Enjoy,

Jonathan

This is a question that I hear almost everyday when talking to friends, clients and business connections. Many people understand they NEED to be on these social networking sites, but are not sure exactly WHY they need to. The reason – they are an excellent marketing tool for their business!

Think about the networking cocktail parties that happen around the globe every day. These networking events can be held by associations, professional groups or even local chambers of commerce. While sometimes they can be niche and packed with your target market, many times can be sporadic and unfruitful. And not to mention the time and money your have to commit to them!

What if I told you that Social Networking sites are JUST like these local cocktail parties and networking events, BUT that the differences are astounding. “online cocktail parties” are running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year…even on holidays! You choose when you want to get involved in Social Networking Sites:

*Allow you to choose the EXACT target market you want to engage and connect with

*Have absolutely no travel or telephone work associated with them

*Allow you to be flexible.

Social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn allow you to connect with large masses of people including your old friends and professional colleagues, but more importantly they allow you the opportunity to meet and connect with new and exciting people who are willing and able to build your business, purchase your products, learn from your expertise and spread that all too valuable word of mouth!

By connecting with people on social networking sites you are enabling a wide group of people to benefit from your area of expertise while engaging them in conversation, asking/answering questions and gathering valuable information to help you market more effectively to your target audience. To be honest, the opportunities are endless.

Social networking sites allow you to build real relationships with your audience, inform them instantly of new developments in your industry, your company and your life.

Have a new ebook you want to promote, let your friends on Facebook and LinkedIn know about it first! Tell them about your new blog posts, your new staff members, a professional award, your television interview

At the end of the day, sites like LinkedIn and Facebook allow you to bring the human factor into your relationships with your consumers. This is why major international corporations have been using these networks for years to connect with their consumers with excellent levels of success.

What are your thoughts on this?

Chris Tompkins

CEO, Go! Media International

Texas Stadium September 19, 2009

I shot the Gala 12 hours before game time and our feed made it to the screen and the entire stadium. Celebritys from all over were there (including Jerry Jones, John Madden and Pat Summeral  just to name a few) to see the place and mingle and watch the Diana Ross concert.

Afterwards me and my buddy Pat Hawks got an un-escorted tour of the place ( under the radar). We walked the entire place 360 It was awesome I must say!

NBC broadcast booth before game time.

Heck why not? the next day I was watching it at home in my living room what was the score oh yeah the Cowboys lost to the Giants 33-31.

# 1 Have money in the bank for hard times at least a 3 months income.

#2 Be flexible when things are slow, maybe take a lesser skilled job to have some money comin in.

#3 Budget, Budget, Budget being thrifty and debt free living can make it possible.

#4  A side job? maybe consider it maybe a hobby/job that can bring in extra money like a vending business maybe where it is flexible hours?

#5 most freelancers when getting paid use a 1099 process therefore taxes are NOT withheld well don’t live on that income take 20% off the top and put it in a higher interest rate savings account for 1/4 payments to the IRS.

#6 Remember freelancing takes years to get in the loop it’s a “ who ya know Business” I highly  suggest making phone calls and contacts through fellow freelancers and by all means have a GREAT attitude! in order to be sucessful take pride in what you do be on time and work hard.

#7 I have a very short list of who I recommend for one big reason I’m recommending someone as my equal or better for a job for my client I don’t want someone ill fit for that job who may show up late be lazy or have a bad attitude and can’t run a camera under stress.

#8 I got in this business because I enjoy it and like to have a good time there is nothing worse than working with stick in the muds by all means have fun smile, laugh and enjoy success you won’t get rich doing freelance but you sure can have fun!

#9 Getting paid ah now here’s where ya need to understand some things. We do a job as freelancers based on a dayrate + necessary overtime. Once our invoice is submitted  it usually is around 30 days before a check arrives in our mailbox sometimes 45 days and let me tell you having been owed $$$ thousands in a months time it can get frustrating. Here are a few tips as well I put ” DUE UPON RECEIPT” on all my invoices that doesn’t guarentee it being paid right then but at least a term is given. Next when submitting an invoice make sure it goes to the accounting person ( and doesn’t sit in the PMs inbox unread) have an accounting persons name and your invoice # so you can speak to them when the time comes. Let me tell you being nice to the accounting clerk will be in your best interest . I have received checks in hard economic times quickly just by being nice, honest and not rude.

One of many concerts I’ve shot at House of Blues can’t say I was proud of the lead singer on this one. I was the down front handheld camera as lead singer Tyson Ritter lays on the floor. He was totally doped up in front of his teenage audience see if you can tell? The HVX -200 makes pretty pictures however the user friendliness stinks I’d rather have a fullsize camera on my shoulder during “LIVE” shooting.

now comes strike!

This is a small setup behind the racks of video world showsite for Bristol Myers Squibb. In this case neatness doesn’t matter it’s behind the scenes. Every single cable is used for something a nightmare at strike when it gets all put away.

This photo was taken moments before Idol winner Kris Allen took the stage at the 2009 Walmart shareholders meeting.

 WELCOME TO MY Blog! The blog format gives me the opportunity to update you on what projects I’ve been working on and gives you the chance to leave your comments. So have at it! Browse through my pages and send me a comment or ask me a question. I have posted some blogs that highlight recent events I’ve been involved with and projects I’m looking forward to.