| "Social networking" is the new buzzword in search | | | | code to change the color scheme and layout of your |
| engine optimization. Oftentimes, it doesn't even apply to | | | | template. A quick Google search on "MySpace design |
| standard websites, but rather to the large social portals | | | | tutorials" will yield a wealth of information for the CSS |
| that have fast become the popular sites to visit and | | | | novice. Choose soft colors that don't distract from |
| join. MySpace is a prime example of such a social | | | | your content, lighter backgrounds instead of dark so |
| network. Perhaps you have listened to a radio show | | | | most users will be able to read clearly. Fill out as much |
| featuring a local band, inviting you to visit them on | | | | of the Interests and Information sections as you are |
| MySpace for their concert schedule. Television shows | | | | comfortable doing. As people search through |
| and movies, too, have launched official MySpace | | | | MySpace for like-minded users, the more information |
| pages for their fans to leave messages. Not just for | | | | you provide increases your chances of being found. |
| teenagers, MySpace gets noticed and helps people | | | | Let's go back to the Florida book: for attracting people |
| get noticed. | | | | who like to travel and like Florida, emphasize that on |
| Here people can enlist and create weblogs and photo | | | | your profile page if that is your target audience. |
| galleries, make unique designs to the MySpace | | | | And use the blog! Weblogs are just as important, if not |
| template for a more personal look to their individual | | | | more important, in SEO as traditional websites. Even if |
| pages, and above all connect with other people. For | | | | you have a regular weblog for your site, using the |
| the creative, the musicians, authors, and web | | | | MySpace blog to supplement your information can |
| designers, MySpace can serve as an effective | | | | increase your visibility and reach a new audience. |
| promotional tool. | | | | Offer snippets of your work, short observations |
| Using MySpace in conjunction with your existing | | | | related to your content or interests, and valuable links |
| website can serve to aid in your promotional efforts, | | | | to your products. |
| whether you are selling your latest book or music CD, | | | | "Pimping" Your Space |
| advertising web design services, or offering consulting | | | | Now comes the challenging part: how do you attract |
| on a variety of topics. There are quite a few | | | | visitors to your MySpace without making it look like |
| advantages to using MySpace: | | | | you are "spamming" the site? It is natural, of course, to |
| It's free! Despite what those oft-forwarded e-mails tell | | | | want to let everybody know about your book, but |
| you, it costs nothing to join MySpace and set up a | | | | some marketing tactics can be misconstrued as |
| page. All you need is a bit of spare time and a valid | | | | invasive, and therefore not work in your favor. The |
| e-mail address. Once you have signed up, you can | | | | key to attracting a readership (and network) in |
| start networking almost immediately! | | | | MySpace is good research of the audience. A country |
| It reinforces branding! MySpace allows you create a | | | | music band promoting a CD on MySpace wouldn't |
| personalized URL. Say you have a book called "See | | | | actively seek out people who list only heavy metal in |
| Florida on a Dime". You can create a special MySpace | | | | their profile, so it makes sense to study profiles |
| for the book devoted to Florida and places in the book. | | | | carefully before inviting people to join your network. |
| You can also reserve the URL, [ (this is not a real | | | | As you research MySpace, you might find that like |
| profile at this writing), to let people know this is a page | | | | often links with like. Authors have other authors among |
| devoted to your book. This way, too, nobody else can | | | | their friends, and the same with bands and other |
| claim the name, and you have reinforced your brand. | | | | groups. It is not uncommon, and shouldn't necessarily |
| It broadens your reach! You will find, as you explore | | | | be viewed as counterproductive, particularly if some of |
| MySpace, that there are users who spend a large | | | | the authors write in your genre. Those authors may |
| amount of their online time there, jumping from page to | | | | have among their networks readers who may be |
| page to "meet" new people. It can be said that many | | | | interested in your work, too. By adding these people to |
| people who frequent MySpace may not happen upon | | | | your network, you can make use of the bulletin feature |
| your regular website, yet the added insurance of | | | | in MySpace to alert all users when you have a new |
| having a MySpace allows those visitors to know that | | | | blog entry, an upcoming public appearance, or other |
| you're out there. Place visible links to your website and | | | | news to share. |
| to any third-party retailer selling your items in your | | | | Commenting on Other Spaces |
| profile, and let visitors know you have something that | | | | One might consider it a competition to see which |
| might appeal to them. | | | | MySpace user can offer the most amusing, most |
| Once you have figured out your MySpace identity, | | | | interesting comment image. In browsing other |
| now comes the tasks of building content and | | | | MySpace profiles, you will find some people like to |
| networking to bring people to view your content. You | | | | insert graphics, be they Photoshopped images or |
| might find that creating your own social niche is as | | | | sparkling icons, along with their greetings. As a profile |
| enjoyable as creating a traditional website, though with | | | | owner, you have the option of turning off HTML in |
| sites like MySpace there are a few rules to observe | | | | your comments or approving all incoming comments. |
| with regards to design. | | | | As a user, however, you would hope many of the |
| A Unique Space | | | | profiles you frequent will allow you the opportunity to |
| Look around the website, and you will see many users | | | | showcase your goods. |
| have taken the time to "pimp" their own spaces. | | | | A tasteful calling card photo of your book or CD |
| Elegant background images, fancy fonts, and large | | | | cover, logo or other identifying image, is a useful |
| images lend an attractiveness to what was otherwise | | | | promotional tool in MySpace. Leaving such a comment |
| a standard template. In using MySpace to promote | | | | as you browse the portal increases visibility of your |
| yourself, however, you want to be sure the design you | | | | brand and product, and may entice new visitors to |
| choose is as professional as it is whimsical, and that it | | | | your site. A word to the wise when commenting in |
| doesn't detract from your book, CD, or services. If you | | | | other spaces: try not to make your greeting sound too |
| do not wish to use a picture of yourself for the default | | | | much like an ad, and do visit friends regularly. The last |
| profile, choose your book or CD cover, or your | | | | thing you want is to gain a reputation for committing |
| business logo if you have one. If you don't have one, | | | | "drive-by promo," where you visit a friend once with |
| now may be a good time to create one, if only to | | | | your ad and never show again. Regular visits to some |
| further emphasize your brand. | | | | spaces, if only to say hello, keeps you visible without |
| MySpace relies upon CSS (cascading style sheet) | | | | being too invasive. |