10 Required Elements

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10 Required Elements for Your Social Media Account

Handle or URL
  • Do not create a duplicate listing.
  • Search the platform in which you are interested and evaluate those results.
    • This should help guide you to choose an appropriate naming convention.
  • The name should be clearly linked to your particular department or unit rather than to the institution as a whole.
Category

Choose higher education, college/university or institution, based on those offered by the respective platform.

Disclaimer

Post the following disclaimer in the about section:

 
"Note: The views and opinions posted by visitors to this website do not reflect the view or opinions of Kent State University.

Comments posted to social media accounts may be monitored and we reserve the right to review comments that are deemed to be profanity or spam, or are found to be in violation of a law or court order.

Trolling or threats toward others may result in being removed or blocked from participating in this social media space."
Graphics
  • Adhere to Kent State’s Guide to Visual Standards.
  • The profile image should be clearly linked to your particular department rather than the institution as a whole.
    • Consider use of an image used in your marketing materials.
  • If you need assistance or ideas, contact us.
Biographical or Extended Information
  • Make it clear in the appropriate location, based on the platform, that the respective social media account is the “official [your department]” social media account.
  • In addition to information about your department, include a link to the institutional website and the social media directory.
    • Text could read: "For more information about Kent State University, visit www.kent.edu; for a full listing of Kent State social media accounts, visit http://social.kent.edu."
Identify Administrators
  • Include at least one employee within your department.
  • The appropriate University Communications and Marketing account should be an administrator.
    • See subsequent sections of this documentation for correct account information, based on platform.
Accessibility Compliance for Social Media

Checklist for Social Media Accessibility & Compliance

If you’re sharing...

IMAGES & GRAPHICS:

  • Add alt text for every image with concise, descriptive language. 

  • Include image descriptions in captions if alt text is unavailable (ex: Instagram Stories)

If you’re sharing...

VIDEO CONTENT: 

  • Provide accurate, synchronized captions for all spoken content. 

  • Offer full transcripts when possible. 

  • Add audio descriptions for important visual elements. 

  • Avoid flashing or strobing effects.

When you’re adding...

TEXT & COPY:

  • Use clear, plain language. 

  • Avoid ALL CAPS for long sentences. 

  • Use CamelCase for hashtags (e.g., #KentState; #GoFlashes). 

  • Use emojis sparingly and place at the end of sentences. 

  • If posting about an event, include 5w’s (who, what, when, where & why)

If you’re scheduling or posting... 

LINKS & TAGS:

  • Use descriptive link text instead of “Click Here” (ex: “Find Financial Aid Updates”; “Read the latest Kent State Today stories”)

  • Place account tags at the end of posts where possible. 

  • Avoid link shorteners that obscure the destination URL

If you’re designing, remember: 

COLOR, CONTRAST AND DESIGN

  • Maintain a minimum of 4:5:1 contrast ratio for normal text; 3:1 for large text

  • Avoid using color alone to convey meaning

  • Ensure text over images have sufficient contrast or overlay.

GIFs, MEMES AND MOTION

  • Include alt text or descriptions for GIFs and memes

  • Avoid flashing or looping content that could cause discomfort or

  • Keep motion brief (under 5 seconds)

Department of Information Technology 

RESOURCES: 

Develop Content Plan
  • Include frequency of posts.
  • Outline type of content to be posted.
Determine Key Performance Indicators

Consider whether to monitor followers, fans, visits to your social media space, tone of posts, response of and interactivity among members of your community.


 

Contact University Communications and Marketing to:
  • Request account review and addition to social media directory.
  • Provide the name and title of the identified social media account administrator from your department.
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