The Social Freelancer: Media, Music, TV & Film

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…

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…

Why “Reruns” Rule Social Media ….I just jotted down this headline and then thought how funny it would be to hear Elmer Fudd read it: “Why Wewuns Wule” hahaha…
As you may have seen from my post last week “Headed to Hong Kong” I’m out of the country and busy with a corporate production, so I hope you won’t mind that I am posting a “rerun” today. This post was originally titled “Why What’s OLD is NEW in Social Media.” I hope you like it. Next week I will be back in action with something new… Cheers, Trace
>>READ: Why What’s OLD is NEW in Social Media>> Read more…

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!"

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…

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…

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…

Quality Content – Top Posts from The Social Freelancer ™ – Free
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Next issue releases Thursday, September 22, 2011, 9 AM Central Standard Time (USA)

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I like my doctor.
Why? Well he’s a nice guy, plus he’s chubbier than me, so I don’t feel so guilty about my expanding middle aged girth! He’s a realist. He told me once that he wouldn’t tell me to not have a beer or 2, maybe 3? …once in a while. He said if he told me not to I might run into him at the concession stand at the Dallas Mavericks basketball game and see him walk away with a cold beer and some nachos. He’s no hypocrite.

What did the doctor say?

It’s not what you do some of the time that matters, it’s what you do ALL the time.

I said “huh?”
Read more…

Often, people tell me they are not active on Facebook or Twitter because they feel like they don’t have anything to say.

The fact is they’re getting too hung up on being totally original. If you stop and think about it, no one is truly original or “earth shattering” very often.

What’s Old is New with Social Media Read more…

Music lets people know who you are

I love music. Period. I have surrounded my life with music and connect with it on many levels, daily. Now I have discovered ways to use music to feed social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Youtube.

In this video I describe how I listen to music (something I would be doing anyway) and grow my social networks all while doing “actual” work in my office. I hope you find it helpful. If so (or if not) would you please post comments below or post this to your Facebook page?…or both? That would rock me. Thanks.

>READ ON> View the video >> Read more…

The Social Freelancer 8 Most Popular Posts:

Why What’s OLD is NEW in Social Media

Keep the “Social” in Social Media
SIX MORE Posts and CONTACT Trace >> Read more…