Best Practices for Social Media Requests
To help us create the strongest, most effective posts for the Village’s social media channels, please consider the following tips before you submit:
Keep It Clear & Concise
Write your post or bullet points as if you're speaking to a neighbor. Avoid jargon, acronyms, or internal language. Short and simple = more likely to be read.
Plan Ahead
We post content a week in advance, so submitting by Wednesday at 5 PM helps ensure we have time to polish, schedule, and include your request. Last-minute? Be sure to notify us directly.
Use High-Quality Photos
Images should be in focus, relevant, and sized appropriately (.jpg or .png preferred). If you don’t have one, we can help — or post without an image if needed.
Focus on Value
What does the public need to know? Why does this matter? Submissions that are engaging, timely, and resident-focused will be prioritized.
Match the Mission
All posts should align with the Village’s purpose, brand, and values. That means:
- Promoting transparency and community connection
- Avoiding personal opinions, politics, or unrelated agendas
- Respecting confidentiality, public safety, and ongoing investigations
- Following accessibility guidelines when possible (e.g., avoid text-heavy graphics, use plain backgrounds for readability)
Follow Village Policies
This form and our posting process are governed by:
- The Village of Carpentersville’s Social Media Policy
- Public Safety’s Lexipol Policy 391 on Department Use of Social Media
- General communications standards for tone, professionalism, and public trust
If your post includes sensitive or regulatory information, we may route it through a supervisor or department head before posting.