Tips
UniSA guidelines
Before you start using social media or other channels to promote your research have a look at the below guidelines.
- UniSA Social Media Reference Guide
This guide aims to inform staff members of the types of social media used by the University and expected standards of use and the consequences of inappropriate use. - Yurirka: Proppa - Engagement with Aboriginal Peoples
A UniSA guide prepared to help individuals engage respectively with Aboriginal Peoples. - Digital Communications (CMK)
This team manages the University’s official social media channels: including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
If you are thinking about creating a group page for your Institute, Unit or Research centre please check with the Digital Communications team first at social.media@unisa.edu.au.
If you are looking to build your research profile, please see:
General IT policies
Key considerations
When getting started think about:
Platform selection
Carefully choose the platform(s) that aligns with your expertise and goals. Focus on just one if you don’t have a lot of experience or time.
Not sure where to start? Use our Cheat Sheet below to help you find the Social Media platform that works for you. (Click on text for larger view)
Profile enhancement
Develop a comprehensive profile by adding a suitable handle/name, display picture, and a bio. Also link to your ORCiD profile, your website, or your YouTube channel if you have one.
Active engagement and building connections
Stay consistently active on social media and engage in ways that suit your preferences and style. You can do this by:
- Connecting with colleagues, industry leaders, and specialised media to expand your network.
- Follow or Like key figures, publishers and organisations in your field to see popular or trending topics and weigh in on points of discussion.
Research promotion
Highlight the social impact and benefits of your research to the wider community using plain English that everyone can understand. Also, share new content that you create on one platform across any other platforms you are using.
Create impact with images
Images and other visual elements like videos and GIFs are a great way to instantly make your posts more visible and engaging to others. Use your own photos or source an image online.
- Consider how images and media will look on a mobile device. Too much detail or small text can be troublesome on mobile devices.
- Choose the right image shape and size for your platform. For example: Use landscape images for Twitter to avoid your images being cropped. See HootSuite's sizing guide for social media platforms.
- Accessibility is important. Add alt text or image descriptions to improve accessibility and visibility on screen readers. Visit your Social Media platform's help centre for more information.
Use the following guide for help finding images and media that don't breach copyright rules.
Useful links
- Learning personal branding: Your personal brand on social mediaLearn the essentials of personal branding, develop your story, craft your messaging, and define your audience.
- 365 social media content and engagement promptsLearn how to help academics build a regular and reliable presence of social media, develop a network and community, and disseminate their work or research.
- Maintaining a social media presenceLearn how to maintain your social media presence on top of an already busy workload by aligning your social media activities with your career and research values.
- Optimize your social media profilesLearn how to use social media to build a community of followers who grow to know, like, trust, and advocate your brand.
Advice
Video length: 3 mins 53 secs
Maintain your reputation
How you conduct yourself on social media can have a big impact on your professional reputation both positively and negatively.
Follow these tips for maintaining a professional online presence:
- First impressions: Your first contact with someone may be through your online presence, consider the impression you are making with your posts.
- Separate accounts: Keep your professional and personal social media accounts separate. Most platforms make it easy to switch between multiple accounts. Remember that if you are using a professional account, you must adhere to UniSA's Social Media policies and guidelines.
- User names: Select simple, clear and professional user names, this will also make it easy for people to locate you.
- Check twice, post one: Checking for errors before making a post can avoid unnecessary confusion or embarrassment.
- Privacy & safety: Overly restrictive privacy settings can make it difficult to view and share your content. However, always practice good cyber security and never put sensitive information on your profiles.
- Don't feed the trolls: Try to avoid getting in to arguments or disagreements online. Always keep your responses polite and civil. Don't waste time responding or engaging with trolls.
Assess social media accounts and posts
Scholarly authorship rules do not apply on social media. Anyone can create and share content, making it easy to spread false information. Content varies from facts to opinions, including misleading information. The intentions behind social media content can range from informing and educating to deceiving. Sharing fake news on a social media platform could have a negative impact on your credibility. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the content and ensure its reliability.
Useful links
- Securing Mobile Social NetworksThe risks associated with mobile networks and social media and how to remain safe in an increasingly unsafe world.
- Controlling the trolls and other online misadventuresLearn how to review the information on social media and strategies to cope with unsettling comments.
- Savvy info consumers: social media : University of Washington LibraryLearn how to ascertain the accuracy of social media posts and websites.