As business owners we know that it’s important to get to know others, both suppliers and potential customers are on the need to know list. We go to functions, do mail outs and other marketing activities, join business clubs and go to early morning breakfasts to network and listen to others speak. It’s time consuming and can take up massive amounts of an already overloaded day, leaving us on occasion feeling a little bit dull and uninspired toward what we do as we don’t always feel that we are getting the true benefits of the time that we are spending on this activity.

A craze that is picking up a lot of steam is V-Networking or Virtual Networking, that is; using the Internet to get to meet new people who might be interested in using our products or services, or simply getting to know us better. One site that has been quite instrumental in achieving this is MySpace (http://www.myspace.com). Set up in the United States by Tom Anderson and Chris DeWolfe, the site is now making overtures to the Australian marketplace.

Well that’s well and good I hear you say, but what is the point?

MySpace is about making friends. You set up a page about you or your business on the site (it is free), this is called a profile. Others can view this public profile (let’s call it advertisement in our case!) and if they like your message, they will ask to become your “friend”. Over time most users will get a lot of friends on their lists for one reason or another and this is when MySpace really shines.

You see, by allowing others to become your “friends”, and you becoming theirs, you now have permission to hit those people with bulletins and news items. There is a control panel built into your profile that allows you to post bulletins and news about anything you like. The titles to these posts will allow all your friends to see them and if you make up a compelling enough title, you are sure to get some readers. In essence it’s free advertising to a group of people who have already shown an interest in what you have to say by checking out your profile and either asking to be your friend, or approving your friend request to them. Always the best group of people to market to are the ones who are already warm to your message!

Although it does make reference to Australia and contains Australian advertising, the site is still hosted in the United States and you should be aware that the privacy laws that bind this site are still under the govern of the USA. It really doesn’t make much difference, but is a point worth making.

I would say that currently MySpace is definitely aimed at youth culture and for business to take a fun look at networking within it. There are many businesses that run almost exclusively from MySpace and the worldwide exposure that it gives them. It has been a launching point for many bands, with the ability to listen to tracks or download music for free legally.
Have a look at MySpace and do some searching on there. There is a good chance that you will find a group that suits your own interests, whether they are personal or business related, see what others have to say and get networking! You might just be surprised at who you make friends with!

Till next time,

Tory

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