It may be obvious, but I believe everyone / every business can make use of a MySpace profile. Sure, the site is horribly designed, but you can hack it to pieces or just find ways to maximize its existing capabilities. Some tips:
- Every time you have an upcoming event / new video post / anything you NEED your audience to engage with, issue a MySpace Event Listing. Then, invite everyone on your list, or just those who fit the geographic profile.
- Change your photo often. Nothing brings in repeat profile lurkers like a new photo every day.
- Don't use MySpace's blog feature if you already have one of your own. Just make one post that sends all blog hunters to your "real" blog URL.
- Issue bulletins with grippingly cryptic titles. On MySpace, bulletins are Google AdWords in the hands of the people.
- Leave ads in the comments on your friends' profiles that direct traffic back to your profile. If you can do this in a non-ad, "conversationally contextual" way -- like, say, ACTUALLY having a dialogue with someone -- that's even better.
- Cross-blast your traditional marketing materials (press releases, email updates, etc.) to your MySpace friends. Cutting-and-pasting works wonders and enables you to hit another few thousand people.
Kim A
· 2 years ago
How about another question? Who gets the Inspirational Community-Builder using Technology Award? Chris, thank you! thank you!! We appreciate the generous gift of your time and patience to introduce us to these tools and sites. (Who would have thought the information superhighway would lead to the grocery store?)
We are excited about the potential of these resources to help us deepen conversations with providers using the Touchpoints Approach to make a positive difference for children and families.
Dale Cruse
· 2 years ago
@Justin: I know what you're saying about blogging on MySpace. However, writer Warren Ellis takes a different approach: He blog multiple times per day on his regular site but saves one little unique morsel for his MySpace blog daily. That way it gives fans a reason to subscribe to both. I think that's an interesting approach.
Second the vote for Myspace. It obviously has it's sordid and annoying side, but I have yet to find a better way to network with other musicians (besides going to shows, of course).
jon g.
· 2 years ago
it's = its
Sometimes I think I will never stop making that mistake.
chrisbrogan
· 2 years ago
These are some great ideas, Justin and Dale. I'm still on the fence about the ultimate value of MySpace. I like your thoughts on it, especially Justin and Dale, who come to it from the music and culture perspective.
Because Touchpoints appeals mostly to the parents of little kids, I imagine more and more parents have a MySpace presence. Do you think?
Justin Kownacki
· 2 years ago
Actually, the slightly older crowd seems to be migrating to other, newer social networking sites, including those that specifically target an older crowd ( like Parents Connect) or professionally-oriented sites (like LinkedIn).
But, as the industry leader, MySpace still provides value. After all, you can simply check the box under "Children" that says "Proud Parent" while searching for new friends to add...
jon g.
· 2 years ago
I think Justin's point about "contextually conversational" comment ads deserves a big underscore. Comment spam is really annoying not only because it feels icky but because it can really mess with the layout of your page. After spending time tweaking MySpace to get it looking the way you want it to look it's a bit frustrating having someone post huge event fliers or elaborate "Thanks for the Add - Come to my site!" images.
Kevin Kennedy-Spaien
· 2 years ago
While I use many of these tools - if not most - I am starting to think about Ning.com.
My approach to MySpace is..."it can't hurt".
David Mckenna
· 2 years ago
Myspace is there to be used or you will get left behind ;o/
All Comments
- Every time you have an upcoming event / new video post / anything you NEED your audience to engage with, issue a MySpace Event Listing. Then, invite everyone on your list, or just those who fit the geographic profile.
- Change your photo often. Nothing brings in repeat profile lurkers like a new photo every day.
- Don't use MySpace's blog feature if you already have one of your own. Just make one post that sends all blog hunters to your "real" blog URL.
- Issue bulletins with grippingly cryptic titles. On MySpace, bulletins are Google AdWords in the hands of the people.
- Leave ads in the comments on your friends' profiles that direct traffic back to your profile. If you can do this in a non-ad, "conversationally contextual" way -- like, say, ACTUALLY having a dialogue with someone -- that's even better.
- Cross-blast your traditional marketing materials (press releases, email updates, etc.) to your MySpace friends. Cutting-and-pasting works wonders and enables you to hit another few thousand people.
We are excited about the potential of these resources to help us deepen conversations with providers using the Touchpoints Approach to make a positive difference for children and families.
Sometimes I think I will never stop making that mistake.
Because Touchpoints appeals mostly to the parents of little kids, I imagine more and more parents have a MySpace presence. Do you think?
But, as the industry leader, MySpace still provides value. After all, you can simply check the box under "Children" that says "Proud Parent" while searching for new friends to add...
My approach to MySpace is..."it can't hurt".