The document provides 12 tips for using social media effectively presented by Tyler Thomas, a social media specialist at UNL. The tips include establishing a content committee, setting a social media strategy, branding social media channels consistently, creating engaging content, engaging with communities, republishing content across platforms, maximizing Facebook and Twitter use, using YouTube and Instagram, promoting social channels, and using third-party tools. The tips are aimed at helping organizations improve their social media presence and engagement.

1. Social Media
Tips & Tricks
Presented by Tyler Thomas, Social Media Specialist
@TylerAThomas |@UNLincoln
tthomas10@unl.edu
Presented at the UNL
Content Convergence Conference - January 23, 2013

2. Tip #1:
Create a
Content Committee
 Establish a content committee of various faculty, staff
and student members. They are the eyes and ears
from across your unit.
 This team will help brainstorm ideas for what’s going
on in your college, department, etc.
 This team helps to establish content governance and
divide the work.
 Regularly schedule content committee meetings to
figure out what’s going on and capture all of your
ideas.
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3. Tip #2:
Set Your
Social Media Strategy
 This is a great first team building exercise for your
newly formed Content Committee.
 Utilize the Social Media10-step template. (download
here)
 Set your goals and objectives for your social media
strategy.
 Identify your audience and plan out specific content
topics and themes.
 Identify the correct social media channels.
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4. Tip #3:
Branding Your Channels
 Use approved logos and UNL identifiers and be
consistent with imagery across all channels.
 Fully complete your channel profile to give off a
professional image.
 Be consistent in naming your channels.
 @UNLincoln on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
 Make it easy for your audience to find and identify you.
 Use UNL as a Prefix
 This provides authenticity to users and fans
 Example: @UNLArts, @UNLAdmissions
 Cross platforms pushes (Instagram > Twitter) works on both
platforms.
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5. Tip #4:
Create Engaging Content
 Create a simple content calendar of how you want to
tackle promoting your content. example.
 Organize your content by social media channel
 Vary your content delivery to keep your community engaged.
Some ideas include:
 Videos (example)
 Photos
 Infographics
 Links
 New Webpages
 Creative Copy
 Be Consistent!
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6. Tip #5:
Engage With Your Community
 Actively monitor your social media channels to
engage with your community.
 Ask questions
 Post consistently
 Like and comment on posts on Facebook
 Favorite and Re-Tweet on Twitter
 Follow #Hashtags that make sense
 Example: #UNL, #LNK, #LAW, #DANCE etc.
 Like and/or comment on photos on Instagram
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7. Tip #6:
Create Once & Publish
Everywhere (when applicable)
 Promote your content across all your social media
platforms.
 If you have a new pinterest board, share it on Facebook
 If you have a new YouTube video, tweet it out to your
followers
 Share a photo on Instagram and then add it to a board on
Pinterest
 Re-purpose articles from enewsletters, magazines and
blog posts and promote them via social media.
 If magazine articles aren’t online, create webpages and
promote via social media.
 Tweet older/relevant articles.
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8. Tip #7:
Maximize Your Facebook
Presence
 Use photos, links, videos and other rich media in your posts.
 Make sure your Profile Photo fits in the space (180X180 pixels).
 Switch up your Cover Image once a quarter.
 Utilize the Scheduling tool.
 Use the “Highlight” “Reposition” and “Pin to the Top” features.
 Utilize the “Events” feature to promote your events.
 Don’t over use hashtags.
 Utilize URL Shorteners: Bit.Ly, Go.UNL.EDU.
 Monitor for questions and respond regularly.
 example
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9. Tip #8:
Tweet With the Best of Them
 Complete your profile with a photo, description, background,
cover photo, website URL and any relevant hashtags. example
 Utilize #hashtags but double check they work.
 Create hashtags for your events, colleges and departments
and then broadcast them (be sure to check them before you
create a new one.)
 Participate in tweetchats for majors, disciplines, etc.
 Create and broadcast “lists.”
 Don’t auto-post from Facebook to Twitter or vice versa.
 Actively engage with your audience.
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10. Tip #9:
Utilize YouTube
 Create a playlist under the UNL umbrella.
 Make sure your videos have the correct meta data
included (video titles and complete descriptions).
 Provide a Call to Action (CTA) URL for successful
SEO/Link Building.
 Utilize custom bumpers on each of your videos.
 Share your videos on your website or other web
properties.
 Uncheck the “recommended videos” option before
sharing.
 Example
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11. Tip #10:
Show Off on Instagram
 Establish an account with the same handle as your
twitter account.
 Complete your profile with a photo, description and
website address.
 Utilize hashtags.
 Promote your content by reposting on other social
channels.
 Engage with your community.
 example
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12. Tip #11:
Promote Your
Social Channels
 Make it easy for your users to find you
 Add “Connect with Us” calls to action to:
 Email Signatures
 Business Cards
 Syllabi
 Speaking Schedules & Presentations
 Printed Materials
 Marketing Materials
 Posters and Signage
 Website(s)
 Submit your channels to the Social Media Directory
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13. Tip #12:
Use Third Party Tools
 Hootsuite {Twitter} (Web, iOS, Android)
 Tweet Deck {Twitter} (Web Based)
 TweetChat {Twitter} (Web Based)
 Facebook Insights {Facebook} (Web Based)
 PicMonkey {Photo Manipulation} (Web Based)
 PicFrame {Photo Manipulation} (Mobile App)
 iWatermark {Photo Manipulation} (Mobile App)
 Statigram {Instagram} (Web Based)
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Connect With Us: @UNLincoln