Hi! My name is Rachel Lawton, the new social media intern for Bucci Insurance Group. I am a senior public relations major, graphic design minor at Roger Williams University. I have a passion for PR, writing, and social media. Being involved is also something I enjoy; as a result I have served as PRSSA President for two consecutive years and become a co-founder of Sustained Dialogue Campus Network at RWU.Over the years I have developed a zeal for traveling. About a year ago I had the privilege of studying abroad in Australia. This experience provided me with insight into other cultures and an appreciation for the world at large, which I have been able to apply to both my personal and professional life. After graduation I would love a job , but would enjoy working for a global PR agency or in-house for a global company.

As an avid user of social media personally, it came as an exciting opportunity to take on the responsibility of social media intern at Bucci Insurance Group. With prior experience in corporate social media I am eager to begin to effectively use social media to generate awareness and reach out to current and prospective customers of Bucci Insurance, fellow Rhode Islanders, and those who have a vested interest in the industry and community. I look forward to developing mutually beneficial relationships via social media.

Some of the exciting things we have planned in the months to come are a jingle and commercial competition, which will allow media users of any age to submit the best Bucci Insurance jingle or commercial for a chance to win some great prizes! We will be establishing the Wednesday Wonder on facebook and Twitter asking users to tweet and comment back about a particular topic. Bucci Insurance Group is also hosting their annual social media and internet marketing event March 24^th, be sure to mark your calendars! There are many great social media changes t0 come so keep an eye out for my tweets, comments, and blog posts!

How to Create a Positive Image is Bucci Insurance Group’s “how to” pick for this week. Diane Keng, a freshman at Santa Clara University, is one of the few who has already understood the importance of creating a positive image in the social media world. In an article from the Providence Journal, she was quoted saying “Maybe someone will look you up on Facebook before they actually meet you in person. Once first impressions are through, it’s really tough to get back from there.” This is why she suggests creating two accounts; one personal, only accessible to family and friends and the other a public professional. You need to have an idea of how you want the world to perceive you and then portray that through your social media footprints.

Make sure your accounts on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and any other social networking sites reflect the person you want others to see. What you say, post online, and what others say about you allows onlookers to assume things that may or may not be true. Dan Shawable, a personal brand consultant suggests signing up for Google alerts. This helps keep track of when your name is being mentioned on the internet and what is being said.

On professional accounts, post relevant links, friend co-workers, and post pictures about a great event you put on, and talk about what a success it was. Make your page have a voice. In the Providence Journal, it even offered the idea of creating your own website. You can find domain names at GoDaddy.com and create a profile about you, your work experience and blog about your thoughts and ideas. Don’t be afraid to disagree with someone and voice your own opinion. Most importantly, if you decide to do that, keep the site updated! You do not want to be perceived as someone who gives up easily.

With these tips, take control of your image in the social media world and make it a positive one.

Sharmin Attaran. She’s the professor at Bryant University that everyone knows, even if they haven’t had her. Her Consumer Behavior class is one that disappoints students- only on registration day when it has already reached capacity. It is one of the few that are really interactive, engaging, and (at least for me as a marketing major), exciting. Today Professor Attaran is featured in the Providence Journalfor her research in social media. She explains the more popular social networking sites and what they’re typically used for. “It’s like going to a party. Are you the type of person who stays with one group, or do you mingle with everyone to get the most out of the experience?” She explains how social media is a two-way street, if you haven’t had much excitement on your account lately; it’s probably because you haven’t started a conversation!

Her research in social media, her life experience, and the excitement she has for what she does, all contribute to her lessons in the classroom. As a former student and now an intern at Bucci Insurance as the Social Media Manager, I can say I have learned a lot from her class and have already been able to apply it the “real world.”

Great work Professor Attaran! We wish you the best of luck with your continuing research.

Hey that’s me! Although it took a lot of pep-talking from Nick Brown and Alicia Collins from Astonish Results, I was finally able to build up the courage to speak in front of the camera. This awesome duo has been interviewing insurance social media managers, like me, all over New England. I was their fourth stop and definitely not their last. With their videos they are trying to capture a different side of the insurance world and let others know that it can be fun. So far, they have portrayed different perspectives from each interview;  one being a family connection within the business, another being a marketing major who is now getting licensed in insurance, and mine being the balance of work and college and how it has helped with my work in social media.

They don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.  They have a goal of changing the perception of the insurance industry so that people can enjoy getting involved with it and build better relationships with their insurance company. I have no doubt that they will succeed!

Check out my interview below and Astonish’s Insurance Marketing blog!

Warwick, RI July, 6 2010- Bucci Insurance Group announces their first ever social media event, “Are You Ready for the Future? How to use Internet Marketing and Social Media to Better Build your Business,” on July 22 from 6-8 p.m. at the Airport Radisson Hotel on Post Rd. in Warwick, RI.

Bucci Insurance has experienced tremendous growth since forging a partnership with Astonish Results, a digital marketing and web services provider in Rhode Island. As a Rotarian and servant of the community, agency owner Anthony Bucci wants to spread digital marketing awareness to other locally owned businesses, and this event is the first step.

“I’ve lived in Rhode Island for my entire life and have seen many beloved local businesses come and go,” said Mr. Bucci. “From a marketing perspective, the Internet and social media level the playing field for small businesses to compete with corporations as long as they understand the tools and best practices. That’s what this event is all about.”

Highlighting the event will be guest speakers including, Keith Stokes, Director of the Economic Development Corporation and Andrew Gobeil, ABC 6 news anchor. Offering the keynote will be Tim Sawyer, president of Astonish Results and a digital marketing expert who’s been on the front lines helping insurance agencies across the country move from the Yellow Pages era to the digital revolution.

To reserve your seat for this FREE event, contact:  Tony Bucci by email at:  T@bucciinsurance.com or call: 401-633-3070 or visit the website at http://www.bucciinsurance.com/partners-event/ .

Watch this video and get a taste of what you will learn at Bucci Insurance Group’s social media event, “Are you Ready for the Future? How to use Internet Marketing and Social Media to Better Build your Business”

Welcome to the World of Socialnomics!

Thursday July 22^nd at 6:00pm join Bucci Insurance Group at the Airport Radisson Hotel for the business altering event “Are You Ready for the Future? How to use Internet Marketing and Social Media to better build your Business.” Get informed from guest speaker Keith Stokes, The Director of the Department of Economic Development and then be prepared to have your eyes opened to the power of social media from Tim Sayer, president of Astonish Results. Come spend a couple hours with great people, at a great place, to learn great business advice.

Hello readers! My name is Khiara LaBrie and I am the newest addition to the Bucci Insurance Group! I was just recently hired as the Social Media Engineer which I was so fortunate to have found through my school, Bryant University. I will be returning to Bryant this fall as a senior and completing my degree in Business Marketing- I cannot believe how fast time has gone by. I have had so many great experiences throughout my college career and have worked numerous rewarding jobs that I feel will contribute greatly to my latest position.

Khiara LaBrie in the Galapagos Islands

Some of the experiences I am most proud of are that I have traveled to Panama, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands, I competed gymnastics for 14 years and I have coached the North Kingstown High School Gymnastics Team for the past three years. I interned at BZ Results, a digital advertising company, and I currently hold another internship position at Eident Sports Marketing which I am thrilled about.

I am a local Rhode Islander and thoroughly enjoy everything this state has to offer. I hope to share the same passion with all of you and use this blog as a way to keep all of our readers updated on up and coming events happening in our area (such as the Great Chowder Cook Off that takes place this Saturday in Newport!) as well as made aware of important insurance topics in the news.

Looking forward to this next great experience and spending my summer with Bucci Insurance in Rhode Island!