This weekend, I opened MySpace.com and clicked the little link to open a new account. And then I couldn't bring myself to do it. For some reason, that site just bugs me. Perhaps it's because we already have one for The Simple Groove, and we get tons of spam, or perhaps it's just because I don't want to do it because everyone else is doing it. Ha.
I'm curious about this site as far as selling a product goes, especially for jewelry. Does it require a lot of maintenance? Is it something that has to be updated daily? Do you have to consistently add "friends" to get exposure? It seems that actively promoting yourself on there for Etsy-esque type products is significantly different than having a music page. Because honestly, between that and relisting on Etsy, posting photos on Flickr, updating messages and adding friends on Ning (Indiepublic and Everything Skwiggle), and acknowledging and bookmarking on Talent Database, I worry that I won't be able to keep up! My main focus, which supersedes promotional activities at this point, is to make new products and learn new skills. Do I need yet another site that will take up a block of my marketing activities that are carved out on my schedule? Yes--promoting is a ton of work, and I'm prepared to deal with it. But is MySpace really all that it's cracked up to be? I mean, if folks are getting sales from it, why not?
Please let me know your thoughts. I also have a poll
<----- over there.
I'd appreciate your participation and any comments you have.
2.19.2008
Promotional Debate
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14 comments:
My Space...I think I'm just too old to deal with it....all those ads, flashing graphics....just don't care for it
I have MySpace profiles, but I rarely log on. I set up Etsy Mini there, and I'll occasionally head over there to announce something like the beading challenge I organized. But for the most part, I don't think it's a great marketing tool. It doesn't hurt to have a profile, but I personally wouldn't invest a ton of time into it.
I have been tossing around the idea for a my space profile too and finally decided I would at least get the name, so no one else could use it (advice from a group I belong to). So far, that is all I have done. I agree with high desert diva.. I don't like all the flashy graphics... I just want it to look clean!
I'm really not sure. I do all of the things you've listed but to be honest I haven't had a sale since Feb 2 and I've been promoting my tushy off.
ps. I mainly use myspace to keep up with my sisters blog and a few other friends post bulletins and I some time's post bulletins but honestly I don't think I've gotten any sales from it.
From a graphic designer standpoint, MySpace drives me nuts. I can't stand being assaulted by bad design.
From the buyer perspective... there is a lot of fear with the talk of recession. In my own recent shopping patterns i find myself buying what i need but not going any further than that. I'm seeing a lot of beautiful things out there that i would love to have but i can't justify the expense.
~paula
Hi Paula...good to hear from you. :oD
Well, I'm not even a graphic designer, and the design is as far as I'm concerned is like fingernails on a chalkboard. LOL.
Thanks for the Buyer's perspective input...I'm sure other readers will find that helpful.
MySpace is a terrific source of business for me. By far more than any of your other options.
Talent Data base is a joke.
My Blog would be a whole lot better if I updated it more frequently.
I'm just getting started at Facebook so we'll see how it goes.
I have MySpace, but as for helping my business any, not that I can tell! I rarely ever sign in anymore and get tons of spam. It also takes way to long to load in my opinion...to much "stuff".
I belong to lots of places, but I think my blog and flickr help me the most. By far!
I haven't had any of my stuff set up long enough to vote in your poll. Nothing has brought sales yet. I have a Flickr, myspace, and a blog. I agree myspace can be annoying and maintaining too many things can be time consuming when creating is what you really want to spend your time on.
i have most of those and haven't sold anything yet!
I have recently joined Yuwie which is a newer ~pyramid style~ networking site (that actually pays you for the traffic you and your downstream generate!). The advertising is bearable and the folks are quite nice. My page music doesn't auto play but most do so be careful clicking at work!! So far, this is the best exposure I've found on the net! Check me out at http://www.yuwie.com/custommoonlight/ and if you decide to join, there's a referral link on my page. Thank you and good luck to you!!
This is an interesting debate...
I did have a myspace some time back but got fed up with it... I agree... the design's horrible and you get silly add requests and spam. I did get some work out of it tho... I think on the whole it is better for musicians.
Etsy has been great... and since starting my blog I have found that the best - I can make my page exactly how I want and it is hopefully an interesting place to wander... not just a shop.
I am intrigued by all these other sites you mention.. and may well head over there to try them out... not keen on the idea of facebook tho after reading articles about it being a purely information gathering tool run by scary behind the scenes type fat cats :)
I have found talant database and trunkt pretty dead.
I have to say that I am always so pleased to find that there are people who like my work and want to buy it. That is the wonderful thing about the internet for self employed creative struggling artists...
Righto... essay over :)
Rima
Well folks, the poll is over and all comments are in...it turns out that the poll itself showed Blogs as the #1 resource for getting sales, directly followed by MySpace. However, given what people posted here, as well as in the Forum thread I started, I'm giving MySpace the thumbs down.
Thanks to all of you who provided your input, I really appreciate it!
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