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)

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.

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“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)

“Groover’s Paradise” A Tribute to Doug Sahm

Dallas, TX (Aug. 16, 2011) A rocked up remake of Doug Sahm’s 1974 landmark track “Groover’s Paradise” has been released. The track is available at Trace Relations Band Official Site. “Groover’s Paradise” is one of four tracks released from the band in advance of their full length CD “Prosperity Street” coming in December, 2011.

The song was arranged and performed by vocalist Tracy Ready and guitarist Kevin Lewis of Trace Relations Band with Shawn Sahm of Texas Tornados, a tribute to his father, the late Texas music pioneer Doug Sahm.

GROOVER’S PARADISE
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Read on for the story behind the track >>> Read more…

posted by Tracy Ready in Texas and have Comments (2)

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)

Blog: Why You Shouldn’t Try This Alone

This blog is fun for me. I like to write and I’m interested in expanding scope of my business, so it’s a good fit. But it’s not for everyone. I made a lot of mistakes getting started. I got past a hump, a time when I didn’t have a strong identity for the site. I didn’t have a clue, but I slogged through it. It is a big time commitment and something that I believe you should think through before starting. More about this HERE > Should You Blog? Don’t Be Fooled, It’s a JOB.

To blog, or not to blog... that's the question


IF Blogging is Right for You, READ ON Read more…

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

Indie Music: “Open Mind, Open Eye” a Trace Relations Original

I am very thankful for the kind response we’ve had on the release of this song “Open Mind, Open Eye” a Trace Relations ™ original. The lyric was inspired by a single line from my friend, guitarist Kevin Lewis. I posted the story about the lyric HERE> A Crash A Day.

Today I am posting the track (click play on ReverbNation box below) along with the full lyric, for those of you curious about the words. I hope you enjoy our song and look forward to your feedback. Please post in the comments section below, that would thrill me!

Trace Relations - The Band


What do you think of this? Read more…

posted by Tracy Ready in Music and have No Comments

A Crash A Day – It’s Not “Right” but it’s True

A Crash
You were seeing the beauty of the Swiss Alps up close and personal in a private helicopter. A rogue crosswind slammed the chopper into the side of the mountain with no warning. Miraculously you find yourself outside of the wreckage, the only survivor and basically unscathed, save a few bumps and bruises. This is the way we wake up each morning.

Rescue in the Alps - photo courtesy DataLife Engine

What To Do? >>> Read more…

posted by Tracy Ready in Writing and have Comments (4)

Why Are These The Top 3? Analyzing Social Media

I confess. I am a Google Analytics junkie. This tool shows me on a daily basis what traffic is coming to this site, where people are visiting from (more than 40 countries so far!), and what posts are getting the most views. I enjoy looking at the statistics because it shows results of the work I put into sharing the posts across multiple social networks. I try to understand why some posts do better than others. A good writer wants to know what’s working and what’s not, and tries to improve on his craft.

Google Analytics rules... Today I am looking at the three posts which have been shared most often, trying to discern what it is that makes them successful. I would enjoy hearing your opinion. Please post in the comments section below. Thanks for tuning in. – Trace

Want to know about this tool? It’s free, and I don’t get anything for recommending it, go here> Google Analytics
READ on for Top 3 Posts from The Social Freelancer ™>> Read more…

posted by Tracy Ready in Writing and have Comments (2)

Should You Blog? Don’t be Fooled, it’s a JOB

It’s not “Julie and Julia”
Did you see that film? A young woman in New York who desires to be a great cook starts preparing a recipe a day from Julia Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking”. She starts a blog site and writes about her experiences. By the end of the story she has become an internet sensation having done nothing to promote the blog. It’s an excellent film that my wife and I enjoyed very much. However, this business about her blogging success was just pure “Hollywood”. It doesn’t happen like that.

To blog, or not to blog... that's the question

Don’t let anyone fool you, it’s a JOB.

READ ON > Is blogging right for you? Read more…

posted by Tracy Ready in Writing and have Comments (13)
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