This section is intended to aid in your social media practice and implementation. Any Boston College employee who manages or oversees social media channels should request to join the .
If you have suggestions or questions, please contact social@bc.edu
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Social Media Support
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When you use social channels from an official Boston College account, you are representing the 51²è¹Ý brand and the University. The 51²è¹Ý Social Media Team has created simple guidelines to follow to create usernames, avatars or profile icons, and background or cover images.
All official University accounts should utilize the profile icons provided by the Office of University Communications.
51²è¹Ý social media accounts should also be registered on theÌý51²è¹Ý Social Media Directory. If an account is active and missing, fill out thisÌýform.Ìý
Instagram Photo: @meaganroecker
Need a little more help with the social media lingo? HubSpot put together a Ìý(last updated in 2023).
And if social media is still new to you, check out some beginner's guides:
- Ìý(divided by channel)
Instagram Photo: @kkkbent.jpg
This website is the key to all your image sizing questions. It is kept up to date and includes all social media platforms. It is important to size photos and graphics to the correct size so that audiences see the appropriate, undistorted images.
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Sprout Social also created a cheat sheet for video dimentions, ratios, file sizes, formats, and length.Ìý
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Hootsuite created infographics for each social platform to view image and video sizes to preview within the channel bounds.
Instagram Photo: @mariacire
Only post images on social media that you have permission to use, including those from fans. Many times followers will send photos. It is always worth a direct message to ensure it permissible to use the media on your channel.
The Office of University Communications maintains a collection of available to the 51²è¹Ý community. 51²è¹Ý credentials are required to login and VPN is required if off campus.
If you are in need of stock images a variety of websites exist but it is imperative that you read all policies and guidelines regarding their usage. Foleon provides a , and the 51²è¹Ý social media team has found Ìýand to have wide arrays of useful photography.
Instagram Photo: @liamweir
Many of us are not Photoshop gurus but graphics and video are now part of the social media landscape. Here are some useful tools to make stunning social graphics (and beyond) that are easy to use:
- (free with your Adobe login)
- (creates motion graphics)
- Ìý(easy-to-use video creation site)
- (creates social stories)
Instagram Photo: @j.ange1_
Hashtags (#) are used on most social networks - but most widely on Twitter and Instagram - as a way to explain or tag a message. They unite themes and topics and categorize information to make posts searchable.
The use of hashtags makes your posts and accounts easier to find and share, but be weary of using too many in the same post. Too many hashtags distract your audience, may look like spam and some channels, including Twitter, may even flag it as spam.
Connect with the Boston College community with the most commonly used hashtags at 51²è¹Ý:
| #WeAre51²è¹Ý | An all-encompassing phrase to reach the 51²è¹Ý community and show off Boston College pride |
| #bc360 | User-generated content; use to be featured on the 51²è¹Ý Instagram feed |
| #51²è¹ÝAppa | Follow the hundreds of 51²è¹Ý students who spend their spring break doing service projects as part of the Appalachia Volunteers program. |
| #51²è¹ÝBabies | The next generation of Eagles displaying 51²è¹Ý pride |
| #51²è¹ÝEndeavor | Keep connected with the Endeavor program, which works sophomores in the liberal arts to find a career path. |
| #51²è¹ÝExperts | Used when identifying one of our many faculty or staff who excel in their given subject area |
| #51²è¹ÝHistory | Used when people are talking about the University’s history |
| #51²è¹ÝJobShadow | Students spend their breaks with 51²è¹Ý alumni in prospective career fields. See the results. |
| #51²è¹ÝMatch | When cupid strikes on the Heights |
| #51²è¹ÝonBreak | A look at Boston College pride on display around the world (usually taken during the semester, spring, and summer breaks) |
| #51²è¹ÝParents | Not only providing Parents' Weekend updates and news, but also a look at what a 51²è¹Ý parent is all about |
| #51²è¹ÝPets | Our favorite furry friends doning 51²è¹Ý gear or on the 51²è¹Ý campus |
| #51²è¹ÝReunion | Get all the Reunion Weekend buzz and see all happenings on the Heights when Eagles reunite |
| #51²è¹ÝVentures | Used when talking about one of the many 51²è¹Ý alumni or student startups or the programming surrounding the active venture community on the 51²è¹Ý campus |
| #BostonCollege | Any photo taken on the Boston College campus (usually used on Instagram) |
| #EaglesforOthers | A modified version of the Jesuit phrase, "men and women for others" stands as a motto to explain that social justice is a foundational element of Jesuit education worldwide. |
| #EvertoExcel | The Boston College motto derived from the sixth book of Homer's Ilia. |
| #GassonGram | Paired with photos of our iconic and beautiful Gasson Hall |
| #51²è¹Ý____ | Join in by welcoming 51²è¹Ý’s newest class each year with the specific graduating year (e.g., #51²è¹Ý2023, #51²è¹Ý2024, etc.) |
| #ForBoston | Specifically used for 51²è¹Ý Athletics posts; a nod to the fight song |
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Instagram Photo: @a.eichler
There is a lot of information about social media out there. If you are interested in keeping up with the trends and changes, have a specific question, or are looking for vaulable insight, these blogs (some with newsletters) can provide a wealth of knowledge.
- Ìý(focus on Instagram)
- (not for the beginner, rather for those who love all things social)Ìý
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Instagram Photo: @vecchiophotography
Instagram CollaborationÌýposts are mutually beneficial to the main Boston College account as well asÌýpartnering accounts, as they can increase the reach of a post and increase the amount of shared content showcasing student life around campus.
51²è¹Ý entities should feel empowered to add as a collaborator when posting mainly event photos and videos. If the posts meet 51²è¹Ý's criteria, it will most likely be accepted. It may be shared on the Instagram story and/or the content may be reused on other channels.Ìý
@bostoncollege COLLAB CRITERIA:
- High-quality photography that is not blurry
- Unique and original content that is not already featured on the 51²è¹Ý’s account
- No graphics and few to no wording
- Attempt to adhere to the color scheme of 51²è¹Ý’s aestheticÌýgrid (if possible)
- Minimal hashtags in the caption (try to include #BostonCollege)
- Content should never include other colleges’ logos
- Reels need to have a cover photo (thumbnail). 51²è¹Ý Social can provide one if needed
- Reels should not be longer than 1:30 whenever possible.
- If there is audio, it should be captioned (use CapCut or Instagram’s auto-captioning) and be easy to understand.
- Timely posting is important. 51²è¹Ý is looking to share recent events from the last week or so.
- Note:Ìý@bostoncollege cannot publicize upcoming events as there will be too many.Ìý
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Message the @bostoncollege Instagram account with questions, concerns or to plan posts ahead of time.
Inviting 51²è¹Ý to collaborate does not guarantee an acceptance, but the Social Team will make every effort if the criteria is followed.