Faculty Social Media and Digital Communication
This page offers tips and guidelines on how to best utilize social media and writing for public-focused publications to elevate the reach of your research and industry expertise.
Social Media
Do you have a social media account? Leverage it to promote your research!
Bio
- Include both personal and professional details in the short summary of yourself. • Mention your affiliation with @CalPolyCLA.
- Provide your location. Include it in “Town, CA” format.
- Include a link to your CLA faculty page or your personal website address if applicable.
Profile Pictures
- If you would like a new professional headshot for your profile picture, contact claphotographer@calpoly.edu.
Engagement
Balance Personal with Professional
Be authentic. Balance posts of university affiliation with personal conversation. If you feel more comfortable keeping the two separated, feel free to create a stand-alone professional page, although this is not required.
Audience Interaction
Social media is intended to be a two-way communication platform. People visit social media sites to interact with other people. Engage with your followers by monitoring and posting comments, sharing/retweeting/liking other posts, and asking questions. This will make your page more personal and credible.
Link Back and Tag CLA
Link from your social media site to your department homepage and CLA social media sites. Tag @CalPolyCLA in your posts, so we can further promote and engage with your content.
Post Mindfully
If you discuss higher education on your own social media site, include a sentence similar to this: The views expressed on this page are mine and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cal Poly. If you identify your affiliation with Cal Poly in your comments, readers will associate you with the university, even with the disclaimer that your views are your own.
Share Your Handle
Email your social media handles to Cara King at cking29@calpoly.edu, so the college account(s) can follow you and share your posts.
Public Engagement
When writing for publications,
- Look for publishers with credibility. Be strategic in where and what you publish. Consider the reputation and audience; the publication should matter to your field or to society on a larger scale.
- Talk about the impact of your research on California and the world.
- Schedule regular time for writing.
- Know the publications guidelines (e.g., don’t send an article on basic research in your field when they only accept applied research).
- Follow deadlines. There will often be short turn-around times for submitting pieces.
Types of publications to consider:
- Op-Ed
- News columns
- Magazine articles
- Online journals
- Reputable blogs
- Technical/scientific reports
Recommended publications and resources to consider:
- The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/us
The Conversation offers informed commentary and debate on the issues affecting our world. - Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/
Forbes is a global media company, focusing on business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle. - Help a Reporter Out (HARO) https://www.helpareporter.com/
HARO provides journalists with a robust database of sources for upcoming stories and daily opportunities for sources to secure valuable media coverage.
Questions?
Contact the CLA communications team:
- Cara King, Communication Specialist – cking29@calpoly.edu
- Nicole Troy, Communications Specialist — nmtroy@calpoly.edu