Social Media Account Guidelines and Frameworks
Intent / Scope
These guidelines are for those who manage (including create, moderate, curate, and/or coordinate content) social media accounts on behalf of, or representing, Carleton University.
These guidelines are also suggested for any external agencies or contractors of the university who may be appointed to co-ordinate university social media accounts or who run parallel accounts which are associated with university programming, events, and/or partnerships.
1. Purpose
2. Goals and Principles
3. Before You Begin
4. Getting Started
5. Guidelines for Using Carleton University Social Media Accounts
6. Content and Engagement
7. Representing Our Brand
8. Managing Your Accounts
9. Community Guidelines
10. Personal Use of Social Media
Audience
Carleton’s social media guidelines apply to any account or profile, public or private, which is created under the University brand (using its name, brand, logo, or in any manner which identifies itself as a representative entity of Carleton). The guidelines do not apply to the personal accounts of students, faculty or staff.
These guidelines are not University policy; however, they do align with Carleton policies protecting brand, advertising, digital content, privacy and ensuring safety within our community. These guidelines are intended to promote best practice and to help our social media accounts meet the goals set out in our Strategic Integrated Plan while supporting and advancing university reputation.
Social Media managers and coordinators should use the guidelines related principles to create specific and actionable goals, know and engage with their audience, and create on-brand channels and content.
These guidelines have been developed in regard to best practice, with adaptations from Carleton University digital archives. Other higher education and non-profit guidelines were used as reference, including frameworks from the University of Manitoba, Brock University, University of British Columbia, The University of Michigan, amongst others.