The Social Freelancer: Media + Music

You signed up for Facebook but rarely look at it or make any status updates.
You’ve heard about Twitter but just don’t “get it”
You want to increase business via Linkedin but don’t know how.
You think because so many have built up huge followings on Social Media that it’s “too late.”
Here’s what I think:

If you have done nothing in social media, it’s NO BIG DEAL. Many people are in the same boat. Jump in.~ @freelancesocial

— Tracy Ready (@TraceTV) March 4, 2013

You are not alone. One of the best things about social media is that there is a short memory span. People jump in and out all the time. Many have profiles that are inactive (that’s not good, but easily corrected).

This is meant to encourage you. Read more…

This post is contrary to what a lot of “experts” say. I don’t buy the idea that we are all just one thing. A photographer, a musician, a social media enthusiast… Yes, I am ALL of those things. I believe most people have multiple passions, even if they don’t see themselves that way.

Common wisdom: Find your niche, stick to it.
My take on it: Define a few niches, and focus on them.

I AGREE with the common wisdom of finding a niche and focusing on IT. That concept helped me make a career in television as a young man. However, I have always been a person with several “irons in the fire”: video production, photography, music, writing, travel. That is who I am, and I ENJOY pursuing multiple avenues at once. I realized a long time ago that each of them had to be defined in themselves.
Read more…

For people who are primarily Facebook users, Twitter can be something of a mystery.
I have been using Twitter (and Facebook, Youtube, Linkedin, Google+) for a few years now, learning as I go, and sharing information about social media for freelancers on this blog.

Gathered here are ten posts about Twitter, it’s uses and advantages, using Storify. I hope you find these helpful.

I’ve included posts from three individuals whose blogs I have found to be insightful about Twitter, and social media in general. You should know them too:

Mark Schaefer:
Site: BusinessesGrow.com
Twitter: @markwschaefer

Ann Tran:
Site: Ann-Tran.com
Twitter: @AnnTran_

Jeff Bullas:
Site: JeffBullas.com
Twitter: @jeffbullas

READ: Why Twitter: 10 posts that help: Read more…

Social Media Strategy: Be Real

This is a guest post by my social media – music world friend Stan Stewart. Yes, we are friends, although we’ve never met in person – it’s the power of social networking, at work… More about Stan following this article. Thanks for tuning in – Trace

If you want to, you can read dozens of how-to posts about how you should run your social media campaigns. They are everywhere these days. And it’s a great idea to find out as much as you can about whatever social networks you’ve selected for your brand or personal use. But this post is about something much more simple for each of us: being the real you. Read more…

As a writer, photographer and Internet geek, it’s always thought provoking for me to look at Google Analytics on this site. Each week, this tool reveals which posts have gotten the most traffic, causing me to think about the content, and which topics are resonating with readers.

My life as a freelancer in video production, music and marketing is a constant balancing act, between time spent on speculative creative projects, paying clients, social media interaction and evaluating new technologies. I enjoy all of it, but it can get overwhelming to the psyche. That’s why I write about these topics, it helps me to further explore, understand and interact with others who also face similar challenges in life.

I also like to laugh (it’s important!), so I am glad to see #4 “Church Ladies with Typewriters” made the list…

Here’s the list (with links) of the Top 7 Posts from The Social Freelancer ™ blog this week:
(click on titles to read full posts, please share…)

1. Three Reasons to “Like” Twitter over Facebook

2. The Creative Quandry: When Finances Battle Art

3. Review: Exploring Storify, cool new content creation tool

4. Funny! Church Ladies with Typewriters

5. Four Tips for Surviving Social Media

6. Reaching Out: Why Good Content is Not Enough

7. The allure of a Texas River… Photography and Music

Which is your favorite? Why?
Please comment below this post. Thanks for tuning in! ~ Trace
(Read on: Read more…