I've been trying to use MySpace more since we talked about this at Little Switzerland & MikeZ started this excellent thread. What I'm finding is that my crowd doesn't use MySpace, so I can't reach them at all through this service. I reach new folks though - mostly younger than my usual crowd.

I'm still working on it.

Tom

Hey Tom....I'm no expert on myspace but I had simlar problems when I started my band page last year.

I just typed in "TOM MUNCH" MYSPACE into google and couldn't get your site.

I was so frustrated with similar results that I finally walked away from mypace. Lo and behold, I noticed six months later that it started to show up in google. Not sure why. Maybe it's tied into the "friends" feature, which I never spent much time with.

If you figure it all out, lemme know...

JD

We have a regular website and a MySpace profile too.

The mainstream website is more comprehensive - covering more about our background, gear, songs (lyrics, more sound files), venues, feedback, contact details etc.

Many non-professional performers and many folk clubs in the UK have MySpace as their primary web presence - it's free - and we've found, and been found by, many interesting contacts which have led to gigs.

Our music is also featured on a few MySpace pages of our friends, so we do get more exposure that way.

Some people look down on MySpace as second rate or childish, and pan it for all the adverts etc - but, it's used by a different (often younger) crowd than the mainstream web content... so, it definitely does have its place.

We do have members from this forum as MySpace friends, and would happily have more ;>

I think if you can only have one site the investment in the web site is a better way to go. No matter what you do all myspace pages basically look alike and a web site can be more personal and. I think myspace is great for the social networking ect. A web site allows a more in-depth look at your ability’s. I am like Tom and many others in the sense that I do multiple things, solo, band, recording on and on. That is easier for me to promote on a web page then myspace. That all said there is no reason not to have both, and even a look at facebook which is a strong contender, especially when they are free. Any way possible to reach a client or possible new fan should be explored. I am not yet convinced that myspace will get me a gig but I am working on a page. There is nothing to lose.

See mine for something different.

Gordon,

It might be because I'm using Firefox, but your site has objects bleeding off to the left & right off the screen & I can't read the text against the background (probably old eyes). You've spent some time on it, & there is some good information there.

Tom

Hey Gordy - It still has the basic feel of a myspace page. My other problem I have with myspace is the vast amount of information that can be on one page. For a client (bride, corporate, or back yard party) I think they want to get to the point and not scroll down what can be a very large page to find what they want,song list, audio samples, bio, etc. I never get the feeling that myspace is neat and tidy. I find myself searching up, down left, and right trying to find what I am looking for. I am not saying my web site is perfect. I think anyone with a web site is constantly re-designing it for the look they want. Just my 7 cents worth. Roy

Here is an example of a really nice Myspace, one of my favorite bands.
It has a really cool *splash screen*.
After that, you scroll down and everything is totally traditional in it's layout.
Everything is where it should be, easy to find, and easy read. Love it!

I liked that page. Very clean and neat. I might have use this as a starting point. Plus a great name for a band. Thanks

Tub Ring are really good guys too. I took my daughter to see them a few years back, and had unknowingly parked in a tow-away zone. After the show, I was surprised by my car being gone and went back into the venue to make calls and find out how to retrieve it. The cost to get it back was $150, which I didn't have, so the guys in the band, whom I had never met loaned me the money to get my car back. So now I buy all their records...quirky fun.