How to create a Myspace for a business or for networking purposes

Myspace is fun, it’s a great way to meet people, and it’s a wonderful way to network or drum up business. When creating a myspace for a business, restaurant, nightclub, or as a personal networking tool, it is important to remember that EVERYONE can see the site- employers, customers, family members, teachers, old friends, and children. For a profile that is used in this manner, you want to make it easily accessible, simple, and not as personal as a … well, as your personal profile. Remember to keep the two separate. You should NEVER use your personal myspace to network or as a business ad.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• An email account to set up a myspace account
• A Myspace account

1. Go to www.myspace.com Go to www.myspace.com and set up an account (it’s an easy process and self-explanatory).
2. Make sure you have it set so your profile is Go to “Account settings” and click “Privacy.” Make sure your profile is “viewable by everyone” (if this is a personal page, it is best to keep your account on private).
3. Now go to the “Spam” link. Select the following options:
   Message: “Allow non friends to send me messages” (This is important because someone may have a question or a reason to message you, but cannot because of this requirement). Make sure you do NOT have the captcha requirement- it’s annoying and may deter people from sending you a message (which is the point, for a personal account, but you want people to be able to message a business or networking profile!)
   
   Under friend requests: Be sure you do NOT require a last name or email address for a friend request. Someone may know you but may not know your last name or email. This defeats the purpose of a networking/business profile).
   
   Under Comments: People tend to spam business sites (more viewers and the comments are usually on auto-post). Make SURE you check off the option that requires approval for comments. Don’t bother with the captcha, that’s just a waste of time.
4. Keep it simple, keep it PG. Now that you have your account settings configured, it’s time to design your layout. You can go to a website such as www.pimpmyprofile.com and either create your own or use one that’s already done for you. Make sure your background is readable and simple, polka dots, stripes, etc. Don’t let your background and layout take away from the content of your profile.
5. Try http://icanhascheezburger.com/ for some fun pics that aren't controversial. Add descriptions, information, and contact/location information about you or your business. Menus, links to portfolios or resumes, or lists of current/past projects are all applicable. Do not include anything that is controversial or that could be misinterpreted. Stay away from touchy subjects, unless it is directly involved with your networking or your business. For example: This is NOT the place to voice your thoughts about abortion, war, or sex.
6. Add a photo of yourself (if it’s for networking) or one of the business. This is not the place to post photos of yourself that you wouldn’t want your grandmother or neighbor’s child to see. They’re all online and more than you could possible imagine are on myspace. If you profile is public, you can EASILY be found. While we’re talking photos- whether your profile is for a business, a nightclub, a restaurant, or a personal networking tool- NEVER, EVER post pictures with other people without their consent. This is just bad business. If you have any intention of posting a photo to myspace in the future, be sure to tell the people who are posing that it may wind up on a public profile. Even if your photos are only viewable by your friends and/or clients, that could still be hundreds or thousands of people. Not everyone is agreeable to having an image of them on the internet. This could be seen as using a photo without consent and you could even run into legal issues (expecting to be compensated for using their photo for advertisement or being seen in a light they do not wish to be seen in). DO NOT DO IT UNLESS YOU HAVE A SIGNED CONSENT.
7. When people submit add requests, keep in mind who you are accepting. “Girls gone Gaga” or “Bad Boys of Summer” aren’t appropriate for a business site or networking profile. Save it for your private personal profile, if you must. Make sure that comments are of the PG nature. Nothing sexual, violent, controversial, etc. should appear on this site.

Tips & Warnings

• Music, if you add any, should be reflective of your business or your networking goals.
• Most important, just keep reminding yourself that this is NOT a personal profile. Treat it like you would if you were writing your autobiography for your grandmother to read or a company profile that perspective clients will peruse.
• Use bulletins to advertise for upcoming events or make general announcements (be very careful with forwards and surveys!)