Are You Using Myspace?

The Internet is developing at a fast pace. In the last few years blogs and
then social book-marking became a rage, and to confess to you honestly I
still haven't gotten the hang of how to use either of these two for
marketing purposes. However, I am not such an old geezer after all, because
I really am into Myspace.com.

Myspace.com is a tremendously interactive medium which is most frequented by
teenagers who like to share their photos and exchange messages with each
other, and with pop music bands, who set up online presences that attract
thousands of new listeners. In the last year Myspace has become one of the
most visited web destinations around. (Alexa currently ranks it as the sixth
most visited site.).

If you are not a teenager and you are not the lead singer in a rock band, is
there any chance that Myspace could be useful to you? Large businesses such
as Jack in the Box, Nike and Walmart have Myspace.com presences, all kinds
of advocacy organizations have Myspace profiles, and even local real estate
firms are opening up sites on Myspace. This is in a sign that there must be
something in it for a wide variety of businesses and organizations.

So, how does it work and how could it be useful to a business or
organization? Basically, you have to go to Myspace.com and open up an
account. If you are indeed a musical group or artist then you should be sure
to open up a music or band profile.
There are also distinct accounts for comedians and filmmakers.
If you need a specific type of profile then go to Myspace music, film or
comedy and click on the artists sign up, otherwise just open up a new
account at Myspace.com .

Once you have your profile set up. You can add an "about me"
section, put up photos, and post blog messages. The Myspace blog is quite
effective, and posts are quickly picked up by the Technorati blog search
engine. You can also display your favorite song. If you have a basic
knowledge of html you can modify your Myspace site and make it quite
distinctive. You can also use online editors such as those found at
www.Myspacetoolbox.com

The key to Myspace as a marketing tool is the Friends section.
A "friend" is another Myspace user who has agreed to accept your request to
be in contact with him or her. By building up a large list of friends you
are effectively building up a large mailing list, and as marketers are quick
to point out, "the money is in the list."

You can build up a targeted list of friends by making searches on Myspace
for specific keywords, or by browsing using all kinds of demographic
criteria: age, marital status, zip code etc.

Once you get a list of friends, you can send bulletins and messages or make
comments on your friend's website. You can't make a comment on another
Myspace website unless you are already a friend, and I think this is the key
factor that makes Myspace so interactive. Every time you make a comment on
another Myspace website you are in effect making a link back to your site.
Every time you are becoming a "friend" of another Myspace user, you are
making a link back to your Myspace site.

Build up your links and you will get traffic. Build up your mailing list and
you can advertise your events and offerings.
Make a profile that is interesting and informative and you will build up
your online credibility. It sounds like a winning formula to me.

Can it be effective for your business purposes? I can't answer that
question, you will have to try it and see if it works for you. One more
thing, it is a lot of fun, and can be addictive.

About The Author: Donald Nelson is a web developer, author and social
worker. His firm http://A1-Optimization.com provides affordable search
engine optimization and website promotion services. You can read more
articles like this one or sign up for a web promotion tips newsletter at
http://www.a1-optimization.com