that we do?
EMPOWERING
The "you gave us the info, now what?" Give students tools and tips to make informed decisions.
Stay away from scare tactics and negativity. Focus on what students can do instead of what they “can’t” or “shouldn’t.”
While the “we let our Gen Z intern edit this video” trend is fun, the emphasis is often on the intern doing a bad or unprofessional job. If you want to use this trend, we recommend putting a much more positive spin on it.
Things that are too trendy can make people feel left out. We’re always mindful that our campus is extremely diverse, with folks of all different backgrounds, ages, genders and more. Remember, our content should always make people feel invited in.
Empowering content for students can come in various forms, such as educational resources, wellness, career development, student achievements & more!
Always keep your call to action in mind. Hint: the number of “saves” on your posts is one great indicator of how helpful your content is to viewers.
As a reminder, the brand standards, guidelines and resources can be found at brand.vcu.edu. If you have any additional questions please contact identity@vcu.edu.
LET’s TALK DESIGN
I hope you’re all off to a great start of the new semester! As we head into the school year and say goodbye to summer, this is a reminder to make sure your social media designs are in compliance with the new brand standards that went into effect Aug. 1. - Abby Giuseppe
- No longer using the “angle” graphic or “Make it real” tagline
- Only using approved brand standard fonts
- Use black and gold as the primary colors in all materials
- Incorporate UNCOMMON messaging and storytelling
- Use the new PowerPoint/Slides template for all presentations
- Ensure your brand marks are compliant
- Utilize the new email templates
- Follow the standards for photo and video productions, social media and websites.
compliance corner
Thank you to all who have reached out to us to ensure your VCU department/unit social media accounts are in compliance with the new Social Media Acceptable Use Policy and updated guidelines. As we embark on a new school year, take a few minutes to answer the following questions:
Are your VCU department/unit social media accounts approved/registered with Enterprise Marketing and Communications?
If you answered “No” to any of these questions or are not sure whether your accounts are in compliance, it is time to reach out to socialmedia@vcu.edu.
- Donna Crawford
Do you have a social media strategy and post regularly?
Have you reviewed the Social Media Policy and Guidelines recently?
GOODBYE TO BRANDING BOB!
Bob, age 24,
in the recording studio!
As we celebrate Bob Saydlowski’s remarkable career at VCU, we want to acknowledge the incredible impact he’s had as our Brand Identity Manager. Bob has been a cornerstone of our institution, demonstrating unwavering dedication and exceptional creativity in shaping our brand’s identity. His innovative approach and leadership in branding have not only advanced our programs but also inspired countless colleagues and students. As he embarks on this well-deserved retirement, we extend our deepest gratitude and will truly miss his creative vision and branding expertise. Bob, your legacy at VCU will undoubtedly be felt for years to come.
Although Bob is retiring, you can still always email identity@vcu.edu for any branding questions!
MEET OUR NEW
SOCIAL MEDIA INTERN!
We are excited to share that our new social media intern, Reina Melgar (she/they), just started with us this fall! You’ll be seeing a lot of her this semester on our social media pages and especially via reels on Instagram! To help you get acquainted with Reina, check out their responses below to our spotlight questions:
Where were you and what were you doing at your last job?
- In my last role as a DEI/Merchandising intern at Total Wine & More, I focused on creating a project to engage Hispanic consumers, which I then presented to coworkers and executive leadership. I also helped with creating deliverables for campus recruitment and multicultural events done at the office. Additionally, I collaborated with the wine-buying team in merchandising, gaining hands-on experience in product selection and negotiating with suppliers.
Where are you from?
- I’m from Rockville, Maryland.
What are you most excited about working here?
- I’m excited to get some hands-on experience collaborating with a creative team. I’m also excited to go out and talk to VCU students!
What’s your favorite thing to do when you aren’t in the office?
- I love going on walks/hikes/adventures with my dog! We are always trying to find the next best thing in Richmond together.
What are two interesting/unique things about you that no one would know?
- One interesting thing about me is that I used to work at Disney, LEGO and Build-A-Bear. Another interesting thing about me is that I love cooking and baking. I’m always cooking something different every night!
What’s you favorite color, book, movie, artist, or vacation spot?
- My favorite color is pink, my favorite movie is How to Train Your Dragon and my favorite artist is Twenty One Pilots.
What’s your favorite candy or snack?
- I LOVE chocolate chip cookies!
FAQs & REMINDERS
Can my student intern be an admin for our accounts?
When are the social media admin meetings?
- Monthly social admin meetings take place every 3rd Tuesday of the month at noon via Zoom! The next meeting will take place on September 17 from Noon to 1 p.m.
- No, your student intern should not be an admin, aka a manager of your social media accounts. However, they may help you create and post content. Only full-time employees should be registered admins. Update admins here.
How do I make sure my social media posts are accessible?
- Take the VCU social media accessibility training via Talent@VCU to learn tips for each platform.
What are the first things I should do when a social media admin leaves or changes?
- Change the passwords to your accounts and put in a ticket to Jira to update admin contacts for your social media channels.
Reach out to us for questions, concerns or recommendations:
Missed a monthly meeting or newsletter?
Information Security Update:
The VCU Information Security Officer wants to inform everyone that “there is an increased risk of cyber threats due to an increased sophistication associated with social engineering tactics and a general recent increase in cyber threat activities. Be extra diligent with emails/messages with links, even if these emails appear to be from someone you know. You can hover your mouse/cursor over a link to see its true destination, or tap and hold a link on a phone or tablet to see its true destination. Also, any phone calls, emails, or text messages claiming to be from IT must be carefully examined. VCU IT Support will never call, text, or email you to offer remote access support. When in doubt, contact infosec@vcu.edu for validation.”
Join us on social media!
Join the VCU Social Media Admin group on Facebook!
Visit our website!
Official VCU Social Media:
President Rao’s Social Media:
Do you have photos or videos of Dr. Rao and/or student/faculty life around VCU? Tag us on Instagram @VCU or @VCUPresident or email socialmedia@vcu.edu for a chance to have your content reposted!