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 ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app brand and the University. The ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app 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.

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app social media accounts should also be registered on theÌýÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app 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 ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app community. ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app 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 ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app 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 ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app:

#WeAreÌìÃÀ´«Ã½appAn all-encompassing phrase to reach the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app community and show off Boston College pride
#bc360User-generated content; use to be featured on the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app Instagram feed
#ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½appAppaFollow the hundreds of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app students who spend their spring break doing service projects as part of the Appalachia Volunteers program.
#ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½appBabiesThe next generation of Eagles displaying ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app pride
#ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½appEndeavorKeep connected with the Endeavor program, which works sophomores in the liberal arts to find a career path.
#ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½appExpertsUsed when identifying one of our many faculty or staff who excel in their given subject area
#ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½appHistoryUsed when people are talking about the University’s history
#ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½appJobShadowStudents spend their breaks with ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app alumni in prospective career fields. See the results.
#ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½appMatchWhen cupid strikes on the Heights
#ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½apponBreakA look at Boston College pride on display around the world (usually taken during the semester, spring, and summer breaks)
#ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½appParentsNot only providing Parents' Weekend updates and news, but also a look at what a ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app parent is all about
#ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½appPetsOur favorite furry friends doning ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app gear or on the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app campus
#ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½appReunionGet all the Reunion Weekend buzz and see all happenings on the Heights when Eagles reunite
#ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½appVenturesUsed when talking about one of the many ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app alumni or student startups or the programming surrounding the active venture community on the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app 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
#ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app____Join in by welcoming ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app’s newest class each year with the specific graduating year (e.g., #ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app2023, #ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app2024, etc.)
#ForBostonSpecifically used for ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app 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

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.

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app entities should feel empowered to add as a collaborator when posting mainly event photos and videos. If the posts meet ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app'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 ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app’s account
  • No graphics and few to no wording
  • Attempt to adhere to the color scheme of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app’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). ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app 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. ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app 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 ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app to collaborate does not guarantee an acceptance, but the Social Team will make every effort if the criteria is followed.

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