The Social Freelancer: Media, Music, TV & Film

Think you can’t build “real” friendships through social networks? Think again.

Be a fan, build your fanbase

I have noticed that people get bored with social networking because they are only interacting with friends they have known for years. To really benefit from being on Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin, you need to engage with others and learn about what they do. In turn, they will learn more about what you do and become new friends and potential clients. I have “met” an array of people from all over the world through social media. There are many people that I now feel like I “know” who are doing incredible things online.
See who they are>> Read more…

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…

South Texas Soul: The San Antonio Sound – Augie Meyers, Doug Sahm and the history and influence of South Texas on popular music of today. Documentary filmmaker Tracy Ready examines the influence of German, Polish and Irish immigrants in South Texas on popular music styles including Country, Tejano, Blues and Rock and Roll, from a unique perspective.

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Introducing The Social Freelancer Blog and Facebook Page

Why?

I have dreamed up some great names for businesses, bands and websites over the years, but gave very little thought as to how to protect them. I thought as long as I was using something as an email address or domain name on website, I was somewhat protected. WRONG.

How I Screwed Up – A Cautionary Tale
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…

“You don’t want to be a promotional bullhorn in social media. You have to learn when to speak, when to promote and how much self promotion is expected, or tolerated.” ~ Tony Cecala, Ph.D., Business Strategist

Freelance Media Consultant Tracy Ready interviews Tony Cecala, Ph.d. about managing Social Media for small business, entrepreneurs and freelance consultants:

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Watch This Space!

Did you ever notice billboards with this message? “Watch This Space!” You drive past it everyday and then you naturally start watching to see what ad shows up there. Read more…

Freelance Media Professional Tracy Ready speaks about his experience in learning social media skills to promote small business. Included is list of Top 3 skills to attract more followers on Twitter, Facebook and other Social Media sites. This is first in series of 10 videos on this and related topics. Free newsletter at TraceTV-Film-Music-Social Media blog
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Originally posted on Feb. 16, 2009: The Aquarium Concept
If you like these ideas please follow The Aquarium Concept on Twitter
This dude has one awesome “real” aquarium >>

The Aquarium Concept.

Pretty sight, isn’t it? It’s not mine, in fact, I have never had success taking care of tropical fish. It’s just not my “thing”, even though I enjoy scenes like this. I do have an “aquarium” of sorts, but it has no glass, rock or water, only thoughts and dreams. My aquarium was a total mess for a long time, until I came to terms with this:

In order for things to flourish, they must have a good environment. This goes for people and fish and ideas too. You can have an aquarium, with some beautiful young fish but if you don’t take care of them (as I found out at age 10) soon algae grows in the tank, the fish start looking sickly, and then die off. Sounds simple, and it is, but looking at your life and your goals this way takes a little practice. It’s the same with ideas, projects, art, poetry, music, film, video, job search, family relations; whatever the passion, the aquarium concept holds true.
Read more…

(Original post: December 31, 2008)

It’s New Years Eve, 2008; Wow! what an amazing year it’s been, through the tumultuous election process and downturn in economy, we are still hanging in here, and feel quite blessed to be at home with family today. Among other things, this has been a year in which I delved headlong into social networking, and it has been fun and rewarding for me both personally and professionally. I have gathered a few thoughts here, that I hope will benefit others, so here we go…

Connections are important, but content is powerful.
I was resistant to the social networking / blogging idea until I began to see the hidden potential for my businesses, and our developing music and documentary film projects.
Read more…

How does social network marketing work? This is a low tech video explaining in a clear manner how to use sites like FaceBook, MySpace. Linkedin and more to benefit you. I had nothing to do with the video, don’t even know this guy, but I think this makes a good companion to my previous post “Social Networking the New Year, and why not?”