The Social Freelancer: Media, Music, TV & Film

It was fun creating this image for our Facebook page using Wordle:

What would yours say?

Why did I do that?

How did I do that?

Read ON, comments welcome at bottom of this page>> Read more…

A myth: “Scheduling posts to Twitter is impersonal, everyone hates it.”
A truth: “It is important to engage with your followers, interact with them on Twitter so that they know you are a real person, not a “bot”"

If you use Twitter for your business, or to spread the word about a project you are passionate about, you have likely heard both of these statements. You may ask “why would I schedule tweets?”

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TRACE RELATIONS RELEASES DEBUT CD WITH SPECIAL GUESTS INCLUDING AUGIE MEYERS AND SHAWN SAHM OF TEXAS TORNADOS AND DALLAS’ BLUES MASTER HASH BROWN

TRACE RELATIONS is just that, all of vocalist Tracy Ready’s musical relations. ‘PROSPERITY STREET’ is a unique listening experience encompassing Rock, Blues, Jazz and Americana styles. It’s twelve tracks of Texas groove guaranteed to improve your mood, produced by Sal Salvador and Tracy Ready.

Why Wait? Get on down to ‘PROSPERITY STREET’ > Download available NOW HERE > TRACERELATIONS.COM/MUSIC ! SUPPORT INDIE MUSIC! GROOVE ON…

READ the Press Release >>> Read more…

I did a lot of needless yapping before realizing this simple truth: People don’t pay much attention to what you say, all that matters is What You DO.

Want to be a writer?
Start writing.
Want to be a painter?
Start painting.
Want to be a photographer?
Start Shooting

Now you are one.
The Rest of the Story >>> Read more…

What to do with Social Media? Be careful, but have fun… Here are four quick tips for surviving social media, hope you find it helpful.

1. Use common sense. Simple. Don’t put your home address anywhere on your websites, blogs, profiles, anywhere. I keep a business mailing address that is posted on my sites, but it’s no one’s business where I live.

READ ON, Post comments at bottom of this page, I love the feedback. What do you think of this post?>> Read more…

I had a horrible dream last night.
Riding in the very back seat of a passenger van on a two lane blacktop highway at night, I looked up to see that I was the only one in the van. No driver, no other passengers and the van was starting to veer off of the road. I struggled to unstrap myself from the seat so that I could somehow climb over all the seats, get behind the wheel and save myself from certain disaster. I woke up sweating. When I told my wife about the dream she pointed out how symbolic it was for my life at this time. Strange, I couldn’t even see the symbolism until she pointed it out to me.
The rest of the story >>> Read more…

ON THE AIR action this week for Trace Relations… I am honored to be invited as on air guest on the radio, first with Gordon Ames’ Big G’s Texas Roadhouse show on Wednesday, then on Jim Beal, Jr.’s Third Coast Music Network on Thursday. THEN, a special Friday night treat in San Antonio, Guitarist Kevin Lewis and myself (vocals) will appear as guests in live performance with the fabulous S.A. Blue Cats!

“With Trace Relations, Ready does it up right, with soul and sincerity” ~ Jim Beal, Jr. San Antonio Express-News, Third Coast Music Network

More about the shows>>> 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.

Blogging, like photography, songwriting and other art forms (yes I do consider blogs to be “art”) is something that is learned and built through ACTION over time. No one snaps a few pictures or writes a couple of songs or articles and is then “great” at photography, songwriting or blogging. As with my music, I find that after reflection on past material, a lot of it doesn’t “stand up” to the test of time. I believe I am getting better as I go along. What do you think?

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…

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.

There’s more>> Read more…

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 see you watching me like a hawk. I don’t mind about the things you talk. But if you touch me something’s got to give. I live the life I love and I love the life I live.” ~ Willie Dixon
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