Please find some frequently asked questions about the process of creating a social media account for your UC Merced department or organization below.
Can the UC Merced social media channels share our content? Who can I contact?
Do you have content ideas you would like for us to consider? We would love to hear about it! Please use our "Contact Us" form to submit your ideas.
I want to create a social media account for my department. How do I get started?
Establishing and maintaining a social media account on behalf of your department requires a strategy and dedicated staff who have the capacity to create, curate, and schedule content; engage with your audience; and monitor your brand presence. Please ensure you have the resources to plan, execute, and maintain a new social media account. If you have questions, would like to chat for guidance, or have decided that you have the resources necessary to establish a new account, please reach out to our social media team at social@ucmerced.edu.
Which platform should I establish my office/department's social media account on?
This will depend on who your target audience is. What is your goal for creating a social media account? Who are you trying to reach? Determine which form of social media your target audience is already using and focus on building your presence on that platform first. We recommend building out your social media presence on one platform before expanding your presence to other channels.
Where can I get content to post on my channel?
Your brand strategy, influenced by your marketing objectives, will discern the type of content that you share on your channels. If you are interested in sharing university news, a good place to browse is the UC Merced Newsroom. Though this website houses notable university news and updates, not all content may be appropriate for sharing on your department's social media channel depending on your goals. You may access university photos and b-roll video using your UCMNetID at images.ucmerced.edu. If you are interested in a consultation on your content strategy, please reach out to our social media team using the "Contact Us" form.
What kind of support does the university offer for its social media managers?
The Social Media Group at UC Merced brings together staff members who manage UC Merced's social media channels and provides them with support to enhance their development as social media communicators. This group also serves to strengthen UC Merced's reputation and maintain its brand integrity across channels. If you are interested in membership in this group, please connect with us using our "Contact Us" form. Our social media team also offers workshops, brand strategy consultation, and other resources.
How can the UC Merced social media channel help promote our campus club/organization's event?
At UC Merced, our event promotion strategy for campus groups and organizations will focus primarily on Instagram Stories, Facebook, and X providing our audience with timely and immersive content experiences. However, for major milestone events, high-profile collaborations, or significant announcements, we may share event promotions on our Instagram feed which is more curated. These exceptions will be carefully evaluated based on factors like strategic importance, audience relevance, and visual alignment with our brand identity. This approach allows us to maximize engagement, maintain aesthetic integrity, and ensure consistency in our social media communication efforts while aligning with our broader brand objectives.
I have another question. Can someone help me?
If there's something else you're looking for that you don't see, please reach out to social@ucmerced.edu or use the "Contact Us" form.
