Right after I overcame all my objections to joining MySpace, I quickly learned my way around and became a MySpace addict within the first month. And while I’ve been on and off the wagon over the past year, I’m still a MySpace addict.
After about a dozen business owners and internet marketers told me how I just HAD To join Facebook at last month’s WIMME Conference in San Francisco, (World Internet Marketing Main Event) I figured I should at least have a profile, being the New Media expert and all.
So I joined. Despite my busy schedule, between my coaching clients and my addition to MySpace, I somehow pulled myself away long enough to join Facebook this month.
Yep, this early adopter and New Media expert is a late-comer to Facebook, despite knowing about this online social network for years.
Now I just need to decide – which is better? MySpace or Facebook when it comes to networking online for business contacts, joint venture relationships and new clients.
Here’s where YOU come in. Since the jury will be out on MySpace vs. Facebook for at least another few months in order to give both a fair test drive, I thought I’d blog about this question in the beginning stages of my “research� and ask you and all Entrepreneur Magazine readers which network you prefer.
Which social networking community do you prefer spending your time?
MySpace or Facebook?
Oh – and if you haven’t joined either, please do yourself a favor and join both today. Trust me, despite my quest to choose which one I enjoy spending my time on better than the other, they’ve both already proven to be more than valuable when it comes to attracting new clients, furthering the relationship of business contacts and making genuine, forward-thinking new friends.
In the upcoming blog posts this month, we’ll talk about:
- the psychology of Facebook,
- the cult of MySpace
- and we’ll reveal how motivation and influence operate in these two popular online networking communities.
In the meantime… share your thoughts, opinions, expertise on which social network you prefer to spend your time on – MySpace or Facebook.
Tell me WHY you prefer one over the other in the comment link below.
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Deborah Micek is a co-founder of the international business coaching company RPM Success Group ® Inc. She and her partner John Paul are authors of the hit book Secrets Of Online Persuasion. They are creators of the ONLY Web site system to put New Media to work marketing FOR you — BLOG i360â„¢. For media contacts or speaking requests & partnering inquires, contact Deborah at [MotivationMD@gmail.com]. Or, share your thoughts & comments below. |
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19 Responses to “MySpace vs. Facebook? Which one is better?”
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October 17th, 2007 at 5:37 am
About a month ago I joined Facebook and immediately deleted my account.
Last week, I re joined Facebook to give them a fair try as a social network.
I’m a “my space� addict.
Most likely, because I live alone in my house and it’s my main source of social communication with the outside world.
I personally believe that my space is the current “King� of social network for a few reasons.
1) Fox Interactive Media (FIM) acquired MySpace which largely consists of MySpace profits. This is important to note, since FIM would rather re-invest their profits from advertising to improve and expand on MySpace and their options to be more attractive to their consumers and stay ahead of their competition. Compared to other social networking sites, MySpace advertising (especially with movies, television, music, entertainment, etc.) have a strong influence to a target market of adolescence and young adults than other social networking sites.
2) Major artists, models, entertainers, promoters, etc. in music, theater, movies, etc have established a strong presence on my space and strong interactive relationship with their fans.
3) Others have most of their family, relatives, and friends on my space. They would be seriously pressed hard to move them all to another social networking site.
4) Most people rarely have time to maintain more than one social network. Unless, you’re a cyber web 2.0 addict like me.
However, another social networking site is on the rise and has MySpace worried!
So, worried that MySpace blocked their codes to add on their site anywhere!
That’s right!
Yuwie!
But, hey!
That’s in another blog
- Conan
October 17th, 2007 at 9:49 am
Mucho Alooooohaz Conan, my fellow MySpace addict!
Geez - haven’t seen you in any MySpace Anonymous meetings lately. Oooooh crud! Did I just give up your anonymity?! shucks! so sorry! LOL
You raise very good points.
I’m interested in seeing how the current king, MySpace will stay on TOP and for how long. If they keep playing the competitive game, and listen to their fans, they’ll maintain their dominance as far as numbers go.
Key advantage of being FIRST to the marketplace. As you’re seeing evidence of in the blogosphere.
It’s funny when I hear competitors put down all social networking sites… I secretly smile inside while they “show-off” their “knowledge” and know-it-all expertise. And I simply say to myself… gooood - keeeep thinking that way! And I’ll keep attracting fabulous clients who I’m friends with using these sites while you stay in your cave thinking you know everything.
I know, I know - that’s baaaaad. But hey - they know everything! What could a little “girl” teach them about MySpace - right? (wink wink - nudge nudge - say no more?!)
Anyhoo - YOU are a great example of the quality of business people hanging out on MySpace, and why serious business networkers should NOT ignore EITHER social networking site.
Ok - off to Facebook now to find you and add you to my Top friends list!
“Deborah Cole Micek” on Facebook
AKA: The “MotivationMD” on MySpace
October 17th, 2007 at 10:24 am
Facebook. Definitely. It’s easier to use, has more fun apps, runs faster and is much more organized. Plus, I don’t get as much spam on it.
I don’t really use it for business just yet, but for my personal life, I’ve definitely come to rely on Facebook much more than on MySpace to connect with friends.
October 17th, 2007 at 11:37 am
Aloha Francine,
Thanks for your feedback. I’m getting similar answers on the question I posed at Facebook - and the funny thing is… there’s no easy way to do that on MySpace. (Ask a question for all your friends to login and answer… it’s almost the perfect blend between the “friend” factor on MySpace and the “business” factor on older social networks like Ryze and eCademy - except it’s FREE!
btw - now I need to know your Facebook (and MySpace) URL so we “can be friends” (even though we already are in “the real world”! LOL)
NOTE to all those who comment below - be sure to add your URL addy for Facebook and MySpace when you comment…
TX!
Coach Deb
October 17th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
neither. they are both a big waste of time. you may be interested in my thoughtful opinion of grown men using facebook:
http://www.worthlessthoughts.com/2007/07/facebook-friends-no-more/
October 17th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
Ok Kerrin, dude - you are seriously missing out - although you raise good points as far as people confusing what’s “real” with what’s “fantasy” but if you’re using these social networking sites for business purposes, and go at it w/ a strategic plan for the growth of your business and expansion of your brand - you’ll get exactly what you put into it (or NOT put into it in your case.)
I’ve met some phenomenal people through MySpace, who’ve since become “real” friends. Yes, the kind I meet for coffee or attend conferences or cruises with because of a like-minded interest in Blogging, Podcasting and all things New Media.
And comparing it to women scrapbooking?!? Really?! COMON Man!
Now you’re just intentionally trying to elicit a firestorm of commentary from both my male AND female business associates from these sits, because both sexes have gotten more business out of connecting with people on these social networks than they ever would going to an inperson event or sitting around their computer waxing negative commentary on the habits of humans.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:30 pm
Hello Internet/Marketing guru!
Well guess what?
You managed to convince me to try Facebook today because I just signed on for the first time. After browsing through, I tell you….it’s new, fresh and different than Myspace. I agree in a few months from now, I will offer a perspective how it impacted me — either personally or professionally… or both!
BTW, I’m dearly impressed with your work, your relentless style and your cutting edge knowledge with new media marketing. You’re top notch and the best secret weapon Coach!
October 18th, 2007 at 1:27 am
Hey Mark,
Mahalo for the kudos! Your compliments just MADE my day - er night! LOL
I’m happy to be your secret weapon for success. You’re a pleasure to work with.
And CONGRATS for taking action and joining Facebook! Gotta’ luv it when people take action based on what I write. It encourages me to write more!
Well - I guess now I’ll see ya’ over at Facebook in addition to MySpace. Let me go add you to my Top Friends list now.
October 18th, 2007 at 3:08 am
Gidday and Aloha Deb,
Great post. As for me, I was a myspace addict where I couldn’t ‘inject’ myself enough . . . as myspace was well and truly in my veins. All that’s changed now. Approx. 5 months ago a friend invited me to get on facebook and I ignored him even though he still insisted it was the best social networking site. He was raving like a lunatic.
3 weeks ago, after copping one too many smacks between my eyes from my mate about facebook, I bit the bullet and joined and I can’t believe I procrastinated about doing so for so long. For me, it’s facebook first and daylight second as far as web 2.0 and social networking sites go. I am more addicted to facebook than I ever was with myspace.
As a copywriter and speaker, I use facebook to network in a way which is not possible on myspace. I have made some amazing friends and business acquaintances as well as being able to connect with more subscribers and customers in a more personal way than ever before - which builds trust and loyalty.
On top of this, some of the major players in my circles are now friends and ‘we’ are building relationships . . . something NOT possible by just sending an email and NOT possible on myspace.
For example, the group I set up on facebook, ‘Pay It Forward For Entrepreneurs’ (which I’ve invited you to become an officer of) - one person from ‘THE SECRET’ DVD is a member. As of writing this, he has not joined any other group even though he would get bombarded on a daily basis with invites to join other groups.
Without facebook, these types of connections would not occur - PERIOD!
Deb, you and I have been friends for well over 2 years now and we have more contact on facebook than we ever did as myspace addicts - speaks for itself really.
Trevor ‘toecracker’ Crook
PS. My facebook url is: http://profile.to/trevorcrook so feel free to add me!
October 18th, 2007 at 4:25 am
Aloha Trevor,
Thanks for your invitation to become an officer of your group, ‘Pay It Forward For Entrepreneurs’. I checked it out and I accept! (oh great, another thing I’ve got to make time for - LOL)
I see what you mean in re: to connecting with business associates and connecting friends with other friends using Facebook. It’s my favorite feature on Facebook thus far.
There’s nothing quite like being able to easily connect friends and business contacts with one another.
And here we are - 2 oceans apart - and you’re right! We’ve connected more and done more business in the past two weeks using Facebook than in the past 2 years we’ve known each other.
Ok, OKAY! I’m quickly becoming a Facebook addict AND a MySpace addict. Oh no! What’s a girl to DO?!? LOL
October 18th, 2007 at 11:07 am
dmicek,
well thanks for even looking at my worthless thoughts. really i just write that blog to amuse myself and some friends… i do like to see the reaction of others also. as an entrepreneur i think its good not to talk yourself so seriously and most of what i write no there is sarcasm and not serious.
i never thought of facebook from a business perspective… although i still am sceptical of its usefulness. i have tried LinkedIn, which had all the promises you talk about as far as making business contacts but i have yet to see it’s usefulness.
October 18th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
Yah - I figured you just liked getting a rise out of people with your blog. And I agree - taking yourself too seriously is no fun at all! Esp in business.
As for LinkedIn and other social networking sites being used for business purposes… allow me to offer an alternate perspective and shift your frame of reference for where you’re coming from and perhaps… PERHAPS the curtain will begin to fall right before your very eyes…
My business (and life) philosophy has always been:
You GET what you expect and comes from the culmination of what you put IN to something.
In other words…
If you EXPECT people to disappoint you - they will.
If you EXPECT disappointment and failure - you’ll find it.
If you EXPECT something to be all hype - you’ll see it as all hype.
Whereas if you go into a venture with a goal of what positive results you’ll glean from it - you’ll receive positive results - if you work your STRATEGY.
It’s kind of like “word of mouth marketing”. Most people have no idea that PR and word of mouth is actually something that companies strategically go after - with a solid plan behind them.
The companies that are wise enough to have a plan, and then ONLY work that plan while they’re in a social networking site - and do not get distracted by anything else while they’re there - will be the ones who get exactly what they’re looking for.
Of course… the bottom line is… especially when it comes to person to person networking and relationship building - you do have to have an attractive personality… having “IT” as Oprah calls it - does indeed help when attracting new clients and relationships.
So - perhaps it’s not the tool or the avenue that’s not working … it’s the craftman who is using that tool.
Just something to think about.
Because… after all… if we keep doing what we’ve always done and getting the same results… well - then it’s time to explore a new strategy. Agree?
October 20th, 2007 at 8:35 am
My updated venture with facebook.
So far, I have found MySpace easier to manipulate than facebook with html codes and other formats.
Facebook has more of a sharp, clean, professionally organized appearance, where as my space is easy to pimp out all the way and just go crazy!
These social networks are like women…
Some are strictly business oriented (www.ryze.com).
facebook is more of a college student and conservative style, compared to the teenage/High School and party type social network like MySpace and Yuwie.
Then you have the adaptable persona with the multidimensionality personality who gets it and hits on all of these social networks;)
Its all about the social network relationship…
slow and smooth wit facebook…
fast and furious wit my space!
October 20th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
LOL!!!
Great analogy Conan!
You sure have a way with words ~
No wonder you’re so popular on MySpace
October 21st, 2007 at 9:29 am
So, I’m back again with an updated opinion and my continuous education and detail learning between the social networks.
I’m here now to confess that I’m starting to become a faithful facebook follower…
I think I’m just a social network addict!
“Hello! My name is Conan and I’m a MySpace addict”
That much is true and I can clearly admit that addiction.
Honestly, I think its the interesting, intellectual and unique connection with the people on facebook.
I’ve found that MySpace seems more emotional stimulating with jokes, graphic images and videos, entertainment, promotions, etc with only one section above to post blogs. Whereas facebook appears to be more intellectually stimulating with questions, hot question, blogs, hot blogs, etc.
Fortunately for me!
I’m emotional and intellectually connected to my faithful fellow social networking family and friends.
I most likely will end up becoming a “faithful facebook follower” and remain a “MySpace addict”.
Hey!
I want my cake and eat it too!
I’ll keep them both;)
October 24th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
I’m a diehard MySpacer, and after doing some research into Facebook after it’s conception, MySpace wont have to worry about me becoming a Facebook convert.
Facebook has jumped on, and is riding the coat tails of Myspace, without enforcing proper safety measures to protect children. Just last month, Attorney General Cuomo had to threaten to sue the website on consumer fraud charges for failing to deliver on its promise to keep children safe from sexual predators. Just minutes after his team posed as under age children, they were approached in a sexual manner.
Pedophiles aren’t computer illiterate, and when Tom kicked them all off of MySpace, they found an easier target then our children; that being, FaceBook! So, until they protect our children, and respond quickly to reports of abuse and misconduct as MySpace does, you’ll only see me on MySpace!
October 27th, 2007 at 7:59 am
[…] October 17, 2007, New Media Marketing Blog (USA) She asks her readers to tell her which social networking site is better and why. Read Full Article […]
October 30th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
“Your use of our Friend Request feature indicates that you may be in violation of Facebook’s Terms of Use. Continued misuse of Facebook’s features could result in your account being disabled. If you have any questions or concerns, you can visit our FAQ page here.”
wow!
facebook is so strict..
i guess i won’t ignore that warning anymore when requesting friends on facebook….
i thought i see what would happen if i ignored the warning about being blocked…
so, this is the message i got from face book point blank on my screen when i logged in ;*(
live n learn…
sometimes u got to push the limits..
just a little bit ;p haha
enough too see reaction,
but not too much to destroy..
April 30th, 2008 at 4:32 am
For me it is based on how I use each one. MySpace has been my line for family and friends, I do not mix business with them.
On Facebook I interact with all of my IM friends and use it for business while still having loads of fun there. I love seeing the other side of ‘business’ people on FB through all the apps that I use, it brings out the best of both worlds for me.
Of course remember that I don’t have family on FB, that is for networking and building relationships with other marketers.
So which do I think is better? FB outranks MySpace for networking (for me) but MySpace is my family space. Not a wishy-washy answer, just based on facts.