In recent days, I’ve read some interesting stats about MySpace. Here’s the story that generated the conversation. Among other things, the story indicates that "The MySpace user base is changing. Some 87 percent of users today are 18 or older; 52 percent are 35 or older." That’s startling to me because that suggests that MySpace isn’t a young adult thing. The majority of users are my age and older.
So, that being the case, I need some help. I’m not a MySpace user…yet. Can you all explain to me how having a MySpace presence is different than having a blog? Help me stay relevant. I think I’m becoming an old person, and I don’t like it.
It’s different because the main focus of a MySpace page is networking. Yes, they have blog functionality, but it sucks. What’s more interesting is adding friends and connecting people.
You’ll probably find MySpace to be pretty infuriating when you first get on. As a longtime blogger that was my experience. But once I played around with it for a while and realized what it was good for it’s not so frustrating.
Just as Kevin said, MySpace is about the networking. For some, it is a good way to keep in touch with old friends. While thousands of pastors are also using it to network with other pastors and to continue being in contact with their congregation throughout the week. However, Facebook just recently opened membership to anyone which offers a much more controlled environment than MySpace.
Dude, MySpace is crazy… you so have to get on there just for the sake of networking. It’s much more interactive than a blog… although, as Kevin said, the blogging feature in myspace sucks… I dont use it for a blog at all, just to connect with my friends.
I have met a lot of fellow musicians and songwriters in my town because of myspace–all younger. It really is a young adult phenom, but a lot of parents, teachers and others who want to interact with their world are getting on it…for good or bad.
For me, I would have never connected to so many young adults had I not had one.
Difference…where blogging is narcissism 101, this is grad-level navel gazing.
Great topic. I have a blogger address (www.aarondewinter.blogspot.com) and a myspace address (www.myspace.com/aarondewinter). I use the blog to write what is going on in my world. I use myspace to stay in contact with my musician friends and network with new music and musicians. Both are great, but entirely different. you can blog on myspace, but I tend to only write about things pertaining to music.
I asked Kem about the differences after the blogging breakout session last week. She said “that’s an entirely different issue”. The point is she seemed familiar with MySpace. I would like to learn the differences also.
Tony,
Like all these peeps said, Myspace is an excellent networking deal. I have caught up with tons of people that I went to college with and know from across the country. I started a Myspace for the church as well, its been interesting inviting people to be friends on that end…many different responses.
Check it out…www.myspace.com/journeyrochester
You might also find it interesting that many churches are blocking access to myspace inside their facility. Ask Terry Storch about it :-)
AS a mom who stays up on MySpace to keep track of what my kids and their friends are up to…I see it as blogging PLUS. More visual more audio. Blog implies words words words. MySpace means just that; my music, my videos, more of ME coming through this digital picture.
old friends & bands. that’s about all i use myspace for. i used my maiden name for the search feature and have connected with a heck of a lot of old high school friends or just old friends. i knew a guy in austrailia when i was like 18 and haven’t talked to him for maybe 5 or 6 years, and he found me the other day. fun times.
http://myspace.com/flowerdust
Tony,
Check out http://www.mychurch.org This might be the new up and coming myspace for church people.