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…

For all you trumpet aficionados out there…
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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…

A music memory: Jackson, Mississippi, 1970 or so…

Vintage Tony Joe White photo via Rock's Back Pages

Riding in the back of my parents Ford station wagon I remember hearing Tony Joe White’s swamp boogie stomp “Polk Salad Annie” sliding out of the little am radio speaker. Something about it caught me, made me pay attention.
It was the GROOVE, I realize now but at the time I just knew I liked it. I was just a kid, soaking up all kinds of music.

Years later I heard the song again and it grabbed me again. So I dug deeper.
What I Found Out 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!"

As a kid, I was into music. I was fortunate to grow up listening to a musical stew brewed up by my older brothers and their friends whose taste was, let’s say, “diverse”.
The Beatles, Cream, Harry Chapin, Led Zeppelin, Zappa, and Little Feat shared a room sometimes with Count Basie and his Orchestra, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and BB King. Out back on the patio? Lynyrd Skynyrd, Allman Brothers, ZZ Top, Charlie Daniels Band and the Edgar Winter Group.

Willie Dixon courtesy of The Willie Dixon Fan Club

It’s been a long time comin’… – David Crosby

Trace Relations - The Band, logo design by Clay Meyers, cdmgrafx

Greetings,
While I keep The Social Freelancer ™ updated on a variety of topics related to Music, Media, TV and Film, 99% of them NOT a self promotion, I hope you’ll indulge me here for 2 minutes (!) to show off a bit. This video is a new demo of our HD stock footage offerings from CityB-roll.com, edited to a short instrumental track from my band project Trace Relations ™. The song is an advance track from our upcoming debut studio CD release.
Check out the video and the MUSIC>> 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…

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…

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…