Five mistakes you’re probably making with your MySpace page
I don’t need to tell you to get a MySpace page. You already have one of those. MySpace may not have the best user interface in the world, it may be dreadfully coded and poorly laid out, and it may be owned and operated by the man who’s mentoring Beelzebub himself on business management tactics — but you still have to have one.
After all: you’re in the music biz, and that’s where all the people seem to be. Since you’re there, you might as well use it to your best advantage.
Judging by what I’ve seen from so many bands, labels and other music industry professionals — and going purely by the laws of probability based on my unscientific survey of MySpace music pages, here are some mistakes you’re probably making on MySpace.
1) Using MySpace as your website
This is the worst mistake of all, so I’ve put it at the top of the list. If MySpace is your online presence, you don’t have an online presence. MySpace is for social networking. It is not where you do your business. Have you set up your office at the pub? Use MySpace to interact socially with people, and encourage them to visit your own site where you have control over things like design, content and functionality.2) Using MySpace as your email
One of the great things about MySpace is that you can send private messages to people and they can reply. This is not a replacement for email — and if conversations go beyond more than one reply, you need to take it to real email as soon as possible. The messaging thing is about establishing contact. Once you have a real contact, then treat them like a real human being — not a MySpace arms-length ‘friend’.3) Having an impressive background image
If you have a lovely photo as the background to your MySpace page, one of two things is true. Either: a) I can’t read large sections of your text because it’s the same colour as parts of your lovely photo; or b) I can’t see it properly because it’s behind large sections of your text boxes. It’s nice that you have nice photos. Put them on Flickr. Leave your MySpace background plain so I can focus on who you are and what you have to say to me.4) Embedding lots of media
Your MySpace page is not one of the TV channels. I know how to use YouTube. I have not come here to watch videos. I want to know who you are and what you do, so that I will know whether to (and how to) interact with you. If you represent more than one artist, and they all have a video, then set up subsites on your own website and direct people there. One video per page, preferably. If you must put a video on your MySpace page (Really? Are you sure?) then whatever you do, make sure it doesn’t autoplay the moment I load your page. It’s bad enough I get music playing the second I open your page. Nothing scares the casual visitor away like simultaneous multiple sound sources.5) Writing lots of text
Remember - this is a place to meet people and interact with them. Starting off with a 3,000 word essay’s not the greatest ice-breaker in the world. Be brief. Be engaging. They’re after a quick synopsis — not a complete history. Again, direct them to your website if you feel it’s appropriate to make your entire autobiography known.
Remember: MySpace is a tool. It’s one of many. It’s not your only shot at engaging with your audience or prospective market. It’s an important one though, and it’s one that it’s very easy to make mistakes with. Use it well.
There are plenty of other tips for using MySpace — and other social networking sites too. I’ll have more over the next week.
35 Comments, Comment or Ping
Mikhail Alexandrovich
People on myspace deserve everything they get. Are they flying?
Nov 4th, 2006
Lee Scott
Very useful points some interesting thought provoking stuff!
Lee (MIDAS)
Nov 10th, 2006
Matt @ Kurb NZ
See this is sensible. I was expecting the usual condescending and cynical stuff I’ve got on my site. I’m guilty of forgeting myspace works best as a point of contact.
But a night on myspace beats a night postering out in the rain hands down!
Jun 9th, 2007
John UK
Some good points there, the thing you are saying about having your own website is such a good idea as Myspace have becoming so obsessive over spamming you have to put a code in to communicate with people they encourage you to make friends with… dohhhhhhhhh! John
Jun 18th, 2007
carolyn
I want to change my My space presence from writer to musician.But I started just a regular page afe months back.now whan I try to get a ”artists” page.It wont let me.At least not from my HOME computer it seems.how can i can my page to an artist page with music player etc. thank you
Jun 27th, 2007
J. Space
1. Agree
2. Agree
3. Ehhh. We use a background image as borders, with solid color for reading areas. I’d say I’d agree, if it’s not well-designed.
4. Disagree. Embed your latest video, but make sure it doesn’t autoplay. You invested in the video, don’t bury it. A well-done music video or EPK can sell you WAY more than the songs in your player can. Just don’t drown the viewer in 30 clips.
5. Agree. Leave that for the comments.
Great blog, Dubber. Awesome read…peace
Jul 9th, 2007
christian howes
Speaking as an independent mmusician who has gone through too many web designers and marketing gurus to count, this is all great advice. You’e right on, Dubber.
Aug 20th, 2007
Jamie M
Good points Andrew .. a mate of mine described myspace as
“a one page business card” .. apt I think
Aug 30th, 2007
Boogaloo
Hoe do I change my standard page to an artists (music) Page or do I have to start again and sign up as an artist
Sep 19th, 2007
Dubber
You have to start again. Or, increasingly, don’t bother.
Sep 20th, 2007
n30phyt-r
VampireFreaks.com is a good alternative to Myspace, although it is a little more “dark” and tends to keep most people away. While what you said still holds true, I find there are still too many complications with MySpace (ie - Phishing links and so on.) I’ve never seen anything like that on VF yet.
Just a suggestion.
Sep 23rd, 2007
Dragonfish Killswitch
I disagree somewhat, when I go to someones myspace and they havent modified beyond the simple boring setup template, I have to be very impressed by their actual art to stay there more than a microsecond, imagination is what I look for in any artist no matter what their medium.
Conversely I have to admit that I have added people who had cool profiles and interesting things to say about themselves or the world even if I thought their music was only so-so.
I think its a matter of taste and style, if you dont got those baby you better go find a different racket!!
Word?
Jan 11th, 2008
brian botkiller
I love what you’re saying here; and it’s all things I’ve been telling people for awhile, and making my best move to not fall into myself. I hate it when bands use Myspace as their website; it kind of makes me feel angry. I know we can’t all build a website, but it’s also not hard now to spend a little time and create something outside myspace. I also work to get all my contact’s info off myspace (real email, etc), because I never trust that Myspace will stick around long enough for me to keep in contact with these folks.
Mar 10th, 2008
D.J. Sweeney
What about virb.com
Mar 13th, 2008
Bill
I have to question advising people not to post a vid on their page. A well done video is your best asset to promote you music… post one… don’t auto play it… and link to others…. aside from that, I couldn’t agree more….
Mar 19th, 2008
misty
how do i go about making a mysoace music page?
Mar 19th, 2008
Gypsy
Hello, and Thank You for this insightful article. Your points are very accurate however can you also recommend a great website designer who is not going to overcharge for a decent website. Most of them want $2-3000… Ridiculous!!!
Mar 26th, 2008
rashad
myspace its a great way to interact with other ppl from different parts of the world u can make a great friends while being on myspace its a great way to start off a relationship between someone by similar hobbies and background u never know who u might talk to or meet
Mar 27th, 2008
Matt @ Kurb NZ
They should have listened. All those people who should have been using their myspace to build mailing lists and traction for their own site outside of the ’space.
I was guilty at the time of frothing over myspace, but for those of us early adopters who got as much as we could out of it while they could we did pretty well. I can’t complain.
While the critical mass lasted, myspace changed the way ordinary people find and interact with music online.
I’ve got a new blog post updating users for March 08 on “life after myspace.”
http://tiny.cc/V0Xmf
basically how to approach myspace now that the flame isn’t burning quite so hot anymore.
(haha “brian botkiller” I like that. Myspace may be dead . . . but the bots live on!!! Muahahaha)
Mar 28th, 2008
Natalie Gelman
Great post! Thanks.
Apr 4th, 2008
Rob Shelby
Another mistake of MySpace is using a friend count to gauge how good a band actually is. Friends are solicited and mindlessly accepted.
Apr 4th, 2008
doubleagame
I just don’t see anything wrong with a 5,000+ word bio! Convince me otherwise.Ha! I’ve seen this so many times and know right away NO ONE besides the singer’s sister reads that stuff. Nice relevant article.
Apr 4th, 2008
StarLIT PR
I agree with all these points!!! So many times an artist would like me to check out there page and 15videos are on there (slowing the page down) and at least 3 are on autoplay. How can I hear your music?!?!? Also, for website design…my company starts at $500 (depending on content). Contact me at StarLITpr@gmail.com for a quote!
Apr 9th, 2008
aaron lewis
I think all of these are great points. The profile backdrop templates are the biggest issue. You cant use green text on a green background. It seems all of the templates have this very simple design problem. I would consider myspace to be dead if everyday there wasn’t new comments and friend requests. You might as well ride the wave a little longer.
Peace,
aaron
May 13th, 2008
bob
Agree mostly, well drafted stuff. And yes i HAAAATE it when morons have multi-vid clips and tunes running on their page, half the time it crashes my pc or at least freezes up my browser, plus it sounds like a cats cacophony will all the different sounds overlapping.
however myspace is a great way to interact with friends, other artists, randomers, etc all simulataeously when you want to advertise a gig thru bulletins, or ‘cyber flyers’ as i like to call them.
I wouldnt write off myspace just yet. Certainly for artists. And the likes of bebo and facebook make me ill, especially BEBO, its polluted with self obsessed teens and morons in general who think having an account with a million photos of your nights out is the same as being famous or that the world in general gives a shit.
aiight , peace.
May 25th, 2008
Dez
Myspace is very much alive, thank goodness.
I have ‘discovered’ a number of bands that I may not have otherwise come across. I found my favourite band, Officer Kicks, who are not, as yet, well known on myspace - or perhaps they found me.
They put more effort into their MySpace page than their website, infact like most new bands do. I think that is because this is where their actual fans are and where fans can easily interact with the band. I have tried sending emails to actual fan sites before - never do I receive a response. However, on numerous occaisions I have received replies to my MySpace messages and comments from the band members themselves not just their web manager.
I like to hear their latest song when I visit their space or have an option to play a variety of videos. I do take the point, however, about having several autoplaying all at once; I agree too many sound sources is irritating.
I find nothing wrong with lots of text; if I am interested in their music or their videos, I can choose to read more, or not.
I do take the point about about bad profile design - there are a number that do make that mistake and I do hit the back button if I can’t read what is written or if I can’t actually see where the Add, Message etc links are.
Bands/artists, please, do keep using myspace - it is often the easiest and best way for us fans to keep track of our favourite artists. Those bands, especially newer bands, that don’t use it to the best miss out on a great chance to connect with the very fans that they want to buy their music and to inform them when they are playing live. I rely on MySpace to find out when and where bands are playing.
Is MySpace dead? I think not!
May 26th, 2008
Halfwayquiet
What you are saying is mostly true. I disagree totally with 2 points.
1) Using myspace as your website. Personally I cant be bothered looking at lots of different (often poorly designed) band websites trying to navigate to the content I want to see / hear from a band. I’m looking for Audio and Video - With myspace its all on the front page where I know I can find it easily. I don’t have to go to unnecessary sub pages to get to it.
I can’t even remember the last time I spent more than a few seconds on a bands actual site. It’s all there for me on myspace.
2) Using myspace as your email. How is using ‘real’ email treating people as a real human being? Its still a text based communication conducted over the internet. It is no more or less personal than messaging on myspace. It’s essentially the same thing.
I totally agree with the audio/visual clutter on pages - horrible.
But myspace is by far more convenient to connect with, listen to and interact with bands than having to go to individual band web pages - find what you are looking for and then go to a separate place to get in contact via ‘real email’. Why bother? I don’t and I’m sure most others don’t either.
May 30th, 2008
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