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 join the .Ìý

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 »Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍø brand and the University. The »Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍø 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.

»Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍø social media accounts should also be registered on theÌý»Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍø Social Media Directory. If an account is active and missing, fill out thisÌýform.Ìý

Branding Starter Kit

Instagram Photo

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

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

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 »Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍø community. »Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍø 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 »Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍø social media team has found Ìýand to have wide arrays of useful photography.

Instagram Photo

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

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 »Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍø:

#WeAre»Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍøAn all-encompassing phrase to reach the »Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍø community and show off Boston College pride
#bc360User-generated content; use to be featured on the »Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍø Instagram feed
#»Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍøAppaFollow the hundreds of »Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍø students who spend their spring break doing service projects as part of the Appalachia Volunteers program.
#»Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍøBabiesThe next generation of Eagles displaying »Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍø pride
#»Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍøEndeavorKeep connected with the Endeavor program, which works sophomores in the liberal arts to find a career path.
#»Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍøExpertsUsed when identifying one of our many faculty or staff who excel in their given subject area
#»Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍøHistoryUsed when people are talking about the University’s history
#»Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍøJobShadowStudents spend their breaks with »Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍø alumni in prospective career fields. See the results.
#»Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍøMatchWhen cupid strikes on the Heights
#»Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍøonBreakA look at Boston College pride on display around the world (usually taken during the semester, spring, and summer breaks)
#»Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍøParentsNot only providing Parents' Weekend updates and news, but also a look at what a »Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍø parent is all about
#»Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍøPetsOur favorite furry friends doning »Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍø gear or on the »Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍø campus
#»Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍøReunionGet all the Reunion Weekend buzz and see all happenings on the Heights when Eagles reunite
#»Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍøVenturesUsed when talking about one of the many »Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍø alumni or student startups or the programming surrounding the active venture community on the »Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍø campus
#BostonCollegeAny photo taken on the Boston College campus (usually used on Instagram)
#EaglesforOthersA 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.
#EvertoExcelThe Boston College motto derived from the sixth book of Homer's Ilia.
#GassonGramPaired with photos of our iconic and beautiful Gasson Hall
#»Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍø____Join in by welcoming »Ê¹Ú¹Ù꿉۪s newest class each year with the specific graduating year (e.g., #»Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍø2023, #»Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍø2024, etc.)
#ForBostonSpecifically used for »Ê¹Ú¹ÙÍø Athletics posts; a nod to the fight song

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Instagram Photo

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

Instagram Photo: @vecchiophotography