• Departments, units and organizations should develop a social media plan and consider their messages, audiences and goals, as well as a strategy for keeping information and content on social media sites up-to-date.
• Think twice before posting. Privacy does not exist in the world of social media.Search engines can find posts years after they have been created, and content can be forwarded or copied. If you would normally not say something in a professional setting, consider whether you should post it online.
• Remember your audience and remain aware that a web presence on social media sites can easily be made available to the public at large. This includes prospective students, current students, current employees and colleagues, alumni and peers. Consider this before posting to a social media site to ensure the content will not alienate, harm or provoke negative reactions to any of these groups.
• Ensure that your facts are correct and strive for accuracy when posting on a social media site.
• Acknowledge who you are and if you are representing Missouri State University when posting on a social media site.
• On personal social media sites, identify your views as your own. If you identify yourself as a Missouri State University faculty or staff member online, it should be clear that the views expressed are not necessarily those of the institution.