The Social Freelancer: Media, Music, TV & Film

News and Information from Tracy Ready ~ Trace Productions

marketing:

5 Reasons We’re Afraid of Networking – How To Avoid The Negativity Spiral

So much nervousness about what to post on social media! I see many people worried about what others may think if they post “the wrong thing.” Most of us have some insecurities when it comes to socializing, whether it be at an informal party, a networking event or in social media (Facebook, Twitter, Google+ etc…). I think most of it stems from these five self-doubting thoughts:
READ ON – 5 Reasons We’re Afraid of Networking Plus 5 Helpful Posts >>> Read more…

Share with your friends:
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • email
posted by Tracy Ready in The Social Freelancer and have Comments (2)

Keep the “Social” in Social Media – Revisited!

It’s a busy week here and I have had several requests to see this post again so here we go, reminding you to:

KEEP THE SOCIAL IN SOCIAL MEDIA
Hope you find this helpful. I look forward to your comments and criticism, it’s all good. Won’t you post something in comments below? Many thanks, Trace

Freelance Media Professional Tracy Ready discusses the analogy of social media for freelancers as going to series of parties and outlines the relationship between social networks, a blog and small business websites.

YouTube Preview Image

“Have fun at the party but don’t be a jerk!”

See the rest of the story>>> Read more…

Share with your friends:
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • email
posted by Tracy Ready in youtube and have Comments (14)

Why I Use Twitter AND Facebook – What About Google+?

Many look at Twitter and Facebook as a waste of time. They also question the sanity of those of us who use these sites extensively.

If someone offered you a free billboard for your business, but you had to put it up yourself, would you do it?

I’ll bet the first question you’d have would be “What street is it on?” Because then you could judge whether or not putting up the sign would be worth the effort.

What if?
You were told that your free billboard would be on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere. However, if you would maintain the sign, and keep it posted with current, interesting content, it would be gradually moved to rural highways and eventually to busy interstates and be seen by thousands every day. Would you do it then?
Read more…

Share with your friends:
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • email
posted by Tracy Ready in The Social Freelancer and have Comments (9)

Let’s Stick Together: Share to Become 1 of “My Top 5 Socially Smart Indie Musicians”

Let’s face it. Nothing is easy, especially trying to promote original music in a world of shrinking budgets, a stagnant live music scene and the proliferation of free online music sources. If you are trying to make music, record it and get people to listen, it’s clear you have to work a whole bunch of channels (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, etc…) to make anything happen.

Vocalist Tracy Ready, Photo by Rick Moore

I am in the same boat with my band, Trace Relations ™ and our debut CD release. If you are an independent artist or band, I have a proposition for you that I think is a win-win.
If this sounds good to you, join in. If not, that’s cool too, thanks for dropping by. I hope you’ll take a moment to listen to some Trace Relations ™ music, and tell me what you think of the project.

HERE”S THE DEAL FOR INDIE MUSICIANS AND BANDS: Read more…

Share with your friends:
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • email
posted by Tracy Ready in The Social Freelancer and have Comments (12)

Self Employed Competing With Corporate: Why You Should Team Up

Is your head spinning trying to make an impact for your small business through social media?
Join the club.

On the bright side, prior to this “revolution”, advertising your business even through local radio, TV or print campaigns was an expensive proposition. Now, you have the ability to spread your word for free across the Internet. It’s working for big business, and it can work for small ones, but going it alone makes it tough.
In this video, I try to put it in perspective. My suggestion? Build your own team and help each other. It costs nothing but time, and if you are not working enough (which is the case for many freelancers these days), time is something you have to work with.
Check out this short video for an example of my suggestion>> Read more…

Share with your friends:
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • email
posted by Tracy Ready in The Social Freelancer and have Comments (7)

Social Media Simple – 3 Videos

Having worked in “traditional” media (television) for more than 20 years, I have been astounded at the growth of social media and it’s impact on how we do business as freelance media professionals. It’s also apparent to me that many of my colleagues in television and music production are not taking part in this revolution, often because of a lack of understanding of how it all works.

Social media is about people sharing information and learning from each other, not directly pitching products.

READ ON and see 3 concise videos that lay out the basic concepts. >>> Read more…

Share with your friends:
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • email
posted by Tracy Ready in youtube and have Comment (1)

Freelance on Facebook: 5 Fast Tips

Facebook for Freelancers

I have had many friends, colleagues and some very annoying acquaintances flow into my Facebook stream in recent years. In particular, I know family members and close friends who are self-employed and see some value in Facebook but are confused (rightfully so!) about how to use it to benefit their own businesses. Over time I have learned a few things about managing what I do and see on Facebook. Today I am sharing five tips that I hope you will find helpful.

This post IS NOT about how to get on Facebook, create an account or any of that. For all general and technical questions go to Facebook Help.

It IS about making it easier on yourself to interact with others and to promote your own brand responsibly on Facebook.

Freelance on Facebook: 5 Fast Tips>>> Read more…

Share with your friends:
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • email
posted by Tracy Ready in The Social Freelancer and have Comments (6)

The Thing About Obstacles

The thing about obstacles is that they will always be there. Sometimes the obstacle is something lurking in the shadows, sometimes they are smack in front of you in a glaring light. No matter how much money we make or power we gain, for most of us, there is a desire for something “more” or something “new.” As long as that desire exists, there will be someone or something in the way, an obstacle to achievement.

Whether you want a greater understanding of God, a new car or just a new pair of shoes, there’s always an obstacle.

Uh oh... small problem... photo courtesy NCWpics.com


The Rest of the Story>>> Read more…

Share with your friends:
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • email
posted by Tracy Ready in Travel and have Comments (3)

Top 4 Videos from The Social Freelancer

Last year I had an idea to produce some videos describing my experiences with social media. I did so with the help of some fine friends (watch video #4 to see who they are) and began posting this site:
The Social Freelancer ™.
Since then I have been gratified by the response to these posts. I have also had requests to put multiple videos in one post. So here you go!

Trace says "thanks for tuning in!"


Read on and watch the videos>>> Read more…

Share with your friends:
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • email
posted by Tracy Ready in The Social Freelancer and have No Comments

My Top Five Teachers ~ The Social Freelancer Speaks Out

What I Have Learned
A sound business strategy in today’s market should be a mix of “traditional” media, done sensibly and “new” media. There are more ways to economically promote your business than ever before IF you have the knowledge and experience necessary to use both old media (television, radio, print) and new media (Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, etc.) to your best advantage.

Who I Am Learning From
It’s astounding, the amount of good information in this “new media” age available for free online for anyone who cares to seek it out. There are many sources out there; I want to share my favorite five with you.
READ ON and visit the Top 5 >>> Read more…

Share with your friends:
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • email
posted by Tracy Ready in The Social Freelancer and have Comments (3)

Scatterbrain Writer Needs Help! Vote For New Blog Posts

Writers are a persnickety bunch by and large.

Most of us have specific ideas about how we write, when we write and how the stars have to align to get anything meaningful from our little brains to the page. We also seem to have different types of writer’s block.

The Many Flavors of Writer’s Block
READ on and VOTE in comments at bottom of post>> Read more…

Share with your friends:
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • email
posted by Tracy Ready in Writing and have Comments (15)

Fire Sales: Why You Should Be Suspicious

This is a guest post from David Cleaves, co-owner of Ten Eighty Media a fine, full service production rental house based in Dallas – Ft. Worth, Texas. I included David’s article here as it pertains well to the production market and the message transcends to any business, large or small. As freelance professionals we should think hard about who we refer as vendors and what we are offering to our clients through our own advertising efforts. I hope you find this helpful and look forward to your comments. Thanks, Trace
Read the rest of the story >>> Read more…

Share with your friends:
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • email
posted by Tracy Ready in TV – FILM – VIDEO – PHOTO and have Comments (2)
Get Adobe Flash player