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I don't know how to say this without offending MySpace users. I cancelled my account. They have become increasingly annoying with "Junk" ads and other crap on my home page. I got a "friend" request today from a nice girl who described my music in her message, so I know that she listened. I tried to approve her, but deleted the MySpace e-mail first and then went to my home page to approve her. I couldn't find her request anywhere. Nothing but junk.
MySpace has never been in my best interest, and I joined because other JPF members did. I know what you're gonna' say.
I always thought that some imaginary friend named "Tom" floating around was kind of weird, and this kind of stuff was never my "cup of tea" so after almost a year as a member, I'm giving it up. I'll stay with Grassroots promotion and forget about the pipe dream that MySpace has become in my opinion.
There are plenty of "Grassroots" avenues like JPF, my own website and plenty of blogs to get my music and words out without all of the hype and BS. It's way overcrowded for me.
Thanks to all of the JPF "Friends" that I had on MySpace.
If anyone would like to chime in about their experiences with MySpace good or bad , please feel free to do so. Everyone is different and I never felt comfortable with them from the beginning. Ben

P.S. CDBaby just notified me that I sold another CD while writing this post.

That's cool Ben...

The whole thing is pretty immature overall but as long as it can't hurt you it's not so bad. First off it's geared towards teens and they use it to communicate as they do there cell phones and blueberries and what have you. It's really a "there generation thing"

It's like you "have to have a my space page" kinda mentality.
Bands & artists use it to reach there fans, and to hopefully get new ones. People use it like a dating service, Others just because it's the "In Thing" and they want to fit socially. Some are just lonely, I can understand all the reasons.

What I will say for sure that is GOOD about it is :

1- I have found people and people have found me that I completely lost touch with personally but also PROFESSIONALLY...
With lost & changed phone numbers and re-locating etc... NO WAY was I gonna be in touch with them. My Space provided that just by existing.

2- Again certain connections... I did work on a film as did another composer. he liked my work but did not know me or my info. He contacted me through My Space to give me a lead on a TV related project.

3- Tripps Custom figures of actors & musicians found there way into the actor or musicians home because of My Space.

It's just another source..... I find that it has done more good than bad for me even though I don't think it's the end all lol... And wouldn't miss it greatly if it folded. But then again as much as I LOVE the internet I have no problem going back to the "hard way" or the "old days" The only thing I'd miss is you fine people!

Thanks Mike, I think that your first paragraph summed up what I think, but like I said, I gave it almost a year and it didn't work out for me. I really got angry today when I couldn't let a potential fan in today. That was it. The fan and/or customer comes first. When MySpace hinders that, it's time to say goodbye. Ben

I don't pay a lot of attention to MySpace. Yes, I have a "page"--my daughter insisted on it--and a few songs, and a hundred-odd "friends." Tried to delete one recently--some chick who kept spamming me (and probably hundreds of other people) with volumes of teenaged angst c**p--but she's still there. She may be like the mythical "Tom"--one of the MySpace Undead.

I find MySpace useful for one reason only. I know about half a xozen people--including my own daughter--who don't return phone calls, and don't answer e-mails, but DO respond to MySpace messages (I know not why). So if I have to reach them, I'll use MySpace, because that works and nothing else does. As long as I don't have to do any work to maintain my "page," it's fine.

I did run into one publisher in Nashville a couple of years ago who appeared marginally interested in my material (best reaction I've had from anybody official in Nashville)--but she didn't want a CD, and she didn't want me to send her anything. She just asked, "You got a MySpace?" Yes. "Fine. I'll check it out." (Of course, I never did hear back from her--which is the Standard Nashville Reaction I'm used to.)

So I'll hang onto it, and I'll check it daily, just like I check e-mail. But a useful tool it probably is not.

Joe

Great points one and all. Remember though, there's another reason to be on myspace IF it's applicable to your situation.

Myspace (and many other social networking sites) can help improve the search engine ranking of your main website, especially if you learn to leverage the power of blogs & the power of building a mailing list.

The same goes for Youtube, which is an excellent way to drive traffic to your main website and increase its search engine ranking.

I have a my space page. I don't seem to get all the junk and ads that people complain about.
I have never had a problem adding a friend or anything else.
I never put much stock in it as a marketing tool but after I went to the second workshop in Nashville and was told by the second person who is successful in the biz. (The first a publisher with several number ones the second a Staff writer with several number ones.)
get a Myspace page and put your best songs there. Publishers DO go there and they DO scout writers and songs.
So I'll keep mine for the time being.
ANY exposure as a song writer is better than no exposure.

I look at MySpace as just another networking tool.

But if it is not working for you then you are probably doing the right thing.
I think we all have different goals and there is more than one way to get there.

Thanks Phil, yes MySpace does do all of that. But there are other ways of getting page rank, for instance JPF. I had page rank well before I was affiliated with MySpace ,and if I lose Google Juice then so be it. My personal blog network is building. I never relied on MySpace for links and didn't join for that reason as I didn't join JPF for the same reason. I didn't know what a blog was when I joined JPF. That came later, but JPF soon became a great resource for back links. Music is my priority and MySpace does not meet my needs. I would rather give up the "Google Juice" then put up with their junk. Ben

Myspace has done a lot of good for me. I have made a ton of major connections through myspace just by having a page and I have done work with people from all over the world by having it.

Hi, Ben,

I have had some similar headaches with MySpace...While I do believe that the internet and sites like MySpace can be very useful tools in tody's music business, I am actually MUCH happier with my Facebook account and the way it works. It's got less hassles and is very user friendly...just my thoughts...

Emily

Ben:

Thanks for your input about some of the negatives (and positives) about MySpace. I have avoided it like the plague because of the problems it has endured with "predators." Too many teens are eager to trust (anyone but their parents) and get into serious trouble via this social networking avenue.

I've noticed that most of the free showcase sites (including ASCAP's new one) use similar models. I never delude myself that because someone may like a song... they are my "friend." To my way of thinking... friendship must be earned... and usually requires a significant investment of time and trial and sometimes disappointment.

We have probably not seen the final configuration or model of a site for showcasing music that works for both, artists and listeners. Let's hope it happens soon and will be safe for the naive among us.

http://www.showcaseyourmusic.com/DaveRice

That's good Greg. It works for some people but not for others.
My music is more of a niche and not suited for mainstream, so when I lose one potential fan I get upset. That was the last straw. It may have been my fault, I don't know. As someone said, they are not user friendly. I don't need the excess fluff. Ben

I think too many have a goal of having as many "friends" as possible and automatically approve everyone. I don't. I screen every one who sends a friend request and frankly, if they are not involved in music in some way, or are a known factor, I do not approve them. That keeps out the scams and the spam so many seem to have.
That said, I do not spend much time there, checking in, updating & etc. What's there is there and I only occasionally make changes.
I'm also involved in a couple of other sites, Facebook, LinkedIn and Path Connect for networking.

Like Dak, I don't approve a friend request unless it's music related. Or, family or friends from work.I do get requests from promoters sometimes. I take them on a case by case basis. But I screen all requests.

It's been a good way to promote our music. The best part is local bands that like our sound have contacted us to share gigs. It's also a good recruiting tool when looking for players.

What's irksome is going to a site filled with so much code the things take forever to load. I might keep them as a friend but don't waste time visiting their pages.

Very true - less code, more tunes!

Dan