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Social Media Guidelines

IECC Social Media Guidelines

Social media is a powerful tool for engaging with students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the broader community. It allows us to share stories, celebrate achievements, and create meaningful connections that reflect the mission and values of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges. A strong and consistent social media presence helps strengthen our brand, attract new students, and keep our community informed.

Note: The Office of Marketing and Communications (MarCom) oversees IECC's official social media presence, providing guidance and best practices to ensure our content is engaging, accurate, and aligned with our brand. MarCom manages the official social media platforms for each campus. The Social Media Users Group, a Teams group managed by Marketing, connects those responsible for other college-related social media accounts to share resources, updates, and support.

Social Media Overview

IECC's social media should showcase the best of our colleges while maintaining professionalism and credibility. Our presence across platforms helps us connect with different audiences, share timely updates, and engage with our community in meaningful ways.

Student Engagement

Social media allows us to meet students where they are, providing timely updates, answering questions, and fostering a sense of belonging and community.

Brand Awareness

Consistent and engaging content across platforms reinforces our brand identity and increases visibility among prospective students and stakeholders.

Community Connection

Social platforms create opportunities to highlight community partnerships, showcase alumni success, and demonstrate our impact in the region.

Crisis Communication

When urgent information needs to be shared, social media provides immediate channels to reach our community with important updates and resources.

The management of IECC's social media presence is a collaborative effort, with MarCom providing oversight and guidance to ensure consistency and quality across all platforms.

Official Accounts

The Office of Marketing and Communications maintains the primary social media accounts for IECC and its colleges, ensuring brand consistency and strategic messaging.

Department Accounts

Academic departments, programs, or campus organizations may maintain additional accounts with approval from MarCom to highlight specific areas or initiatives.

Account Creation

New social media accounts representing IECC or its colleges must be approved by MarCom before creation to ensure strategic alignment and prevent fragmentation.

Support & Resources

The Social Media Users Group provides ongoing support, training, and resources to help social media administrators effectively manage their accounts.

Platform Guidelines

Each social media platform has unique characteristics, audiences, and best practices. Understanding these differences helps us tailor content appropriately while maintaining a consistent brand voice across channels.

f
Facebook

Primary Audience: Alumni, community members, parents, and adult students

Content Focus:

  • Campus events and announcements
  • Student and alumni success stories
  • Community partnerships and engagement
  • Longer-form content and photo albums

Posting Frequency: 3-5 times per week

in
Instagram

Primary Audience: Current and prospective students, younger alumni

Content Focus:

  • Visually compelling campus photos
  • Student life and activities
  • Behind-the-scenes content
  • Short videos and Stories highlighting campus culture

Posting Frequency: 2-4 times per week, plus Stories as appropriate

X
X (Twitter)

Primary Audience: Current students, faculty, staff, community stakeholders

Content Focus:

  • Timely campus updates and announcements
  • Event coverage and live updates
  • Brief highlights and news
  • Engagement with campus community

Posting Frequency: 3-7 times per week

in
LinkedIn

Primary Audience: Alumni, business partners, professionals, adult learners

Content Focus:

  • Professional development opportunities
  • Career success stories and job placement
  • Industry partnerships and workforce training
  • Institutional achievements and milestones

Posting Frequency: 2-3 times per week

Emerging Platforms: As social media evolves, new platforms may become relevant to our audience. Before establishing a presence on emerging platforms, contact MarCom to discuss strategy, audience, and resource requirements.

Content Strategy

Effective social media requires thoughtful planning and a strategic approach to content. By focusing on these key content types, we can create an engaging and balanced social media presence that achieves our communication goals.

Student Spotlights

Highlight success stories, achievements, and personal journeys of current students and recent graduates.

Campus Life

Share photos and videos of activities, events, and day-to-day campus experiences that showcase student engagement.

Academic Excellence

Feature innovative programs, faculty achievements, and hands-on learning opportunities that demonstrate educational quality.

Events & Announcements

Promote upcoming events, deadlines, and important announcements to keep our community informed and engaged.

Behind-the-Scenes

Offer glimpses into the workings of the college, from facility improvements to preparation for special events.

Community Partnerships

Showcase collaborations with local businesses, organizations, and community initiatives that extend our impact.

Strategic planning ensures a consistent flow of high-quality content while allowing flexibility for timely updates and engagement.

Content Calendar

Develop a monthly content calendar that includes recurring features, planned events, and key deadlines while leaving room for timely additions.

Content Scheduling

Use scheduling tools to plan posts in advance, ensuring regular activity even during busy periods or holidays.

Content Collection

Establish a process for gathering content from across campus, including a system for submissions from departments and organizations.

Evergreen Content

Develop timeless content that can be shared throughout the year, such as campus beauty shots, study tips, or historical facts.

Student success post example
Student Success Story

Post Type: Student Spotlight

Sample Caption: "From classroom to career! Congratulations to Nursing program graduate Sarah Johnson, who recently accepted a position at Regional Hospital. Sarah's hard work in our skills lab and clinical rotations prepared her for this exciting next step. #IECCSuccess #NursingExcellence"

Elements: Photo of student in professional setting, personal achievement, program connection, relevant hashtags

Event promotion example
Event Promotion

Post Type: Announcement

Sample Caption: "📣 Calling all future students! Join us for our Spring Open House on April 15 from 1-4pm at the Student Center. Meet faculty, tour campus, and learn about financial aid opportunities. Registration link in bio. #FutureFalcons #OpenHouse"

Elements: Eye-catching graphic, clear date/time/location, call to action, registration information

Best Practices

Effective social media management requires attention to detail, consistent quality, and strategic engagement. Following these best practices will help ensure IECC's social media presence reflects our brand standards while fostering meaningful connections with our audience.

DO: Be Authentic and Engaging

Social media is about building relationships. Share real student experiences, behind-the-scenes moments, and stories that connect with your audience in a genuine way.

Lincoln Trail College
Students collaborating in science lab
Nothing beats hands-on learning! Our biology students discovered how to isolate and identify DNA samples during today's lab. Professor Martinez made sure everyone had a chance to try the techniques themselves. #HandsOnLearning #ScienceMatters
42 Likes 5 Comments 8 Shares

DO: Use High-Quality Visuals

Posts with clear, engaging images or videos perform better and capture attention. Ensure photos are well-lit, properly framed, and showcase the subject effectively.

DO: Respond to Comments and Messages

Timely interaction shows responsiveness and builds trust within the community. Aim to respond to comments and direct messages within 24 hours during the business week.

DON'T: Post Without Proofreading

Errors in spelling, grammar, or facts can damage credibility. Always check content for accuracy before posting, and verify all details such as dates, times, and locations.

Frontier Community College
❌ Join us for our Spring concert on Tuesday, May 15 at 7:00 pm in the auditorium.

✅ Join us for our Spring concert on Thursday, May 17 at 7:00pm in the auditorium. Don't miss this incredible showcase of student talent!
12 Likes 3 Comments 0 Shares

DON'T: Share Confidential Information

Never post private student information or content that violates FERPA regulations. Ensure all individuals in photos have given appropriate permission.

DON'T: Engage in Negative Discussions

Maintain a positive, constructive tone even when responding to criticism. Take controversial or sensitive discussions to private channels when appropriate.

The way we write for social media should reflect our brand voice while adapting to the casual, conversational nature of social platforms.

Be Concise

Keep posts brief and focused, particularly on platforms with character limits. Get to the point quickly and use short paragraphs for readability.

Use an Active Voice

Write in an active voice to create more engaging, direct content. For example, "Students showcased their projects" instead of "Projects were showcased by students."

Include Calls to Action

Encourage engagement by including clear calls to action, such as "Register now," "Learn more," or "Share your experience in the comments."

Use Hashtags Strategically

Include relevant hashtags to increase discoverability, but avoid overuse. Develop and consistently use branded hashtags for campaigns and recurring content.

Social Media Image Size Guide

Using the correct image sizes for each social media platform ensures your content displays properly and makes a professional impression. This guide provides current specifications for the most common image types across platforms.

Important: Social media platforms occasionally update their image size requirements. For the most current specifications, consult the platform's official guidelines or contact MarCom for assistance.

Image Type Dimensions (px) Aspect Ratio Notes
Profile Picture 170 x 170 1:1 Displays at 170x170 on computers, 128x128 on smartphones
Cover Photo 820 x 312 2.63:1 Minimum 400 pixels wide, loads fastest at 851x315
Shared Image 1200 x 630 1.91:1 Appears in feed at 470px wide
Event Cover 1200 x 628 1.91:1 Shows in feed and on event page
Image Type Dimensions (px) Aspect Ratio Notes
Profile Picture 320 x 320 1:1 Displays at 110px on mobile
Feed Post 1080 x 1080 1:1 (Square) Can also use 1080x1350 (4:5 portrait) or 1080x566 (1.91:1 landscape)
Instagram Stories 1080 x 1920 9:16 Full-screen vertical format
IGTV Cover 420 x 654 1:1.55 Ensure key elements are centered
Image Type Dimensions (px) Aspect Ratio Notes
Profile Picture 400 x 400 1:1 Displays as circle, so center important elements
Header Image 1500 x 500 3:1 Maximum file size 2MB
In-stream Image 1200 x 675 16:9 Minimum width 600px
Image Type Dimensions (px) Aspect Ratio Notes
Profile Picture 400 x 400 1:1 Minimum 200x200, displays as circle
Cover Image 1584 x 396 4:1 Minimum width 1192px
Shared Image 1200 x 627 1.91:1 Displays in feed and on page
Company Page Banner 1128 x 191 5.9:1 Scales to fit

Tips for Social Media Images

  • Use High-Resolution Images: Start with high-quality images to ensure clarity across all devices.
  • Consider Safe Zones: Keep important elements centered and away from edges to prevent cropping.
  • Maintain Consistency: Use similar visual styles, filters, or elements across your posts to strengthen brand recognition.
  • Test on Mobile: Most social media users view content on mobile devices, so always check how images appear on smaller screens.
  • Optimize File Size: Compress images appropriately to ensure fast loading times without sacrificing quality.

Social Media Planning and Maintenance

Creating and managing a social media account takes strategy, consistency, and ongoing maintenance. To help ensure success, consider these key areas when planning or managing an IECC-affiliated account.

Before launching a new social media presence, define its purpose. Ask:

  • What is the primary goal of this account? (e.g., recruitment, student engagement, event promotion)
  • Who is the primary and secondary audience?
  • What type of content will best reach and engage this audience?

Successful accounts require a steady stream of engaging content. Develop a plan that includes:

  • Content Types: Mix photos, videos, event promotions, student spotlights, and interactive posts.
  • Scheduling: Plan posts at least a month in advance with a mix of evergreen and timely content.
  • Collaboration: Work with other departments and MarCom to gather compelling content.
  • Flexibility: Be prepared to adjust based on engagement trends and audience needs.

Regularly assessing an account's impact helps improve content strategy. Track:

  • Engagement rates (likes, shares, comments)
  • Follower growth over time
  • Most successful content types
  • Community interactions and direct messages

Need Help? The Office of Marketing and Communications is here to support all social media administrators with best practices, troubleshooting, and content guidance. If you have questions or need assistance, reach out to MarCom or connect with the Social Media Users Group for collaboration and advice.

Social Media Responsibilities

Administrators of IECC-affiliated social media accounts must understand their responsibilities in representing the institution online. Following these guidelines ensures our social media presence remains professional, engaging, and aligned with institutional values.

Administrator Responsibilities
  • Adhere to IECC's mission, values, and policies
  • Maintain access to and oversight of accounts through MarCom
  • Ensure accounts remain active and updated
  • Follow privacy laws such as FERPA
  • Moderate comments appropriately
Social Media Do's
  • Keep messaging positive, professional, and student-focused
  • Use clear and engaging images and videos
  • Provide helpful and accurate information
  • Maintain a respectful and inclusive tone
  • Monitor engagement and respond to comments when appropriate
Social Media Don'ts
  • Post confidential or private information
  • Engage in negative discussions or arguments
  • Use copyrighted material without permission
  • Share personal opinions on divisive topics through official accounts
  • Create a new IECC-affiliated social media account without consulting MarCom
Crisis Communication

During a campus crisis or emergency:

  • Refer to the crisis communication plan
  • Only share official information approved by leadership
  • Pause scheduled posts if they may be inappropriate
  • Direct questions to appropriate channels

By following these guidelines, we ensure that IECC's social media presence remains professional, engaging, and aligned with our institutional mission. When in doubt about appropriate content or responses, reach out to the Office of Marketing and Communications for guidance.