Social Media Handbook

A flickr account can be a great way to promote the activities of your department or program, showcase accomplishments and events, engage with students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community, and create a forum for conversation and discussion. This document provides information on how to get started as well as guidelines on do’s and don’ts for official Vanderbilt flickr accounts.

A paid flickr account is $24.95 a year and provides unlimited storage, sets, galleries, collections, uploading, etc; access to your original high-res photos; statistics on your photos; and HD playback for any high definition videos that you post.

Before you create a new flickr account:

• Confirm that there isn’t already a flickr account in use by your department.
• Secure the approval of your department chair or program manager. Keep in mind that the page will become an official communication piece of the university, and as such should follow all guidelines regarding professionalism, confidentiality and decorum applied to any such communication. Unlike with your personal flickr account, with this account you will be speaking for the university. Medical Center programs must follow additional guidelines; discuss with your supervisor before proceeding.
• The university has created a family of icons that can be used and adapted for individual schools, colleges and programs – please contact the Office of University Web Communications for assistance in customizing those icons. If you do not wish to use these icons and wish to use the Vanderbilt logo or any variation of it, contact Maggie Huckaba in the Office of Trademark Licensing at 3-7292 or Maggie.huckaba@vanderbilt.edu.

Creating a flickr account:

1. To start the process . . . go to www.flickr.com and click on the button that stays CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT.
2. Flickr requires a Yahoo! ID. It is advised to setup the alternate email for your Yahoo! ID using a VUgroupmail account (like, say, mydepartment@vanderbilt.edu). If personnel changes – the Vanderbilt department or program will always have access to the account.
3. Once you’ve set up your flickr account, go to www.flickr.com and log in with your user name and password.
4. For the screenname of your account, choose something that will clearly identify your organization. This is what will display at the top of the page when visitors go to your flickr page.
5. Now you’re ready to start adding photos to your flickr account. Here are some ideas to help you get started:
   • Avoid uploading TOO many photos. Try not to upload photos that are extremely similar. For any given event / album – only upload the BEST photos.
   • Tag and organize your photos . . . create sets and collections. If you tag and organize photos as you upload them . . . it makes maintenance so much easier.
   • Include a link to your flickr page on your Web site – or better yet include a badge that displays your most recently posted photos (build your badge here www.flickr.com/badge.gne). Anytime you post a new photo, it will automatically show up on your Web site!
   • Link your flickr account to your facebook and twitter accounts . . . or post a new message or tweet anytime you’ve posted a new album.
   • Monitor comments on your flickr page daily and respond to those that warrant it. Encourage two-way communication. Delete those comments that include personal attacks, vulgarity or racial / other slurs, but be prepared for critical comments. Do not delete comments simply because they are critical – rather, respond on the wall or directly to the individual with additional information.
   • Include a link to your flickr in your e-mail signature
   • Include your flickr page in promotional materials.