One Entrepreneur On Marketing: Derrick M. Guest

This is part of a series called "The Entrepreneurs on Marketing."  This interview is with Derrick M. Guest.

Regarding your approach to marketing, push or pull?

I use pull to market and advertise my services.  Marketing online via social networking site is a good way to target your market and find people who are looking for my services.

What do you think about branding? 

Branding is a necessary part of marketing your services.  In your signature, you should always have your logo and or tag line so people can view and remember what it is that your do.  Having my logo all over the web is a great way to build my brand and market my business.

How important is your personality to your brand? 

Very important, it is what make your company.  People identify with a product by the people that represent the company.  Personal branding is building your companies brand.

What are your top three ways to promote your business? 

(1) On-line social networking sites i.e. face book, linkedin, twitter, ning sites. 

(2) Using video marketing is another way to promote your business. 

(3) Testimonials is a very important way to get your products, services and events out there.  People will trust a satisfied customer word on a products, services and event.

What have been your keys to success when it comes to growing your on-line audience? 

Marketing on the social media sites has grown my business and help build our brand and find our audiences.  Video marketing, a recent client made 12 sales and counting using our video marketing and online marketing services.

Any final thoughts on marketing a business? 

You have to be an expert of your industry, keep up with the marketing trends and pay close attention to where your target market is getting their information.  That will help you find your customer base.

Derrick M. Guest, CEO and Founder of Griot’s Roll Film Production & Services Inc.,  started Griot's Roll in 2004, which focuses on video production, video editing, video marketing and video consulting.  Mr. Guest teaches small business owners for Project Enterprise a organization that helps start up business owners and entrepreneurs learn how to marketing, advertise and grow their business.  Derrick is a volunteer for Pencil Partnership and the Eagle Academy for Boys, helping young people learn the art of making videos.  You can view all of Derrick Videos and Blogs on his Ning network or on the Facebook fan page.