Derrick Sorles

Current

Co-Founder and Owner at Gay Travel and Best Gay Cities.com Online Publishing
Web 2.0/Social Media Strategist, Coach, Consultant at Business Blogging Consultants.com

Past

Executive Director at Leadership Grand Rapids Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
Management Consultant at Employee Assistance Center
Consultant at Previous Connections

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Education

Spring Arbor University
Eckerd College
Oakland University

Michigan State University

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1 more...

Recommended

29 people have recommended Derrick

Connections

500+ connections

Industry

Online Media

Websites

Derrick Sorles’s Summary

What do I know for sure? Neither luck nor your website will bring you new business online. How did I come to learn this? Investing almost 10,000 real working hours over the last four years. I'm talking, sleeves rolled up, in front of the computer exploring and testing social media marketing strategies to uncover the best of the best practices, usually for 12 hours a day. It all started with one blog and my profile on Linkedin...

What do I do best today? Publish to a growing online empire of sites that I own and consult clients on how they can create their own online marketing strategy using my "recipe for success," regardlesss of what industry they are working within. What do I do really, really best today? Build dynamic "online magazines" using blog software that demonstrate one's area of expertise to attract readers keyword searching for the news, entertainment or information that they've shared through their site. I describe the blog as the nucleus or the core of your online strategy, so if you have one but have made, let’s say the Top 10 Mistakes most people make, it won't really offer any benefit. Or worse, if you don't have one at all, you'll never get to even play, let alone win, in what I call the "Google Game" of organic keyword search.

What do I do really, really, really best today? Explain how to put together a strategic online marketing plan using these emerging tools, sites and new technologies in a way that people can understand-I am so not a techie guy, I'm a serial marketer. I would be happy to consider taking on your project based on its scope but my own sites allow me to do less custom work. It seems everyone today who was doing any sort of offline sales and marketing is now a Web 2.0 or Social Media Marketing Expert so just be forewarned and due your due diligence-I have a transparent, proven track record of success I'm proud and delighted to share with you.

Derrick Sorles’s Specialties:

Blog Content Creation, Relations and Optimization, Domain Name Strategy, Online Social Networks, Networking and Online Marketing, Online Buzz, Word-of-Mouth and Viral Marketing, Organic SEO, Podcasting and Video Blogging, RSS Feed and Syndication Strategy, Social Media Etiquette, Twittering

Derrick Sorles’s Experience

Co-Founder and Owner

Gay Travel and Best Gay Cities.com Online Publishing

(Online Media industry)

October 2006 — Present (3 years 2 months)

In 2006, we launched an online gay travel magazine called New Gay Travel Guide.com (set-up in a free blog template format). We love travel, who doesn't. Little did we know within 6 months we would be attracting a couple thousand monthly readers from over 100 countries to our site!

Our sites are dedicated to bringing fun and exciting news and photos and the best-of-the-best, current gay travel information about exciting places and gay events and gay news from around the world. We cover the best of gay travel in all forms: Gay hotels, gay accomodations, gay resorts, gay cities, gay cruises, gay events and gay destinations.

Since the launch of the original site we now have 6 micro-city sites, as well as the newly launched Best Gay Cities.com from around the world. We enjoy thousands of monthly readers now and each month the numbers grow and grow.

We consistently are on page one of Google for GAY TRAVEL, as well as 5000+ other unique keyword combinations! which bring people to our sites in search of the information we provide.

Our online gay travel magazines:
http://www.newgaytravelguide.com
http://www.bestgaycities.com
http://www.bestgaychicago.com
http://www.bestgaynewyork.com
http://www.bestgaypalmsprings.com
http://www.bestgayfortlauderdale.com
http://www.bestgaytoronto.com
http://www.bestgaypuertovallarta.com
Web 2.0/Social Media Strategist, Coach, Consultant

Business Blogging Consultants.com

(Online Media industry)

June 2003 — Present (6 years 6 months)

Our emphasis is on accelerating new revenue opportunities online for ourselves and clients through our unique combination of Web 2.0 best practices.. With our backgrounds in online publishing, writing, marketing and advertising and PR, we provide cutting edge strategy from ideation through to commercialization for online marketing initiatives that last years beyond their original creation. We deliver organic(non paid placement) keyword search findability (GOOGLE/MSN/YAHOO) to organizations looking to be known as the experts and gurus in their marketplace online. We own over 100 key domain names and publish to 15+ blogs of our own regularly. You can enjoy plenty of free information to grow your business online at http://www.businessbloggingtips.com or if your a dog lover for fun visit http://www.miniatureyorkshireterrier.blogspot.com (This is actually our dog Trixie Lee's site, we just coach her on strategy to maximize her organic keyword search publishing efforts)
Executive Director

Leadership Grand Rapids Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce

(Professional Training & Coaching industry)

2001 — 2003 (2 years )

Leadership Grand Rapids or LGR (now The Center for Community Leadership) is a program of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce since 1985, that develops a diverse network of “Community Trustees” – leaders working for the greater good of the community. I championed 3 mature programs - trained, motivated and developed a small internal staff and engaged over 150 volunteers annually, including an Executive Board, to achieve/exceed goals with limited resources and under tight time constraints. Developed and implemented new program curriculum driving increased corporate sponsorship and program enrollment, moving the programs back into the black. "Derrick Sorles served as our Executive Director with passion and commitment...He made our program stronger through his perspective, enthusiasm, and abilities. Through the efforts of Derrick, his staff and our volunteers, we have created one of the best leadership programs in the country..." - Timothy Reimink, National City Bank, Chair, LGR
Management Consultant

Employee Assistance Center

(Non-Profit; 11-50 employees; Professional Training & Coaching industry)

1998 — 2001 (3 years )

The Employee Assistance Center is a non-profit, managed behavioral health care firm and employee assistance program (EAP) provider. As a Management Consultant, I was primarily focused on the development of new business revenue by establishing a territory of clients who then were to be serviced and retained. My direct contribution back to clients centered around soft-skill training programs for their employees. Served as a highly visible community trustee in the Grand Rapids Community. Established effective network of personal and professional relationships that were based on common values. Developed reputation in marketplace for delivering dynamic, cutting-edge workshops and seminars.
Consultant

Previous Connections

(Privately Held; 501-1000 employees; Consumer Services industry)

1987 — 1998 (11 years )

Previous Direct Employment with Innovations in Management, Life Mastery Consultants, Signature Motor Cars, Sealund and Associates, Surgicorp, Medical Dynamics, Carrera and Optyl Eyewear, J. Lewis Cooper Company

Derrick Sorles’s Education

Spring Arbor University

BA , Organizational Development , 2000 — 2003
Eckerd College

Undergraduate Studies 1992 — 1994
Oakland University

Undergraduate Studies 1986 — 1989
Michigan State University

Undergraduate 1984 — 1985

Additional Information

Derrick Sorles’s Websites:

Derrick Sorles’s Interests:

making a difference, agencies providing shelter to the homeless and feeding the hungry, understanding latest technology applications, bridging high-tech with high-touch, empowering and connecting individuals to resources to be happier and more effective at work, at home, and in the community

Derrick Sorles’s Groups:

Networlding, CISPI, YNPNChicago, Lakeview Pantry, Partners in Community Building, Alliance To End Homelessness In Suburban Cook County, Graduate Leadership Grand Rapids Class of 2000, Dale Carnegie Course Alumni and Graduate Assitant, Dale Carnegie Sales Course Graduate and Team Leader, Toastmasters International

LinkedSEO
On Startups - The Community For Entrepreneurs
Inbound Marketers - For Marketing Professionals
Networlding
Hospitality & Travel
Consultants Network
Search Engine Strategies Conference & Expo
eMarketing Association Network
Online Advertising Professionals
Out Professionals
ThoseinMedia
Sr level Internet Marketers Group, Internet Marketing Professionals Only.
Human Rights Campaign
Travel 2.0: Interactive Travel Industry Professionals
Innovative Marketing, PR, Sales, Word-of-Mouth & Buzz Innovators
World Tourism Network
Tourism 2.0
LGBT Professional Network - Global
THAT's Professional (Travel, Hospitality, Aviation & Tourism)
Social Media Marketing
Friends of New York City
Travel Insiders
Media Professionals Worldwide
Travel Media Pros
Business Marketing Association of Chicago
Travel & Tourism Industry Professionals Worldwide
Media & Entertainment Professionals
Travel Editors & Freelance Journalists
Marketing & Communication Network
Luxury Hoteliers
Gay & Lesbian Travel Industry Forum
Global Luxury Travel Network
NLGJA National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association
GLAAD Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
workingOUT
Online Travel Technology
GLBT Professionals (and Friends)
twitter innovators Innovation & Creativity Network of Tweeters
Marketers United - Marketing Suppliers Group
Ashley Ellis
The Technology Experts
Business Consulting Buzz Group
Networking Nation—ONLINE NETWORKING for Execs. in Marketing/New Media/Promotions/Publishing/PR
GLBT Social Network and Web 2.0 Marketing
Dog Travel Company
All for Marriage Equality / Gay Marriage