MySpace as Networking Tool

MySpace overtook me last night.  Being the active experimenter that I am, I couldn't stay away from MySpace as I poked around and thought about how this networking space could work for me as a business tool.

It's pretty easy to set up a profile and it's free. If you're using it as a business tool, then I recommend you use it wisely to let people know who you are and what you do (see Chris Knight's profile for an excellent example). 

What I noticed in looking at random profiles is that most are crappy.  A lot have no information and no photo.  What's the point?  My sense is that a lot of profiles get set up and then abandoned, much like blogs. So can you use it as a marketing tool for your business?

My guess is yes, if you're very targeted and strategic about what you do.

• You can use your "About Me" section to talk about your business, products and services.
• You can use the blog module to write about your business and events.
• You can send "bulletins" to all your "friends" about your product launches, press releases, events, etc.
• You can join MySpace groups that represent your target audience and participate in discussions and send bulletins to everyone in the group. No spamming!
• You can post your Events on the public calendar
• Ultimately it's a networking tool.  As you add new friends, you can communicate privately, people can leave public comments and you build a community.
• You can reconnect with people from your high school, college or university

In an email conversation I'm having with Marlon Sanders, which would never have happened in a million years if I hadn't received his email invite, then signed up, then requested to be on his friends list, he responded to my skepticism this way:

Ummmmm, I CAN tell you this. So a guy I guess who knew me but I didn't know him sent me a message wanting me to speak at his conferences.

You could argue it would've happened anyway. But he'd never contacted me before. Or frankly, maybe I blew him off.

I've also reconnected with some people who will make good JV partners. Just seeing people's PIX is huge to me and being able to go to their site and see pix of their products or what they got going on.

So, is it worth trying out?  That's only for you to know.  If you like trying new things, if you like testing new systems, then give it try.  Visit my profile, set up your own and then add me as a friend.  We'll see where it goes.

Related posts:
MySpace as Marketing Tool
My Space at MySpace

Comments

[Solo Business Marketing]

There has been much debate in the business world on whether or not MySpace is a good fit for us.

The debate makes sense. Wasn't MySpace originally set up for pre-teens and teens? It also makes sense for businesses who cater to that group to have presence.

I'm still on the fence. It's not easy for a solo entrepreneur with four sites and three blogs to add one more entree to the table, especially if the audience isn't a marketing target.

[Denise aka The Blog Squad]

I understand the part about having a lot going on already. Patsi and I have 10 blogs, many websites and are actively creating products and services, along with serving clients. And, I'm a bit on the fence too about MySpace for business. However, as I spend time poking around, I see a lot of the Internet heavy hitters actively building their networks so I'm going to hang out for awhile and see what happens.

[Chris Knight]

I know I've turned off a few of my members when I told them about my MySpace profile because they think only tweens or teens use the site.

Not true. I'm 36 and it makes total sense to me.

Anyone under 39 understands the MySpace networking opportunity and it's just not something you can explain to someone over 40...nor is it worth convincing them of the value.

If you're over 40 and you 'get it', then you must be young at heart (and ahead of your generation). :-)

[Denise aka The Blog Squad]

I just saw an bit on my local news in Los Angeles about social networking site. Must be going mainstream if it's being reported locally! One of the points of emphasis was that more and more people between 20 and 60 are using MySpace! They interviewed a few and showed some profiles. Unfortunately, I cannot find a link on my NBC affiliate's site to share this report.

I guess people over 40 are finally getting it!