Social Media Guidelines

We manage over 100 social media accounts in Extension, and ensuring consistency in branding and messaging is crucial. Adhering to specific rules and guidance is necessary to align all Extension-affiliated accounts with UNL branding guidelines and Extension policies. Social media serves not only to share updates about our work but also to inspire, inform, educate, and impact our audience's knowledge, perspective, and quality of life.

Create your social media plan UNL social media template

General Guidance

Here are some general guidelines referencing specific guides to help you manage your accounts effectively:

  1. Social Media Handles/Names:
    • Ensure consistency in naming across multiple social media channels. If your FB account is Water & Cropping, please use the same name on other channels instead of NebraskaCropping or WaterCropLand so the audience know, remember and find you easier.
    • Following the UNL rules, your account should include "Extension" in the name and "UNL" in the handle, following UNL policy. For example, Name: Extension Cass County and Handle: UNLExtensionCassCounty.
  2. Profile Picture/Avatar:
    • Your account's profile picture/social avatar should represent Extension, either using your program lockup from the lockup factory or another image accurately representing your program/office/unit/project.
  3. Official Social Media Channels:
    • We strongly recommend using official social media channels for Extension programs, county offices, units, and projects.
    • Do not use personal accounts for professional purposes; instead, reinforce our professional efforts using your personal social media influence to share official account content.
  4. Distinction Between Personal and Professional Use:
    • Maintain a clear distinction between personal and professional uses of social media.
    • Clearly state when speaking for yourself on personal sites and not for Extension.
  5. Registering Personal Accounts for Professional Purposes:
    • If you still use your personal account for professional purposes, register your effort with Nebraska Extension to strengthen our UNL presence.
    • Follow all UNL social media policies and guidelines
  6. Interacting with the Audience:
    • Apply best practices in customer service, responding to follower questions and messages promptly.
    • Follow all UNL social media policies and guidelines
  7. Offensive Content Management:
    • According to the Nebraska University System policy, delete irrelevant, disrespectful, harassing, threatening, or inappropriate content from users.
    • Block individuals who do not follow the rules.
  8. Communicating with Youth:
    • Exercise caution when communicating with youth online.
    • Maintain professionalism, focusing on Nebraska Extension program topics.
    • Select account administrators carefully, ensuring at least two adults manage social media networks targeting youth.

    Essential UNL Social Media Resources

    UCOMM Social Media Guidelines
    Social Media Community Guidelines and Privacy Policy
    UNL social media template
    UNL Social Media Directory
    UNL Social Media Consultations
    Shorten URLs

    Essential Extension Social Media Resources

    Extension social media strategy guide/outline
    Extension Social Media Handles List