Kickin' It with Amberly Bucci
This week, we’re so thrilled to feature Amberly Bucci—a mega-talented digital marketing queen that we’ve loved getting to know over the past few years.
Amberly has personally helped us here at Sidekick step up our SEO game, and helped us to come up with approachable, easy-to-implement strategies that formerly felt pretty daunting. Amberly began her journey in entrepreneurship a few years back after an incredibly decorated career, and is now the proud owner of Amberly Bucci Digital Marketing. If you’re looking to step up your digital marketing efforts, implement new SEO strategies, want to ramp up your sales and have hard facts to see growth over time, and want a cheerleader behind you every step of the way, Amberly’s services are for you!
Tell Us A Little About Yourself And What You Do For
Work And Fun!
Hi, I’m Amberly! I’m 36 years old and am originally from Albany, NY. I am a Digital Marketing Strategist, Speaker & Travel Enthusiast.
I run my own digital marketing company here in Upstate NY. As a Digital Marketing Strategist, I work with businesses to help them get found and boost sales online. I love coming up with creative marketing plans. I’m passionate about what I do and really enjoy helping my clients succeed online!
A few of my favorite things:
Good beers, cooking, travelling the world, podcasts, the Adirondacks, island camping, teaching digital marketing, the Caribbean, self-improvement books, speaking, comedy shows, and all-you-can-eat sushi buffets!
Top 5 Favorite countries:
Japan, Philippines, Thailand, Jamaica and Aruba
How Did You Get Into Digital Marketing?
I started traditional marketing back in 1999 and digital marketing in 2005.
After college, I heard about a great opportunity to teach English and marketing classes in Asia and decided to just go for it. So I packed 2 suitcases, hopped on a plane and moved 8,000 miles to South Korea! I lived in Seoul and Jeju Island, South Korea. I taught English and marketing to students, Samsung executives, CEO's, and other business professionals for over 3 years. It was such an incredible, eye opening experience!
In 2009, I moved to Florida and worked at digital marketing agency that promoted luxury real estate and hospitality brands in South Florida.
Throughout my career, I’ve had some incredible opportunities working with great companies such as Samsung, Walt Disney World, Stewart’s, Six Flags, Hilton, and Marriott hotels, as well as numerous small local businesses throughout Upstate NY and the Adirondacks. I love working with all types of businesses but my favorite are tourism & hospitality clients!
In 2011, I moved back home to Upstate NY. I spent 7 amazing years at Mannix Marketing as their Senior Digital Marketing Strategist. During my time there, I gained invaluable agency experience helping hundreds of clients in a variety of industries and sizes grow online. While there, I took home a few national awards for the company and worked on building my speaking resume at chamber events and local and national conferences.
In 2018, I decided to follow my dreams and start my own business with a focus on digital marketing education.
I currently run my own company, Amberly Bucci Digital Marketing. I specialize in SEO and Social Media Marketing. I help manage website content, social media pages, develop strategic digital marketing plans and offer training classes via 1:1 workshops and consultations.
I love to teach others how to leverage the power of digital marketing. I’m a passionate speaker who has educated over 3,000+ attendees at numerous events. Last year I co-hosted “Amplify – The Social Media Conference” here in Glens Falls, NY. The feedback from the audience was great and I look forward to hosting more events in the future!
This past year, I was able to triple sales for one of my local clients, simply with SEO, blogging and social media ads!
I’m so happy that I took the leap and started my own company. Of course, entrepreneurship is an up and down journey and a lot of hard work, but it’s been such a great experience. I love seeing my clients succeed. I am working on some really fun projects for clients and can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2020!
The World Of Digital Marketing Seems To Be Changing Every Second. How Do You Keep Up With It?
So true! Digital marketing is constantly changing. To stay up on trends, I like to listen to podcasts, read articles online, watch YouTube videos, attend conferences & partake in mastermind groups.
A few of my favorite digital marketing experts to follow are Amy Porterfield, Social Media Examiner, Pat Flynn, Neil Patel and Digital Marketer. Click here to see some of my favorite podcasts. ☺
Are There Any Quick And Easy Tips Businesses Can Use To Boost Their Social Media Presence?
• Leverage User-Generated content
A great way for your business to stand out and be more creative online is to get your customers to create your content for you (i.e. user-generated content). Do your customers love your products or services? Get them involved with the content creation process! Ask them to share reviews, photos, videos, and stories that you can then re-share.
This is a proven way to design high-performing ads that convert.
• Be Social
Be social! Sounds simple, but it’s so effective. Socializing with your followers on social media should be a key component of your online marketing strategy. Follow influencers in your niche, current customers, partners, potential new customers, and engage with them! Take 10 minutes a day to leave valuable, thoughtful rich comments.
Remember, social media is more than just posting photos and catchy captions. It’s about interacting, engaging and truly connecting with your audience on a deeper level so that you build trust and stay top-of-mind.
• Target Your Ideal Audience
I’ve worked with a number of clients and I’ve noticed a common trend – many businesses don’t have an effective targeting strategy in place. Most times they are just not aware of the advanced targeting options available to them! They are publishing the same content for everyone to see. There is an old adage in marketing that says, “If you’re talking to everyone, you’re talking to no one.”
With targeted options now available, businesses can get their content in front of their ideal audience with targeted ads. I help my clients drill down specific niches of customers instead of taking a one-size-fits-all approach. For example, if you are trying to get people to your wedding expo in Albany, NY, you can target females ages 20-45, newly engaged, who live within 50+ miles of the event. If you have a local kitchen remodeling company, you can target homeowners, ages 40-65, who like HGTV who live within 20+ miles of Glens Falls. By sending out targeted messages to very specifics audiences, it’s proven to increase conversions!
What About Search Engine Optimization (SEO)? Any Quick Tips You Can Share?
SEO is the process of getting your website to rank high in the search engines. Increasing your visibility on Google can have a significant impact on your bottom line.
More website traffic = more sales!
People are searching for your products and services and it’s crucial that your website is getting found at the top, not your competitors. SEO is a time investment but it can have a HUGE impact on your website traffic, leads and sales. I’ve seen it work for countless businesses!
Below are 5 SEO tips:
1. Leverage long tail keyword phrases - Long tail keyword phrases are 3+ word search queries (Ex: “hardwood flooring company in Saratoga, NY” vs. just “flooring company”). Implement an SEO plan to rank for these. (Competition to rank for long tail keyword phrases is usually low so you have a higher chance of getting to the top of Google.)
2. Regularly post new content - Post content that includes target keywords that you’d like to be found for. Google likes to see fresh, new content that offers value to the end user.
3. Build backlinks – Getting quality links is a huge part of the algorithm for ranking in search engines. See if you can get quality links that point to your website from chambers, forums, non-profits, high authority bloggers, etc.
4. Optimize for Google AND for the user – Create keyword rich, engaging, and valuable content that’s likeable for both humans and search engines.
5. Develop your SEO strategy based off of data and analytics - Numbers don’t lie. Data driven marketing is the way of the future and should guide your strategy.
What Advice Would You Give To People Who Are Looking To Take The Leap Into The Entrepreneurial World And Start Their Own Business?
Make sure before you jump into the entrepreneurial world that is something you are truly passionate about! Create a business plan. Get a SCORE advisor. Write your goals down on paper. Look at them often. Acknowledge you may fail but take away a lesson. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Network and learn from experts who’ve walked your path. Really listen to your customers. Embrace feedback and use it to make improvements. Build a team of experts that share your vision. Deliver amazing results so that your clients trust you and refer you. Never stop learning. Invest in your business & have a growth minded mentality.
What Exciting Things Are On The Radar For You In 2020?
I am really excited for some new projects that I am working on in 2020. I am currently working on expanding digital marketing training services (online and in person via workshops), as well as running webinars to help other marketers small business owners and entrepreneurs learn digital marketing.
How Can People Learn More About Your Services And Get In Touch?
To learn more about my services, customers can visit me over at Amberly Bucci Digital Marketing, or find me on Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram!
As a fellow Glens Fallsian, can you tell us some of your favorite things about this city? (These can be 1-2 word answers)
Favorite Coffee Spot: Spektor Coffee
Favorite Shop: Rude Betty
Favorite Restaurant: Aroydee Thai and La Consina Mexican (a hidden gem!)
Favorite Event: There’s too many to name! If I had to choose my top favorites, I would say LARAC Festival, Take-A-Bite, Glens Falls Brewfest and the Adirondack Balloon Festival in Crandall Park.
Favorite Season: Summer – of course! ☺