The Social Freelancer: Media, Music, TV & Film

Get your groove going down on “Prosperity Street”, just a half a mile from “Groover’s Paradise” on the Trace Relations debut release… Physical CD’s ship next week, but NOW all 12 tracks are available for instant download on CD Baby AND on the bands new site: TRACE RELATIONS – Indie Rock and Blues with a Texas Groove.

Tracy Ready and Kevin Lewis. Photo by Jason Meyers

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I have been doing a lot of blues, boogie and roots music surfing online lately. Below are links to seven excellent sites I have discovered for insight on the MUSIC.

The list is not “scientific”, “all encompassing”, “definitive” or any of those fanciful terms, just spots I like for the music I love. If you are a fan of blues music and its history, I’ll bet you’ll enjoy them as well.

What’s your favorite? Any others you would like me to know about? Hope so! Comment below if you please… Thanks!

Willie Dixon courtesy The Willie Dixon Fan Club

The blues are the roots and the other musics are the fruits.
- Willie Dixon

Shuffle on to these seven sites for history and music for the soul. >>> Read more…

Wow! This graphic timelines the technology and social media explosion we have witnessed in recent years. Gazing at this spurs memories of my own experiences with the technological advances represented. I flash on days in my life (good and bad) that involve these things and I am left to wonder:
Have we made progress as PEOPLE?

It's people that count

I believe that if technology and social media are feeling like restrictors on your life one should take a step back to “breathe and re-boot.” Then jump in again focusing on the avenues that bring you the greatest feeling of freedom and FUN. When you combine those things in a way that also enhances your business, it’s a winning combination.

What do you think?
I’d really like to know! Post your thoughts on the matter in the comments sections at the bottom of this post. That would thrill me, but then again, I am easily amused…

Hope you enjoy this visualization of our recent techno past courtesy of Visual.ly Read more…

So honored to be asked to appear! Debbie Barth has invited me to talk about and spin some tracks from Trace Relations’ Debut CD “Prosperity Street” on her On The Grid Internet Talk Radio show this Saturday January 14th. We’ll talk about the music, the documentary “South Texas Soul: The San Antonio Sound”, Augie Meyers, Doug Sahm, my strange life and more Texas goodness. The show is on BlogTalkRadio at 10AM Eastern Time (9AM Central) and call ins are welcome. So give us a listen or ring up and let’s chat! It’s going to be loads of fun…

Hope you will tune in:

Debbie Barth Hosts

FOLLOW THIS LINK>
Trace Relations: “Prosperity Street” OnTheGrid at BlogTalkRadio
Grab your seat in the chat room, or call in at 323-792-3071, and join in the conversation.

Groove on to the videos from “Prosperity Street”>> Read more…

I’ve got the ham and black eyed peas on the burner as I sit here reflecting on the strangeness that was 2011. I don’t know about you but I am happy to have kicked last year to the curb! It was a difficult one on many fronts…
A BIG positive note for me was the development of this blog, The Social Freelancer ™. I have enjoyed posting regularly (a first for me!) and the interaction of people all over the world via social media (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube).

One thing I have learned on my blogging journey is this:
Nobody is “great” right out of the gate.

Will they "like" it?

Below are links to five posts that were “successful” in my mind. I believe they met their intended goals in a concise, “reader friendly” writing style. These are not necessarily the posts that got the most traffic (although a few of them did quite well). These are posts that I am proud of, looking back at the past year.

Which of these posts do you like best? Worst? Why? Please comment below, thanks for visiting The Social Freelancer ™

Here they Are! Top 5 of 2011 from The Social Freelancer ™: Read more…

Predictions are novelties but “actions speak louder than words”. The only question about the new year that any of us can actually answer is “What will I do?”

Long Live George Jetson
When I was a kid, I loved The Jetsons cartoons and tried to never miss it on Saturday mornings. Watching George flying to work, dropping off daughter Judy, Boy Elroy and Jane his wife, then arriving to have his personal air-car “transform” to his briefcase fascinated me. The whole show was a prediction of the future but the characters were just like people in my everyday life.

Live to See it Happen Read more…

Love it or hate it (I am sure there will be lots of hand wringing commentary on both sides) Facebook IS changing, rolling out the new user interface, Timeline. Next week you’ll be changed over. NOPE, no choice on your end. What do you think of all this? Please comment at the bottom of this post. I read every single one, and value your feedback.

Want to have a look before you get switched over? HERE > Introducing Facebook Timeline

Here’s official Facebook video which gives a quick overview of the new Timeline interface: Read more…

Not convinced social media matters? Watch ANY news program on television, from CNN to Fox to MSNBC – EVERY SINGLE ONE now will bombard you with invitations to connect on Facebook AND Twitter. Trust me, I have worked in television for more than twenty years. If social media wasn’t having a positive impact on their relationship with viewers, thereby driving up the value of advertising, THEY WOULDN’T BE DOING IT.

Repetitive messaging works with ALL MEDIA, whether we like it or not...

Who gives a Twit to share a Tweet? What does it all mean? Well, it takes a bit of instruction (or self teaching as I did) to understand it but the numbers don’t lie, Twitter is a powerful news, information and marketing platform. Everyone who is ignoring it, think again, wrap your head around it, it’s here to stay.

Check out this Infographic…

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Getting just a little knowledge one time and then thinking you’ve got it all figured out doesn’t “cut it” in these economically difficult times where EVERYONE is struggling to be heard above the noise in social media.
READ ON FOR TOP 5 SITES>>> Read more…

I’m no expert, just a freelancer trying to make my way in this world. I watch what others are doing (or not doing), implement ideas that make sense to me, and share it here. I use social media as an outlet of expression and a way to assist growth in my business.

Being “social” can certainly enhance your business, but it won’t MAKE a business.

Where to Begin? Read more…