The Social Freelancer: Media, Music, TV & Film

News and Information from Tracy Ready ~ Trace Productions

5 Best Quote Sources on the Net

A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five.
- Groucho Marx

Two questions I get often:

1. Where do you get your quotes?
The short answer is: a lot of places… multiple sources that are easy to use. After a good deal of research and trial and error, here are the five best sites for quotes on the Internet (in my not so humble opinion!):

READ ON FOR LINKS TO BEST SITES FOR QUOTES ON NET>> Read more…

posted by Tracy Ready in Writing and have Comment (1)

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…

posted by Tracy Ready in The Social Freelancer and have Comments (2)

Botched PR: What Netflix and Facebook Execs Don’t GET

What a crazy week, and it’s only Wednesday! Now I am compelled to have a bit of a rant. Our regular slammed busy week is further complicated by this exchange:

Lauren: “Damn, they changed Facebook again. What is the deal with this News Feed? I don’t get it. Why do they keep changing it all the time?”
Trace: “Who the hell knows? I’ll try to figure it out later but right now I have to answer these ten mind-numbing emails, go to the post office and return some gear. Who’s got time for this stuff?”

Facebook FAIL

What They Don’t Get – WE DON’T LIKE CHANGE! Especially when it seems completely unnecessary… Read more…

posted by Tracy Ready in The Social Freelancer and have Comment (1)

Google+? Novelty for Now. Google Reader? GOLD

In recent weeks there has been a lot of speculation about Google’s new social networking interface, Google+. Yes, I am a social media junkie, so of course I have a profile on Google+ and you can easily find me there. Truth is, I am only there because I have gmail and Youtube (Owned by Google) accounts and they naturally made it easy for their current users to migrate into Google+.

My Take on Google+? Read more…

posted by Tracy Ready in The Social Freelancer and have Comments (4)

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…

posted by Tracy Ready in youtube and have Comments (14)

Reciprocate! A Simple Concept for Social Media

What makes you feel good? For most of us just being acknowledged for something we have done does the trick. When someone mentions me or posts one of my articles, it warms me up. One little mention lets me know I’m not just “spittin’ in the wind” with social media.

What’s the easiest way to thank someone? Reciprocate!
On Facebook or Twitter it’s easy to thank someone. Post an update and use the “@” symbol in front of their name. That becomes a link to their profile and (on Facebook) shows up on their wall or (on Twitter) shows up in their “mentions”. As soon as that person checks in with these services they will likely see that you have mentioned them or gave them credit for a compelling post.
>>>READ On to see how I do it and who is on my Top 15 “Reciprocators” List>> Read more…

posted by Tracy Ready in The Social Freelancer and have Comments (16)

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…

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…

posted by Tracy Ready in The Social Freelancer and have Comments (12)

Timing Check! When Is Your Twitter Time? Facebook?

This week I am evaluating the most effective times to engage with others using social media. Time Management is my #1 challenge in LIFE. I have seen positive results from interaction on Twitter and Facebook (more traffic to my sites, more productive relationships with friends, family and clients). The only question is when to interact. Read more…

posted by Tracy Ready in The Social Freelancer and have Comments (3)

Social Strategy: Facebook is Your Newspaper, Twitter is Radio

Facebook and Twitter are like cousins, one’s a city slicker, the other is more of a bumpkin. You may be surprised that I think Facebook is “old school” but here’s why:
Read more…

posted by Tracy Ready in The Social Freelancer and have Comments (5)

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…

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…

posted by Tracy Ready in The Social Freelancer and have Comments (6)
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