If your like Bucci Insurance Group and you have a well established online presence, but you want to continue to grow and are unsure how, this is the article for you. But first go to our Facebook page and like us!

At this point it is very clear that you need to run 2 power tools around your branding, your site or business: Twitter and Facebook Fan Pages, but when it comes to the later you have to dig a little deeper to get familiar with the possibilities.

1. Insights (Your In-House Analytics)

If you are already running a Fan Page, the first step will be to start paying attention to your analytics. Yep, Insights doesn’t include an incredible amount of analysis and reports but it sure provides enough data to get to know your audience a little better. So make that your first stop, see the genders, age groups and other available data before you start designing a strategy. In case you haven’t seen it, it’s located on the left sidebar of your page.

2. Big Profile Pic (Banner Style)

There is not much to do with Facebook in terms of customization and don’t get me wrong, this is a good thing or the site could be looking more like MySpace… but that means we have to leverage from any real estate available on the page and that is your profile picture.

3. Invitations & Bulk Messages

One of the main differences between a Profile and a Fan Page is that you can send bulk messages to all your fans. Also, and one of the first steps you should take is sending an invitation to join to all your friends with the “Suggest To Friends” feature right under the profile picture.

4. Facebook Widgets On Your Blog

So you are promoting your content on your Fan Page, now promote the other way. Bring your Fan Page to your blog or site by adding the Fan Box to encourage visitors to join the page.

5. Twitter Integration

You can’t ignore Twitter. Again, both ways, you can now sync your Fan Page to update your Twitter status.

6. Blog Promotion

You should always post links to the wall but if you are looking into taking it to the next level, add your blog to the tabs. Blogging networks such as NetworkedBlogs or Blogged allow you to integrate a feed and give your fans a little taste of your blog. At the same time, your blog is now part of a network and that can translate in some additional traffic and followers.

7. Facebook Apps

There are many applications you can integrate to Fan Pages that will help you promote user interaction. Some of them, like the Video app, are already a default on your page, but I suggest you browse through them and you will most likely find something great for your industry or business.

Roger Williams University, located in Bristol Rhode Island, is making waves regarding ethical practices. Currently two separate groups of students all Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) members are part of initiatives to generate awareness and create action among students, faculty, and the community at large about ethical behavior.

The first initiative entitled, “Random Acts of Kindness,” is a national Public Relations campaign inspiring peoeple to practice kindness and pass it on to others. Random Acts of Kindness is comprised four students who understand that reaching out to share kindness with your community makes it a better place for everyone to live. Some of the events the team has coordinated to share kindness include, passing out fortune cookies with random acts of kindness, a balloon drop, with each balloon sharing a kind sentiment, and wearing red for a day in support of the cause. The article has already been featured in the student newspaper the, Hawks Herald. Show your support for Random Acts of Kindness by following on Facebook and Twitter. What will your random act of kindness be today?

The second student initiative focuses more on academic integrity. Their public relations campaign, “Illuminating Integrity,” seeks to bring attention to the newly revised Academic Integrity Policy at Roger Williams. Within the first 24 hours of the campaign’s launch there was over 20 faculty emails received in support of the campaign and interested in helping.  The goal is to enrich learning on campus through an emphasis on honor and integrity. The students hope is that this sense of integrity also translates into the faculty and students daily lives. The campaign highlights a few of the most common acts of unethical behavior at RWU to connect with students and share the importance. “Illuminating Integrity” has also employed the power os social media, support this campaign on Facebook and Twitter.

These efforts really embody the core values at RWU, namely Love of learning as an intrinsic value, preparation for careers and future study, and a commitment to community through service and sustainability.

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.

Want to read what people are tweeting about your company? Did a new restaurant open up downtown and you want to hear the reviews? Twitter Search in Plain English by LeeLeFever from Common Craft talks (more like draws!) you through the steps on how you can do just that. Check out Bucci Insurance’s “How To” video pick of the week and then keep a look out for other ones to follow!

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/ .