1. Social Media Style Guide for Social House
Style Guide Purpose
This document is made to set the standards and guidelines to be used across all
social media outlets. It is to provide uniformness and strategic communications
properly throughout social media.
All Active Accounts.
Facebook.com/SocialHouseSFA
Twitter.com/livesocialsfa
Social Media Voice
How do we present ourselves to the public: Outgoing, fun, witty,
engagement, social, concerned and appreciative. We care about each person
who follows us. We will treat them as either a prospective tenant or a valued one.
We want to come off that we care about how they live while attending SFA by
having an approachable stance on social media.
Our Tone: Personal, Direct, Energetic – Since our target audience and
are tenants are college students, we need to post in a college “sense” of voice as
if every post was written by a college student for a college student. Interact with
each person who comments or ask a question. We are honest and convey that
we like to converse.
Ownership of Post
All post on Living Social’s media must be posted through the Tone and Voice
stated above. Your name will be marker to see as an admin but will not be seen
in the public eye. The public will not know who posted what. We are all humans
but if there is an error or a post not published in our Tone/Voice, please own up
to the mistake and edit it or take it down if necessary.
Positivity and Transparency
We represent Social House through social media and we need to stay positive
and transparent with the company/managers.
General Style Guidelines
Tagging
When appropriate, Tag the company, the person, or the organization we
are talking about or to.
Try to use the “tag” within the sentence to make the message seem
engaging.
2. Example.
Come hangout with Social House at the @IFC_Tailgate,
while we prepare for a @SFA_Football win today! #WeRide
#Live Social
(Responding to a tenant) I see you @Jackson hitting up the
pool today! Don’t forget to check out the pool house!
#LiveSocial.
Dates and Times
When posting a time, use am and pm in lowercase letters and no periods
in-between. Exm. 4pm, 6am
o For when we need to do in between times, use a dash. Emp. 4-
6pm.
o For days of the week, write them out Monday, Tuesday, etc.. for
days further than one week, use the date as a reference. For
Facebook, use the whole month January. For Twitter, use the
abbreviation Jan.
Words We Do Not Use
Tenants. – Instead use Residents.
College – Though in some cases it may be appropriate, replace it with
SFA.
Kids – Students who attend SFA are not college “kids”, they are adults
and we will refer to them as such.
Notes on Punctuation
Style and punctuation of normal American language and grammar should
be followed in all posts. Correct use of commas, periods, exclamation
points, colons and semi-colons is required.
When posting a link, insert some sort of punctuation signaling that the like
is to follow. (i.e. ?, !, ., or :)
o “Here at Social House we are excited to be unveiling our new
website! Check it out here: http://bit.ly/1OgmIz1”
Be mindful of over using exclamation points. Signaling excitement is okay
and warranted given our publics, but overuse can be abrasive. Stick to
using single exclamation points (!) with the exception of rare occasions.
When posting as the Social House social media accounts be sure to refer
to the organization as “We” rather than in the third person
o BBQ cook out by the pool today! Come see us. We have some
yummy food for you. Thanks for #livingsocial!
3. Note on Slang and Abbreviations
Abbreviations and slang is permitted in certain circumstances given the
publics that the Social House caters to. (i.e. OMG, LOL, etc.) So long as
said slang/abbreviation is appropriate. (Not vulgar)
When posting a link through any platform, always shorten the link using:
https://bitly.com
o Example: https://www.facebook.com/lily.pinter to
http://on.fb.me/1LryLZI
Twitter
Shorten all links posted
Avoid using more than 2 mentions in one tweet
Respond to all inquiries the day of assuming they are posted before close
that business day
Retweet and QT residents along with things residents would like to see.
(i.e. cool buzzfeed posts, college hacks, how to save, etc.)
Promote the Social House hashtags (#) as much as possible
Make sure all mentions and tags are of active accounts
Facebook
Shorten all links used and make sure there is a preview of the link with the
post when relevant
When posting a picture with tags be sure that they are also mentioned in
the text for easy click through access if someone wants to visit the page
Make sure all mentions and tags are of active accounts
Although characters are not limited keep posts to a maximum of 2-3
sentences
Instagram
ALL photos posted should be made to fit the instagram sizing limits
Link account to Facebook and Twitter so pictures go out to all platforms
when posted
4. Although characters are not limited keep posts to a maximum of 2-3
sentences
Cadence
Facebook
2-4 times daily
Twitter
at least 8 to 11 tweets daily
Instagram
3 to 4 posts weekly
Imagery
Profile pictures/avatars and background images should be uniform if the
format of each social media channel allows.
this will reinforce “social house” as a brand
Instagram
photos posted should be edited.
filters used should be those of Instagram or 3rd party apps.
the goal is to create stunning photos that portray the facility, staff, and/or
flyers in the most positive light without making them seem fake.
do not alter the photos’ natural look, simply enhance its beauty.
Engagement Style
*Facebook
Your Friendly Neighborhood Sales Rep”
listen to all customers and potential customers
make them feel their voices are heard
direct any negative comments or concerns to administration
Like comments posted by fans of the page
comment back to those commenting on posts
*Twitter
“Bee Hive “and “The Friend”
Convey that we are all working toward a common goal (their happiness
and knowledge with social house)
Make interaction with followers personal
Favorite and retweet those twitting in regard to Social House or content
posted by Social House.
Follow back user that follow our page
daily shoutouts to followers
*Instagram
5. "Your friendly Neighborhood Sales Rep"
o makes posts informative for followers
o follow back users that follow social house
o Like photos and follow those using Social House Hashtag
Regularly Used Hashtags
Facebook
#LiveSocial
#SocialHouse
#SFA15, SFA16, SFA17, Ect
#TBT (Past Events SH has done, and refer to new upcoming event.)
Twitter
#LiveSocial
#SocialHouse
SFA15, SFA16, SFA17, ect
Instagram
LiveSocial
#SocialHouse
TBT