118 Comments

• At 2007.01.15 01:00, April Dennis said:
  

  Thanks for the info Eric!
  I have 2 free ebooks with myspace marketing tactics!

  Myspace Profiles for Profit! See how its done!
  Click Here!

  Free Myspace Butterfly Viral PLR!
  Click Here!
  Thanks
  April

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 01:00, Kurt said:
  

  Eric,

  It’s about time someone takes a stand like yours. I applaud you. I have received at least 4 emails today about a new Myspace software program that makes you big bucks! Yeah right. I think I will pass on that one and keep making my living the honest way. Great post.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 01:06, Diane said:
  

  Hi Eric

  Thank you thank you thank you!

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• At 2007.01.15 01:07, Frank said:
  

  Thanks Eric,
  A timely warning for those who “rush where angels fear to tread”
  The annoying result is that as soon as someone produces a “course” every “guru” emails their list, praising the “course” and promising the thousands you can make from it, without doing as you did. “Investigating before Instigating”
  I have developed the habit of ignoring “new wonders” until I can check it out. When I start to get dozens of emails about the same thing, I simply delete without reading. Internet Marketing is not what it’s meant to be and sadly, the genuine benefits it does offer are being eroded by those who are out to make their millions at any cost (as long as it’s someone elses cost)

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 01:09, Deborah said:
  

  Great post, Eric.

  I dont’ find the ads offensive, but I do agree with your points. I’ve avoided signing up for MySpace because I’ve felt for awhile that this craze is going to backfire on folks.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 01:15, flwong said:
  

  Hi Eric,

  Happy New Year to you and your family.

  As I said, you are always a honest IM Marketer that i am always admire and salute.

  You always give your great comments and review on anything that benefit all of us.

  For MySpace i do have an account there but not really into such in-depth on that.

  Thanks for your time effort that keep us inform on all the IM news.

  cheers,
  flwong

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 01:19, Debbie said:
  

  Eric
  Thank you for posting this information! I can’t believe the levels some marketers will stoop to to make a sale.
  This is just the type of information our members need. Playing by the rules is very important. We have our story posted on our page at http://www.themarketingeducator.com about a SEO company that didn’t play by the rules. Now we have so called respected marketers out there promoting ways to use MySpace as a marketing tool. What next?
  The software for this new marketing tactic is already coming out of the woodwork. It’s supposed to help you make multiple MySpace accounts and get more friends. I think I the price tag was over $200.00 - ouch! Need to warn people about that one.
  I guess the best defense is a great offense and for people new to marketing that means education!
  Knowledge is the first step to success.
  Keep posting this type of information - we need more people like you who “tell it like it is”!

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 01:20, David Jaeger said:
  

  Hi Eric,

  Thanks for the tip. What you are saying is that Myspace’s TOS and actions are not very indicative of their friendliness to the people who populate it’s pages.

  In spite of that, I would not be against using it for marketing, as I don’t believe that any of the “myspace codes” companies etc. are there for altruistic reasons, so if we act like nice little boys, we could still take advantage of it, until they wake up one day, and decide to use their rights.

  Basically, there is no company involved with myspace services that comes clean, and myspace is just arbitrarily blocking companies services .

  I think that if it is really worth marketers time to market on myspace semi ethically, even though it is blatantly against the TOS, go ahead and do it.

  What I mean by semi ethically, is that if they can take the couple of extra seconds to make sure that they are not targeting those people absolutely uninterested in marketing online, and making sure that their profiles and data enhance the “overall atmosphere” of myspace.

  Now to be honest, I don’t know what that line is, and I’m sure that myspace and me have very different definitions of that. I also am not convinced that myspace marketing is a go for internet marketers. It definitely is a go for bars, clubs, and artists etc. but I don’t if it would work for us internet marketers.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 01:25, Ken said:
  

  Hi Eric,

  Thanks for the post! Nothing like the misinformation that others will try to profit from. I had just tonight decided to take a shot at using MySpace to drive some traffic to my link, a suggestion from a well known marketer. I have found out that a well known name does not guarantee you can trust them, once again.

  When I sign up for any site, I usually read at least the TOS but I don’t know that I would have picked up and made all the connections like you did. Your help is deeply appreciated.

  Thanks
  Ken

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 01:29, bev said:
  

  Eric thanks again for such an indepth report on myspace and how people are totally ignoring the TOS, maybe next you can do the same with squidoo.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 01:42, Mike Scoglietti said:
  

  Hi Eric,
  This is the 2nd Wise statement from you in as many weeks. I wouldn’t trade your newsletter for any of the top 10 gurus, for all the tea in China. LOL, I guess I’m dating myself!
  Thanks for the Info.

  Mike
  Video Newsletters Online

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 01:58, Frank Sousa said:
  

  Great Post Eric… thanks for your carefully thought out info. While we do find that posting videos to myspace is very helpful, we leave it alone otherwise just for the reasons you state. I shudder to think about my grandkids visiting that place in a few years as they get just a little bit older…. there’s a lot of TRASH there.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 02:00, Rachel said:
  

  Hello Eric,

  I was sent out to a sales letter and received several autoresponder emails about all of the white and shady methods Internet marketers can fly under the radar and use to buy myspace profiles, myspace friends, etc. In case others may not realize it myspace charges a hefty price for advertising and these folks are teaching others the ways to get around it. I was really appalled by the way they were going after the bucks of “friends” out there…so much so that I simply had to write to the perpetrators of these suggestions, as I envisioned people selling their friends down the river to make money off of them…very sleazy. I was told you don’t do it to your “real friends”, just other people’s friends. This may be why you see so many internet marketers with profiles on myspace and there is a myriad of marketers being trained how to create hundreds of profiles and make them look good with fancy templates as bait. I was told that it is not for everyone…I’ll say, as I opted out….tricky tricky.

  I agree with your comments about suggestive images being offensive…not to mention that it is insulting to men to use pictures of scantily clad women as a marketing ploy to get their money…sadly most guys will fall for it. The pictures you showed are part and parcel of the way women dress and are viewed in our society today as superficial sex objects for usery and eye candy voyeurism. Oddly, the women walking around have buckled under the pressure of the competition of all the other women who are exposing themselves to garner the mens’ attention instead of them if they dress with any class or decency at all. C’mon ladies, show some self worth. In regards to a married people looking at these images some seriously believe there is no difference between that and adultery, regardless of how many people are doing it. I find it worse that these images and videos are also readily available to children on sites like youtube.

  I washed my hands of the whole myspace thingy and will not even create a profile out there. I am really turned off at the thought of being my friend’s lead or selling my friend’s name ( this brings a whole new meaning to friendship) and the Internet marketers that are preying upon this social network like shooting fish in a barrel are reprehensible.

  Sincerely,
  Rachel Rounsifer, Ph.D.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 02:00, Donna said:
  

  Hi, Eric,

  Guess you need to be a sixty year old woman not to have those awful nudies on your home page when you sign in. You got me to thinking, and so I went there to see, and there was nothing offensive on the page (at least today). I fully expect them to delete me if they monitor closely, as I just today added a plea to my profile to sign up at bigdaddyfriends.com/Donna and it’s sort of an up-and-coming competition website but I don’t think the owners at BDF will ever allow the nudity that myspc does. (IF they do, I’ll be deleting my profile and stop recommending them.)

  Thanks for the eye-opening report, as most of us don’t take the time to read every long, drawn-out diatribe of a TOS such as they have on their site. People really should read them and submission guidelines and such, though, and the reason is that I just got an email tonight from a distraught article author because someone had scraped their article from their jewelry site and slapped it in my article directory with their own name and website in the bio box. It makes for a lot of extra work tracking it all down, BTW…. I’m still not sure why I ever started that durn thing, it’s tons of work and nets me about $5/month in adsense - honestly! What a freaking joke! But the worst part is the pain and suffering the originator of the article suffers… PLUS they lose their link popularity too.

  Have a great week, Eric!

  Donna

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 02:01, Russell said:
  

  I’ve been critical of you in the past when it comes to the incestuous way you guru’s all promote each others crap, however I agree with you on this one Eric.

  I’ve resisted the temptation to open a myspace site/page, however I’m not averse to spamming CraigsList… heheheee. Man there’s some serious free traffic coming from there.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 02:02, Mo Conley said:
  

  Hi Eric,

  I always make sure to read your blog posts because I like the no B.S. attitude you take.

  In regards, to the whole Myspace topic…

  I remember the first email I got that said that I could make tons of money on the internet, but only if I just had this one product. All the promises of getting the same result if I followed these exact steps.

  Total and utter bull @#%%!

  In reality, it really boils down to the person. Everyone is different, that is what makes us individuals. What worked for you may not work for me. The drive and motivation that you have I may not have. So on and so forth!

  Ultimately everyone’s path is going to be different. Using this new technique and that new tool is what is holding alot of people back from the success that they were promised when they originally started this whole internet marketing endeavor.

  As Tellman says, they have IM ADD. You get caught up in the next biggest fad and neglect the real way to success. HARD WORK!

  I am not going to write a huge long 6 page comment but here is a quick story…

  When I was in college, my calculus instructor forbade the use of calculators. Why?

  Because he had this thought that if we as students understood how to find the answers to the mathematical equations the long way then we would appreciate the quick (read: calculators) way!

  I really think this same thing holds true on the internet. I feel that if people can understand and use the basics of marketing on the internet, more people would appreciate and experience the answer (success)!

  Stop falling for the quick way and concentrate on the right way! And do your homework!

  Did I ramble? Just a little miffed at all the empty promises!

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 02:19, Shabbir said:
  

  Hi Eric

  Thanks for your info. I also have hit by numerous emails about Myspace and setup an account but also didn’t get to update profile, pic’s, find friends etc. - no time!

  Now, with this info, I don’t think I’ll even bother. I think it’s just another thing to get your mind off the Big Picture, I’d rather concentrate on building what I have honestly.

  Thank you

  Shabbir

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 02:20, M said:
  

  Yet again you prove why yours is one of the remaining newsletters I continue to subscribe to!!

  Excellent points! Ethics and honesty are the only ways to maintain true success.

  Thanks Eric - you’re the “cat’s ass”

  M

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 02:21, barn said:
  

  Eric,
  I’m a bit surprised this was necessary, but I see by the replies that it was. After reading the TOS at MySpace, nothing you’ve said has been a surprise … I looked at that almost two years ago, when my adopted daughter got involved with the site … she asked me if she could do a mini-auction there in her space. After reading the TOS, my answer was an emphatic, “No!”

  Mr. Jaeger might be a bit confused, though. He apparently endorses, advocates, & encourages violation of the TOS.

  Mr. Jaeger, there is no such thing as ’semi-ethical’. Ethics is like pregnancy … it either is or is not - it is on or off … there is _no_ middle ground.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 02:51, Chris said:
  

  Looks like I will not be buying that $200+ software.

  Read your P.S. from the email. Last week my niece got married. My wife became the hairstylist for both bride and groom. My daughter served food and drinks from 11am to 10pm! Parties tend to last for many hours out here…sometimes, days. My son was incharge of music; that meant, brass gongs (for cultural music….very ancient sounds) and rock band (I paid for this one). I was not with the merrymakers that day though; I had earlier been dispatched to Seam Reap, Cambodia to buy diamonds……which would have costed 10 times more where I come from (Angkor Wat at Seam Reap is really an incredible sight).

  Sorry for digressing.

  And thanks for the tip.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 02:59, Shannon said:
  

  Hi Eric,
  I have never left anything on a blog before, but I thought this was worth it. I too have a MySpace acount (Just so we can check up on what are kids and Nephew is doing). The only thing on my profile is that I am a married Female. I recieve numerous emails from MySpace asking me to join in a conversation and if you click on the line there is a almost naked female. What? Can they not read? I am a Female and very happly married. I do not whant my kids to see this stuff either. If they where going to have questionable stuff like that then they should make it just for adults, (and they should also get there gender correct).
  As you said I too have seen the numerus adds for there datting, even on my teenagers site. I am just happy that he as well wishes that they where not they, (He has more respect for women than that). He has even gone as far as to say that they are promoting prostitution, (in his opinon). Thank you for letting me vent as well. I do enjoy your Blog (when I get a chance to read it). Also thank you for not pulling any punches on this subject.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 03:02, Marte said:
  

  Hi Eric,
  I’ve never been to myspace, or youtube either, but after what I’ve been reading in the newspaper I have to wonder why anyone would use them. The latest is people being fired, kids getting in hot water with teachers and/or parents, friends losing friends, etc. - all because they posted their personal information, unflattering opinions, private thoughts, and silly escapades one of these sites.

  The funny part is, these same people are outraged that their privacy has been invaded because other people read what they wrote.

  Now how dumb is that?

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 03:11, Peter said:
  

  Hi Eric,

  I am glad…very glad that there is at least one marketer who is able to call a spade a spade. I have had held off exploiting MYSpace as a venue for internet marketing in a way that does not follow rules, and where deception is the order of the day where internet marketers uses false profiles, and software that churn out hundreds of profiles within hours of non-existent persons.

  It’s kinda hard to have this stand, or to not jump on the bandwagon, but it is important to know that there must be some semblance of rule and order, and to keep out of the mess where greed and exploitation is rearing their ugly heads.

  If there is one last ethical marketer, it will have to be the one who says he will not condone or practise deception in his marketing, and actually *REALLY* doesn’t join in.

  Thanks for showing us, not without evidence, but with reference to the TOS and rules. Well done, and well said.

  Peter

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 03:12, Keith Wellman said:
  

  Eric,
  While I neither condone or dissaprove of using myspace as a marketing tool (due to not investigating deeply enough into the matter) I will point you in the direction of a very large company that is doing so…

  Fox for example…
  http://creative.myspace.com/VOD/prison_break/index.html

  Oh and their not the only one. In fact hundreds of LARGE corporations are using MySpace as a marketing tool and doing so very boldly.

  Just something more to ponder.

  Keith
  P.S. And while those pics you saw may be offensive to someone, I don’t think even my grandma would be offended…if you watch tv at all you’ll notice plenty of healthy looking woman on there everyday in all their glory Nothing to be ashamed of…the body is a beautiful thing….marketing those ads to married men…that may be questionable but heck thousands of married couples in our society are happy swingers

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 03:18, Michael Rytter said:
  

  I’ve been making a full time living on the internet for 5 years now. Without Myspace. And without spamming anybody! (My most trafficked website gets, on average, about 10 unique visitors a day!) (O.K…..Quit laughing!…Could YOU make a full time living with a site that gets 10 visitors a day? I thought not! Of course, there is more to it than that, but, not here….)

  Of course I’ve heard all about it, (who hasn’t?), but truthfully, I have never even visited Myspace. It just doesn’t appeal to me personally. The whole idea of Myspace seems very superficial, plastic even, in the first place…..

  And “friends”?……I usually have to get know someone fairly well before I even think of them as “friend”, so Myspace really doesn’t work for me. As well, my thought is that the Myspace phenomenon has really cheapened that word. That bothers me. Probably more than anything mentioned in the posts above.
  Regards,
  Michael Rytter

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 03:21, Kevin Ervin said:
  

  Hi Eric:

  Very good article today.

  I find it refreshing to read your “Eric’s Tips” newsletter and blog.

  I think you did a great job explaining the ins and outs of the MySpace TOS. And like most people with a conscience I would have a hard time promoting MySpace–to my friends, family, or business associates–as a place to earn big money.

  I am new to the IM game and still in the process of determining which direction to travel down the information highway. I got my feet wet the middle of last November when I subscribed to Mark Hendrick’s 12 Days of Christmas.

  It didn’t take long to figure out that a person must shop around to find good quality help. Of the 40+ newsletters, websites, and other things I have signed up for yours is hands down the best. I started getting “Eric’s Tips” on December 26th and it is the only thing that I read every word of.

  The only thing I know for sure at this time is “Eric’s Tips” will be the only one I don’t unsubscribe from.

  Thank you for the “valuable content” without the constant sales pitch.

  Sincerely,
  Kevin Ervin

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 03:25, Valentin H. said:
  

  Well , well …

  Hm, let`s start with the start line ..

  Happy New Year, Eric, to Yopu and Your family.
  Happy New Year to all others who read Your letters and/or this blog.

  Second : I appologies for my wretched english, all I learned was by myself and odds are I was not a good teacher nor a eminent student

  Now, the … MySpace.

  I have a life sentence : Do not bo with a big size bag to get apples from the most famous apple tree.
  (totally inacurate translation, but I hope is enough to the MEANING of this proverb)

  Most of the people I know they use regulate the web, they joined MySpace, after they previously “killed” me with yahoo, google and several other “virtual personal space”.

  There for, Eric, I have read this article with satisfaction of one who see is not the only “blue” in a “all is red” world.
  But more : this today 15 jan 2007 I had the chance to be twice in position of “Jeee, there are more blueface outthere, not just me …”. I wont say it here what is, while that may end as an “commercial” for ones …

  Anyway, THANK YOU, Eric for GREAT LETTERS.

  ps : nice You did not forget to let us know about sis wedding .. You, DJ ? hmmm … need a job ? :-))))

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 03:28, JW C. said:
  

  Great tip Eric!
  I wish I had gotten Eric’s advice sooner! After buying a MySpace marketing program, I realized what they were doing was deceptive and never was able to use the program.
  I appreciate Eric’s truthfulness and morality.. Keep up the great work!

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 03:30, Sunny Martin said:
  

  Hi There

  Didnt The Arctic Monkeys’ career take off due to their publicity through their Myspace page? I guess they didnt want to earn any money from their music and were doing it as a hobby? I mean - I dont suppose it could have occurred to them they might have people wanting to buy their albums after hearing them on Myspace.

  I wonder if Myspace.com got round to prosecuting them?

  Btw - thanks for reminding me of some of the Myspace rules - I was wondering if I could share my website URL with friends on there - it leads to various sites I trade on - you have probably saved me hours of reading the terms and conditions again + spared me a whole lot of hassle too.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 03:36, Tim Berry MD said:
  

  I could spend a full day discussing the ethics of using MySpace for marketing. It has been one of my dilemma’s for the past year. But after going into the trenches and “moving into” MySpace during this same period of time, I have become quite comfortable with it. Early on I had the same concerns that you mentioned, including the smut issues, but I really have not been bothered with it much. In fact when I see a comment or bulletin that I find offensive I simply click the button to report it and usually that profile disappears within 24 hours. I believe they do a great job of policing such a massive community. Honestly, the ads that I see are not any worse than what I see on billboards, magazines, newspapers, etc. I certainly get more offended by spam pornographic emails that slip past my filters daily than I do anything on MySpace, but I haven’t decided yet to get rid of email either.

  Here is what I have seen to be true with MySpace. It is no longer a teenager and pervert hangout. Its demographics are starting to mirror society’s much better although the main age group is still 16-34. You have to appreciate the massive number of people who visit it daily if you are a marketer. Certainly you can decide not to use it, but I believe that anyone can find their own comfort zone on MySpace that is effective as far as their marketing is concerned. As far as what is legal and what isn’t, again you have to figure out your comfort zone. We all use autoresponders and have found various comfort zones (single vs. double opt-in, etc). If we look closely at most of the Web 2.0 sites out there their TOS look very similar, with the exception of a few more progressive sites that encourage marketing.

  Most of the traffic I get from MySpace is through genuine relationships that I have developed over time. But the viral effect from these “prospects” has been jaw-dropping. I get the best word-of-mouth referrals from my friends on MySpace and it doesn’t require that I violate the TOS or succumb to porn temptations.

  Finally, I would just like to mention another side benefit that I never expected. I have had much more meaningful communication with the online marketing gurus through MySpace than through any members forum, offline seminars, etc. I get genuine tips and recommendations that you cannot find in an ebook, plus I have created some great friendships there that I wouldn’t trade for the world.

  Sorry for the lengthy response, but since I have put a lot of time into studying this topic (and someone needs to play devil’s advocate) I wanted to share the positive side to MySpace. As I said, we all have to find our comfort zones in our online marketing. I personally have found MySpace to be comfortable.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 03:57, Veronica said:
  

  Hi Eric,
  Every day I’m reminded in some way to never take things for granted. ( I never seem to learn the message so I guess that’s why I keep being reminded.)
  Some time last week I was sent an email about joining MySpace and what wonders awaited me there. I didnt have time to do it right then and got caught up in the work I was doing and forgot about it. Yesterday, when I was nowhere near a computer I remembered myspace again and planned to go there and get my newest site advertised and have heaps of traffic coming to it (sure!) Now I feel another bubble has burst.
  Thank you for your warning, because a little bubble burst today is a lot better than the hours of work I probably would have done to get into myspace and it would have been in vain.
  Veronica
  http://www.all-about-tattoos.com

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 03:58, Izrul Fizal said:
  

  Eric,

  Thanks for the info. I did plan to buy or join MySpace before, but to tell you the truth, after reading several sales letter promoting MySpace, I’m still not quite sure how does it work. Luckily, you bring this matter up.

  Keep reviewing other product Eric.

  I also would like to suggest to you to do a review on Craiglist if you have the time.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 04:15, Stephan said:
  

  Hey Eric,

  As always, you are right on target.

  Remember, true guru’s teach, and lead by example. They don’t use shady methods, don’t break any laws (or TOS), and they will not teach you “how to do it too”.

  Oh well, I guess it all depend on who you call a guru.

  Sincerly,

  Stephan Nijhof

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 04:28, Becky Rhone-Nowlan said:
  

  Eric,

  Thanks for the information. Sadly, there are many new marketers out there listening to some of the seasoned “gurus” who are using myspace as a viable business option. Thanks to you I won’t risk losing my business or reputation because I listened to them. Bless you and good prosperity to you.

  Becky

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 04:45, NAWEED JAWEED said:
  

  totall Agree With U Well i dont join Myspace Beacuse Of same reason last week i join up and seee these ads and i forget my space Nice info

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 05:21, Affiliate said:
  

  For some time I was also wanting to try the Myspace market but I lost the will to do it and went doing other things I love most, not following the hype. Most marketers there are seen like spammers, and so, even if I have everything I need to be successful there, I never tried it.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 05:28, Chris Lee Ramsden said:
  

  Hi Eric

  Thanks for the heads up. It was great to read that someone is questioning the identity of the ‘My’ in ‘MySpace.’

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 05:32, Haydn said:
  

  Thought about advertising my limousine service on myspace, will think again now. Thanks Eric, very informative.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 05:47, Doug said:
  

  That was a good article. Then you have people like April, posting spam on your blog…..
  Guess she isn’t makin money on Myspace, so, try make money selling Myspace promotion on your blog.
  Can anyone say SPAM!!?

  Anyway, great article. Can’t helpbut wonder what your partner, Joel has to say about it.

  Have a great one.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 05:47, TAMMY said:
  

  Hi Eric,

  I am so glad that there is someone like you around the IM community. It is very rare to find a marketer who has as much integrity as you.

  You would not believe if I told you the number of offers I have received in the past couple of months for products to learn how to Market on My Space. Even worse, the number of “big” name Internet Marketers who have sent emails to ask if I wanted to be “their friend” on My Space.

  It seems that my words are always the same as I close– Thanks again for the great info.

  But you really do give great advice on any subject and although you are many years younger than me, you are very wise for your age.
  Wisdom and integrity will take you very far in life Eric and you my friend have so much of both.

  Best,
  Tammy

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 06:02, Katarina said:
  

  I didn’t like My Space from the start.
  Thanks

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 06:47, Joe said:
  

  Hi Eric,
  You’re right on the money again, mate.

  I think the whole thing is an absolute pile of cow dung. I have yet to see anything of value professionally or commercially for anyone with a myspace account. Every time I’ve gone onto someone’s myspace site, all I got was a headache! It’s an absolute dog’s breakfast (mess) and seems so amateurish!

  To me, the only people it could appeal to are pre-pubescent teenagers and maybe highly evolved pre-schoolers. Seriously, would any credible business person rely on myspace?

  I know, I wouldn’t and I refuse to have one.
  Regards,
  Joe

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 06:59, Steve Renner said:
  

  The whole My Space thing is crazy. For the users it is great, they have a way to interact online with their friends and meet new people. It’s sad to see Marketers trying to cheat the system. And everyone seems like it’s no big deal. Even My Space must know what is going on, but they don’t care, they are enjoying the traffic.

  People adding 100s of accounts is just pumping up the user count, which helped pump up the price when they sold out to Google.

  Steve Renner

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 07:08, Michelle said:
  

  Hi Eric, I’ve only been in this marketing business for approx 9 months now, I took a peak at My Space a few months ago and well, mmm I ran with my tail between my legs. A bit out there for the naive but don’t worry I’m learning! Thanks for your Newsletter and it’s been nice getting to know you and your family.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 07:21, Rens said:
  

  Hey Eric,

  Thanks for showing this :).
  Well that makes me a bit curious what are your products about? I haven’t been on your list for too long and only saw you promoting ather people’s stuff, but I’m actually interested in your products that you would recommend right now ;). Products that work right now in internet marketing. Well, that may sound a bit foolish, but I’m really not on your list for that long.

  Thanks again Eric,
  Rens

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 07:24, Ken Seal said:
  

  Eric,
  Thank you for the FYI. Unfortunately, some folk feel that “It does not apply to them”, including a couple of people who have left comments about this post. Used to be people worked on a “handshake deal”, and it was easy to see the scammers from afar. Today, they come wearing sheep’s clothing, and apparently will do anything for a buck. I have learned very quickly to “believe nothing of what you hear (read) and half of what you see on the Internet.” We are heading towards the day when “Guru” will become synonymous with “Crook”, and everyone will lose as a result. I hope that the offenders will clean up their acts before it is too late, but I think pigs will fly first.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 07:51, Anthony said:
  

  What a shame that marketers do not utilize myspace for profit.
  Let’s all be serious here… If you’re gonna play by the rules you
  will not make any REAL money. let’s face it, we’re all here to
  make LOTS of money otherwise why waste your time?

  MySpace cannot police their entire membership.
  IT IS TOO BIG! We’re talking millions of people.

  For all you that are complaining about people trying
  to make money by not playing by the rules just remember
  that playing by the rules will NOT or EVER make you rich.

  I’m NOT saying to do anything ILLEGAL But…

  C’mon… Are you a marketer trying to make money or
  are here to waste your time? Make up your mind.

  MySpace is just another service on the web.

  Again, we are here to make money or we are not.

  Myspace breaks their own TOS. Myspace cannot
  prove you’re using any bot or software that adds
  friends. They are just a networking website for
  GOD’S SAKE, they aren’t GOD!

  Take advantage of Myspace. If you don’t…

  Don’t complain about medicore sales because you’re
  not making any money. Get a clue.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 08:13, Vinnie said:
  

  Eric,

  I truly look forward to receiving Eric’s Tips. I like your honest assessment of all the good, bad and downright ugly opportunities in the area internet marketing.

  I found this post very enlightening. One question that comes to mind after reading this post is; How does this effect you assessment of the Traffic Geiser Program you reviewed and tested recently?

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 08:17, Billy Bristol said:
  

  I am so weary of the whole Myspace bombardment of my email account every day. Thank you Eric for showing us the truth.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 08:20, Ken said:
  

  Thanks for the Info Eric. I must confess to using myspace for marketing and even worse using an alias. After what you have said about possible legal repercussions I am about to delete my account.

  Although your pictures of the ads are not offensive to myself, I would imagine that they will be to lots of others and anyway, what are they (myspace) trying to promote themselves as?

  There are more social bookmarking sites available to us marketers for business use, one of which I recently signed up with.

  http://bizpreneur.com/webproglobal

  Have a better weekend, Ken

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 08:30, Jack Hadley said:
  

  Hi Eric,
  I would like to see more pictures of these women and I’am sure most men would. What’s wrong with those pictures ?
  Nothing.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 08:42, Ian del Carmen said:
  

  Oh man!

  Even Squidoo has issues with marketers.

  Checkout this thread at the Warrior Forum:
  http://www.warriorforum.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=127923

  Ian del Carmen
  http://MembershipWholesaler.com
  http://FireballNews.com

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 08:42, Sarah said:
  

  Eric,
  Thanks for taking a stand. I do find those ads offensive, mostly because I read most of my emails at work (I bet my boss finds that offensive ). But really, aren’t there enough places to find that sort of content? And…since MySpace certainly caters to the underage crowd…I find it offensive because they are being very irresponsible to their clients. Enough skin already.

  I kind of felt like I was missing the whole MySpace boat, but after reading your comments, I’m glad I did.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 08:58, Robin said:
  

  Hi Eric,

  Many thanks for your in-depth review. There are a lot of myspace members that display banners in their profile advertising their affiliate programs.

  I was thinking of doing the same, But I don’t think so, Not Now. Thank you. There are loads of better advertising resourses like - usfreeads - to name just one.

  While you’re on the topic of myspace, could you also do a review of Squidoo.

  I’ve been hearing so much (all good) so far about this fairly new site and it is fairly similar except that as far as I am aware, they Do allow you to advertise.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 09:01, Gene said:
  

  Eric,
  How refreshing. An internet marketer with integrity. Wouldn’t it be great if we could believe all the “great” sales letters out there.
  God Bless
  Gene

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 09:03, Brother Paul said:
  

  Once more, Eric, you hit the nail on the head.

  I put up a MySpace spot, only to find out they didn’t even want to list me as “married.” (I’ve been married to Miz Kathy for about 23 1/2 years, but I couldn’t find a way to get their notification corrected, so I just said, “‘Nuff of this.”)

  It seems that most marketers, with you, Eric–and a very few others–being the exception, have stooped to the “love of money,” which is the root of all kinds of evil. As for the scantily clad women, I was taught a simple message a long time ago that should be told these women at an early age: “If it’s not for sale, don’t advertise.” But, again, the lure of easy money has made that mantra go by the wayside.

  Internet marketing, as well as all forms of business building, has always been about providing more in use value than you get in cash value. But, the “suckers” out there keep falling for this or that fad, with MySpace being the latest “bandwagon.” Eventually, all of these fads will go the way of the “dot-bomb” that happened a few years back, and once again, those that have provided more in use value than they get in cash value will be the ones to succeed.

  Eric, thanks for providing some excellent “use” value by warning all of us.

  Make it a great day!

  Brother Paul

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 09:20, AkiliKumasi said:
  

  Thank you for your comments. Those business people who standup for high moral standards need to be congratulated. Since I know that you are a Christian, as am I, then I can especially appreciate your sensitivity to what some would consider “soft-porn” on the MySpace website. But we know that pictures like that sell merchandise. That’s why automobile ads have an attractive woman standing next to the car, a marketing practice that started decades ago and has continued with great ferocity ever since.

  I don’t want to get to “preachy” here but let the truth be told. The bottom line, I believe, is that the pursuit of the dollar is the determining factor. “Some marketers” (in any industry) will do whatever it takes to sell their products. If it is a seductive woman, then so be it. So where does that leave us? Just check out the some of the content in movies, in television programming and in music that is evidence of the same type of decaying morality in society in general. This of course has a great impact on the morals of each new generation. Where will we be in 20, 30 40 years?

  More Christian marketers and other marketers with decent moral standards need to step-to-the-plate for we have not all gone mad.

  Thanks Eric. You’ve finally gotten me to post on your blog - about something I care deeply about. Keep up the good work!

  Akili Kumasi
  Author, Publisher
  GIL Publications.com

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 09:28, Mark B said:
  

  Thanks Eric! I value your reviews and appreciate your willingness to express your honest opinion on the ‘latest fads’. It seems some gurus just send us every new thing that comes along so that they can make their affiliate bucks from us! Thanks again - Mark B, Texas

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 09:45, KC Kudra said:
  

  Hi Eric,

  Once again you remind me of why I would never consider un subscribing from your Eric’s Tips Newsletter. You consistently deliver well thought out and penned response to the mass hysteria of the Internet Marketing community.

  While others are quick to jump on any trend that might make a buck you are much more diligent in your marketing and do the necessary homework before you just go arbitrarily rubber stamping the latest craze and shooting out endorsements to your list of loyal readers.

  I never been one to just want to jump on the bandwagon and put my credibility and reputation on the line for the quick buck I prefer to take the eastern philosophy of the long term business plan. Although this may make me loose out on some quick profits it pays dividends in the long run that far exceed the short term gains.

  I’m not going to try and moralize to anyone but the examples you showed above I would even have a hard time justifying on my dating information site as a little to over the top. Don’t kid yourself a site the size and magnitude of MySpace is always going to look out for number one first and make the commercialization of their web traffic to their advantage.

  Please keep up the great work you are a true asset to the marketing community at large and this marketer in particular.

  Thanks,

  KC Kudra
  Go2dating.info

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 10:01, Mark said:
  

  Duh!

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 10:03, John McCabe said:
  

  Nice rant, Eric. I enjoy reading well-thought-out opinions from people who actually know how to write. Many blogs and even print publications have let their editing standards slip to embarrassing levels.

  I do find it ironic that the very first comment after your post is promoting the very thing you’re taking a stand against.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 10:07, Heidi said:
  

  Very good article. I am glad you pointed this out. I did see all those offers for ‘myspace riches’ but did the research and ignored them.

  Besides, I don’t keep my MySpace for networking or marketing on a large scale. If I did I would not keep it private.

  It has been great though for finding old friends I thought I lost and old classmates. It has worked out much better for me than Classmates.com ever did and it is free. =)

  So Myspace does have its uses definitely. Also my friends on my list, which are true friends, often ask me what I am working on and I tell them. This often includes a url to one of my websites so I am marketing… without spamming too.

  Keep up the good work and Happy New Year
  Heidi

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 10:10, Ryan said:
  

  I find it interesting how you and your good friend Joel Comm differ on this subject… I had a myspace account about a year ago but deleted it after seeing all of the trash on there. I don’t know what it is about that site but it seems like every girl on there has a picture of themselves in their underwear.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 10:16, Mark said:
  

  Sorry about that. The commonly rude and mercenary exploitation of people on the internet was a given, I thought. So, what’s new? Nothing. It’s all the same old ‘it, so to speak kinda like a Southern Colorado hillbilly, huh?
  Thirty years ago I ran a plant store two blocks east of East High School on East Colfax Ave., one of the two main streets in Denver. We did it until we found out about insurance liability issues (AND premiums!) after our first hired part-time employee was robbed in the store one evening. Ten years ago, for a year only (until it became clear that there’s simply not enough money in this, the second poorest county in Colorado, to support a healthy electronics retail sales and repair shop), and I was glad to quit because that market was flush with sharks and barracudas dealing quite “sharply”. ( as they say in OH BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?) This past year on the internet has me about fit to be tied, before I figuratively start ripping people apart, electronic limb from limb, so to speak, kind of like a hyper hacker. This ‘it just doesn’t fly, and those perched on steep internet precipices flapping their arms might as well be on LSD.
  Ever heard of the kee-kee bird, Eric?

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 10:24, Mark said:
  

  My dad discovered the kee-kee bird while an Army Air Corps cadet, and he once* explained to me that the kee-kee bird is a rare and exotic tropical avian that flies around in ever-diminishing concentric circles ** until it flies right up it own anus, clear into its rectum whereupon it exclaims in a loud albeit muffled shriek, “kee-kee-kee-RIST it’s DARK in here!”

  *it only took one time and I COULDN’T forget it, ever, for love or money, or even if my life depended on it.

  ** spiralling inward

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 10:27, John L said:
  

  Hi Eric,

  A sincere ‘thank you’ for this informative post. I will be taking a much closer look at marketers that have sent emails promoting myspace marketing.

  Hopefully the day will soon arrive when we can glean a short list of marketing leaders with simple integrity - their products realistically deliver what the ad copy states.

  This is a good step in that direction. Keep this up Eric and you will be happy with the end result.

  John

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 10:28, Mark said:
  

  Yeah, Eric! Let’s see you forget what a kee-kee bird is … now …

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 10:32, Mark said:
  

  Did you ever think about how ingeniously we ignore practically everything we “know” or perceive so as to focus on a single event or phenomenon? In fact, it seems that forgetting is just as ingenious as remembering can be. In sum, Eric, old buddy, old pal, never forget amnesia! It really does come in handy.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 10:40, Brian said:
  

  Thanks Eric :

  As usual you are on top of this one too. Unless I am mistaken , Myspace is a
  website specifically relating to the interests of our youngest internet users. For
  some of us it only takes what amounts to a splash page to realize and respect
  that . Unfortunately , due to the lax nature or complete lack of repercussions
  which follow any total or partial abuse of websites and their rules ( TOS ) , we
  have to allow for testers who would roam beyond the obvious.

  Due to the existing ( TOS ) as you described , most of us have become more
  accustomed to reading the rules before submitting or including anything on our
  own profile or websites. We don’t submit material to a website that may be
  rejected or lead to deletion of our membership or account. This type of material
  submission , without scanning the rules before submission can amount to a waste of
  time , since any rejection will make reference to the applicable rules themselves for
  reason of the rejections. Most of us know , respect and may even have experienced
  the processes of rejection , therefore we refrain from submitting what we expect will
  be rejected or worse.

  As far as the rules go ( TOS ) and alike , it doesn’t take much time to realize as well
  that they are merely disclaimers for any legal activity resulting from the inclusion of
  any inappropriate or “illegal” use. These “Rules” protect the website owners from
  prosecution , whereby , what is written in the rules is strictly adhered to in any court
  of law. The rules can also permit the website owners to have what they deem “just
  cause” to carry out any legal actions against abusers. With these things in mind ,
  basically all of the rules are there only for protection of the operators of the website.

  You have provided good examples of abuse but you haven’t come close to what
  would be available on Myspace , or anywhere else for that matter , if the ( TOS )
  could not permit users to complain or make reference to the rules themselves ,
  usually demanding the removal of such material. The dating website are a prime
  example of backdoor / reverse thinking , in that they submit a tolerable website
  to domains , but their primary intent is hidden behind these dating websites. One
  example of this are the dating websites who explicitly provide pictures of women
  mostly , completely nude. That is not to mention the dating websites who include
  explicit text on the homepage , which doesn’t require any user to even log in.

  So , in effect , if you were to submit any inclusion of explicit dating websites at
  Myspace , or anywhere else , you could have text or suggestive material which
  may include the acceptance of group sex , couples , or both. As a matter of
  fact these materials will include names , location , personal informations , such
  as age and graphic displays of adult genitilia. These materials are far more
  than “Scant” or suggestive pictures.

  In my opinion , nothing could be more embarrassing than having my wife or
  girlfriend expose herself with the inclusion that she would willingly participate
  in any form of sex of any type. Moreover , if you simply type a multitude of
  course or foul language into your browser , you will end up at actual websites ,
  mostly of which are loaded with sexual content.

  Since this is the case and upon simply having viewed these sites out of mere
  curiousity I found out that once you enter your email address , you will also
  get a multitude of email relating to hundreds of other websites. I also had
  the misfortune of realizing that sex websites ( dating websites ) have caused
  me to get computer viruses and alike. Without fail , if you enter any information
  on these websites you will be risking being abused right from the start. It isn’t
  even impossible for your email address to end up being used by one of these
  websites even if you didn’t personally provide it yourself.

  That is the reason why there are restrictions to adult content on most websites.
  It’s the abuse of some that has caused enough trouble to warrant restrictions.
  The abuse is far worse than anyone can imagine and effects new users of
  the internet who have not set up a foolproof firewall and antivirus combination.
  ” Let it be known that once you submit your email address , you have given
  out the path by which anyone can connect with you , if your security programs
  are not in place , anything is possible” .

  Disclaimer , disclaimer , disclaimer , is just what it says , not protection for the
  surfer who is curious. Is it any wonder there are websites specifically designed
  to cater to those people who do not want to be abused?

  It’s a no-brainer . Myspace is not “Anyone’space”. Whodathunkit !

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 10:46, Lisa said:
  

  Thanks Eric. As usual you have given me straight forward and honest advice. I am always anxious to read your posts. Thanks again.

  Lisa

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 10:49, Fermin said:
  

  Hi Eric,

  Thanks for that great comment on MySpace. I have been thinking about trying to market on MySpace but have some of the same reservations as you.

  I just love the way some of these new “social networking” companies use their users to get them to build out their network so that they can cash in when Google or some other big company buys them out, but give the users nothing back for their help in building their networks.

  There is a new company that’s doing just the opposite. They are building a network that they hope grows to a MySpace type size, but is giving all the value back to their users. The name of this company is Agloco. Check them out

  Have you reviewed this company yet?

  Thanks,
  Fermin

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 10:49, Karen Cook said:
  

  Happy New Year, Eric!

  Morals, honesty…where did it all go? The first time I checked
  what MySpace was all about was when a guru’s (MS) newsletter
  suggested we should.

  Had a look around and the “cringe factor” was sending up my little
  red flags. I knew it wasn’t for me. Sure, there are times I try to
  convince myself I should be doing things in a certain way if I want
  to make any money. However, I have to live with myself. There is
  enough in the internet marketing field, as it is, to cause cringing.

  Thank you for this report. It certainly made me feel a whole lot
  better about my choice to stay away.

  Karen

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 11:03, JerSooz said:
  

  Eric
  Great Blog about MySpace and having a Teenager in house using MySpace has been a chore to stop her from going to MySpace Profiles and merely getting information so as to call the Person whose profile she likes … (All within less then a 15 minute time frame before shutting off the computer) Addictive to Weird or voicing her voice as in Like Cooooooool site is worse then any TOS out there …

  Your comment of can not market to under 18 is truly MySpace who is in violation to their own concept where all Legal Claims and Disclaimers are to protect themselves not the consumer … as are Companies through out USA Employee’s Code of Conduct Compliance Rules …in other words it is You not them that will be held Responsible … Eric this truly is MySpace Right to be Capitalistic

  We agree that the Scandily Clad Ladies may be a bit too much ( Face the Facts these Ladies are Models and disclaimer at bottom of ads again protect the Advertiser)… but True.com is one of the Largest Dating Services and pays Big Dollars so is entitled to have the Ads … As the saying goes “If You don’t like the TV Program change the Channel” …

  Plus we disagree that Males jump all over the Ads thinking can Land a Lady as the ones viewed … Men face the facts as well as Ladies that these ads are Great Marketing Ploy (Plus maybe a Lot of Eye Candy will at least get them to open Webpage)… again as the saying goes … “If could land a Lady/Guy like that in Real Life you would not be using a Dating Service”.

  The Reason stating this is Yes, We Ourselves are Business Owners and looking for ways to be seen … Duh reason writing here also … Yes We like You and other Marketers are sometimes shocked content viewed as we Ourselves as You suggested started Our Own Webpages Ezine Blogs to control the content and return Good back to others this is a very time consuming and hour intensive or as we say… “Have to Work Hard to get what You want Ethic it’s not a Get Rich Quick Method”

  We think though there are People and Programs that work within MySpace boundries TOS and MySpace is trying to insure the Individuals voice is heard also why 90% is 18 and under it is a place for Teens to voice opinions and also by todays standard amongst Teens to Shock

  The Automated Systems also will find Eric some are perfectly Legal to use … MySpace monitors the volume traffic if were not aware and will as I was informed Contact You 1st so you can come back into the Realm of their TOS before shutting You down … A Musician we know site became so popular and people joining his MySpace was amazed Traffic Level … So contacted him as to check if in Violation Guy is such a Non Techno person he had no clue to how Traffic came about

  MySpace was actually created so Fellow Musicians Artists and the Creative Communities could as the Internet 1st was … created to Share Idea’s … so Automated Systems were and will be created so as to get Information about Others say Genre of Music Life styles Hobbies etc

  Programs such as Badder Adder fall within these Boundaries … as is their TOS it states also Software is not intended to be used to Violate MySpace Requirements and even their TOS are written will disqualify you from using it …Only those with Unethical Principles will Violate the Terms

  Also Eric We would like to state MySpace and ways People are promoting ways to Advertise on it if in the Legal Guidelines as are Forums … You Introduce Yourself and put Your Foot in the Door as Hey Check Me Out I am … If Others come to see Who You are so long as Not Promoting in Their Space … You are not in Violation …

  We Ourselves write to Our Local News Paper Blogs and do a Local Gee Love this Town as We Truly do … we have Links to Our Websites/Ezine/Blog as in Favorite Places when or if People come to View Our Pages as did the Editors and Readers to Only Commend Us on Our Great Local info …

  (They also love Our Overwhelm You with Information … So overwhelming People distracted forget to Buy because moving onto more information MySpace is like this as is the internet … *Our Sites are Sticky so can come back that is if bookmark us*… Eric it is True if want to Sell Promote only One thing or Package then People buy because not distracted also way we advertise or tell our list to check into)

  We then say maybe MySpace would also see You as such too … Yes a Hard Method to Learn … but if You have integrity as was Your Article … The same Flip the Coin where Your Own Article maybe as some would see is also a Marketing Ploy … a Gee a I Feel Good am Protecting You …If We can all come somewhere to the middle will get a better understanding …

  Online Marketing like True Life is Getting People to Trust You and Your Ethics … No More No Less and if have No Ethics You will soon enough be exposed

  So Yeah Eric Keep up the Great Work and BTW neither of the 2 Ladies Touched Our Gotta get Button … True.com better do another Test on it’s impulse rating and Our MySpace throws different things at Us might want to check Your Profile settings Keep Up the Great Work

  Have Fun Jer&Sooz

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 11:34, Pierre Schexneider said:
  

  Hi Eric,

  Thanks for the informative post, for those of us who are trying to make an honest, ethical living online
  it is refreshing to see a successful respected marketer expose the quick buck schemes of some of
  the not so ethical marketer.

  I also have to comment on Frank Sousa’s post, I know Frank to be very honest and helpful, so if he
  avoids using MySpace, then that verifys you research.

  Pierre

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 11:36, Rev. Hal Humphries said:
  

  Hi, Eric !

  To quote a Friend of mine (and yours, too, I think), “Well done, good and faithful servant;….”

  Next to me, you’re one of the most honest IM marketers I know
  - - there are a “few” of us out there who don’t always succumb to promoting the latest “rage” just to make a buck, be it software, “dimesales”, or whatever. Like you, Eric, I try to promote only those things I really believe are in the best interest of my readers.

  Success is not always easy to come by, but (like anything else of value)… if it’s worth having, it’s worth waiting (and working) for

  Thanks for your honesty and due diligence, Eric.

  Concerning some of the comments: although I am not into “name dropping” of other gurus, I do agree with the comment re: “Tellman” and “IM ADD” - - too much “jumping around” playing “follow the guru of the minute” is the surest direction “away” from success.

  I disagree with the use of the phrase “semi-ethical” - - “ethics” and “ethical” are funny words… kind of like the word “pregnant” - - just as a woman can’t be a “little” pregnant,… a person can’t be “semi” ethical - - it’s one of those things where you either “are” or you “aren’t”.

  If you go to my site - - the “subscribe” link is on the right - - and scroll to the bottom, you’ll see a link that says, “My Friends”. If you click on it, it will take you to a page that lists “some” of the people who have helped me along the way to get on the net and start my business.

  As the page states, rather than have a page of testimonials from other people about “me”, this is “my” testimonial to “them” for the friend that they proved to be to me when I needed one. Those people mean far more to me “as friends” than the stuff people put on their sites, hoping for would-be customers to purchase from them.

  (Aside: I would rather have an “honest” testimonial from someone I genuinely “helped” than a marketer - who may be an affiliate - whose comments are intended to “further establish my ‘credibility’” so as to make a sale. Call me crazy for thinking that way if you like,… but I’ve been called worse.)

  THAT is what a site like MySpace should ideally be about anyway.

  Thanks, Eric !

  Your friend in Christ on the net,
  Hal Humphries

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 11:54, Erkki Muhonen aka Erik Still said:
  

  there are many ways of looking at myspace, and you surely make a great point(s) with many of your arguments against why it’s extremely difficult to make money with myspace or actually even “illegal”.
  the most annoying attempts of making money i see is when i see some totally normal looking girl in the pictures claiming to be new to myspace, and i think, what the h*, let’s add her…
  and then reading from the bulletins “come watch my live show, im hot”
  and similar.
  it’s quite annoying.
  now, other things i have seen that may work is actually personally endorsed products and the music part of myspace.
  they can actually make some money from it.
  as far as i have noticed, people use myspace in many ways like they use their blogs and some use their myspace blogs as well, to get visitors to one of their hundred websites, which is kinda ok. this is a down and dirty way to internet marketing in my opinion, but if it works, it works.
  anyway, i love myspace and as long as it’s free i will continue using it, it’s one of the most effective places for networking i have ever stumbled upon.
  anyway, good points well taken and commented upon:D

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 12:18, DEBORAH BERNARDY said:
  

  Eric,

  I’ve been disgusted with the whole My space thing from the beginning. So, your wisdom just reinforced it and I appreciate it. Thanks for the great info!!!! Love ya, bud.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 12:45, Floyd said:
  

  Keith Wellman:

  As much as I respect you, you are dead wrong on this issue. Please allow me to explain why.

  First off, MySpace is own by News Corp, which is a division of Fox Broadcasting. So in that regard Fox Broadcasting actually is the people who own myspace. Here’s when the deal went down:

  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4695495.stm

  “Prison Break” is a television series broadcast by the very self same company:

  http://www.fox.com/prisonbreak/

  Guess what, if you read the BBC article above, this is exactly what they planned to do with the site in the first place!

  Oh and guess what else they do? They also sell myspace accounts to big corporations who want to expose their wares to myspace visitors. This is why those ‘very big companies’ are allowed to do this. Is it legal? Yep. Is it ethical? Yep? Can you do it? Not without an agreement with Fox you can’t, otherwise you’ll eventually get sued out of your socks.

  Either contact Fox and get such an agreement on paper (and pay the tolls to do so), or don’t think about using it for marketing.

  Eric is dead on the money on this one, read and heed or ignore at your peril.

  -Floyd Fisher

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 13:57, Mike L. said:
  

  Good stuff! I refrained from using Myspace for commercial ventures mainly because of the inability to verify age issue. I wondered if many of the “gurus” sending me emails on how to profit on Myspace even bothered to read the TOS. Still, thanks again.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 14:03, Steve said:
  

  Hello Eric,

  Firstly there are a few points I wish to make - I do in a lot of ways agree with you but there are a few things I think are all so important to bare in mind. (not trying to be criticizing in any way shape or form)

  1. Myspace was created by Tom - he had an idea with good intention and it paid off (very well) so in some ways Myspace hasn’t been a corporate monster from the start - at the end of the day I would hardly be ashamed to be the founder of something that offers what it does and to the extent it has grown - the problem is where it is now - not where ti was when it started.

  2. Myspace was bought out by the owner of SKY for $580, 000 000 so in some retrospect’s it’s what you can expect - the whole crap within the TOS - I’m sure Microsoft and every other corporate company have done similar things at some point.

  3. I 100% agree with you about the adverts from a Christian moral view, however it is a business (not the way I go about it) and well look at LOreal - they sell sex pretty darn well - and all they care about in some respects is profit unlike the small businessman/ woman that may wish to give their customers tlc - so again what do you expect. I personally will never use an approach that I believe is immoral or anything other than straight up with marketing - you don’t need to promote sex to sell - e.g. Dove - campaign for beauty.

  What I am in some ways stating is that it’s not anything new in the world of business - I think Myspace offers more than any other social network does, it is a good service - yes kids crave over it but then they crave over the latest mobiles, Britney Spears… The media will always target venerable kids it’s an easy target audience to win over…

  Um and lastly I don’t think using Myspace as a vender to promote or advertise a business is a good idea – it’s not what Myspace was/is intended for and I don’t blame them from stopping people doing so anyway – their income is from selling advertising space – why would they give it away for free?

  I hope my opinion on the matter doesn’t offend you or anyone else – I thought I’d post it considering it’s a different point of view – replies with regards to my post would be widely welcomed.

  Warm Regards,
  Steve

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 14:13, Mike Russell said:
  

  Thanks for the article Eric and to 95% of the posters here - Time & money saved.

  MySpace is plastic, superficial, aimed at teenagers and quite obviously a carefully sculpted tool for big business to make money out of gullibility at any cost. Take heed of the old adage “Never try to kid a kidder” and you won’t get burned. People like that don’t take kindly to others trying to muscle in on their turf - especially when one has the cheek to try and use their tools to do it.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 15:01, Thalia said:
  

  Hi Eric,

  I totally agree. It’s really sad to see that people are so desensitized to the crock this world is cooking, we could gobble anything up, especially those who are most immpressionable (like our kids).

  Keep up the good work,
  Thalia

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 15:07, Eric said:
  

  In reply to Keith Wellman’s post pointing out that large companies like Fox are using MySpace, for example:

  http://creative.myspace.com/VOD/prison_break/index.html

  One thing you will notice is that they are not displaying the banner ads at the top of the page. It’s possible that Fox would be so blatant as to break that rule, but I think it can be reasonably assumed that they have an arrangement with MySpace allowing them to use it for promotional purposes.

  Also that’s NOT a regular member “profile” page… notice the creative.myspace.com subdomain?

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 16:15, Steve McKay said:
  

  No, I’m not offended by “soft” stuff like this, but you make some very good points and I have been thinking the same way for some time now!

  Keep up the great work!

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 17:53, Aussie said:
  

  Hi Eric!
  Totally agree with your sentiments and enjoyed your newsletter on the My Space FAD.
  I had a look at it a few months ago and figured I didn’t wish to be involved with such rubbish, nor did I feel there would be much genuine benefit in it.
  I feel it is just another way of spamming people and sucking in kids and non thinkers.
  Keep up the good work.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 18:27, Al said:
  

  Hi Eric,

  Thanks for exposing the harsh realities of using so-called “free” web space for commercial endeavours. It just goes to show that in life, there is no free lunch.
  As a web hosting representative for Siteleader.com, we have been letting people know about the free hosting companies for years, going back to the AOL, Compuserve, and Tripod web sites. Myspace is just the latest in a long (and never ending) procession of free hosts that are looking to siphon the life-blood out of your well-earned traffic.

  The challenge for a hosting company rep (like myself) is that , when we say it, it sounds like we are just trying to sell more hosting plans.

  Eric, with this article, you have just earned yourself an honorary plaque of greatness in the main entrance to our hosting company offices!

  Best Regards,
  Al Herd
  Siteleader.com
  Making Names for the Net Since 1996…..

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 18:44, Walter Gavurnik said:
  

  Great article once again Eric!
  1) Congrats to your sister. May GOD bless her and her new family; extended and future!
  2) I created a myspace account in order to market to all those millions FREE! Well….I too
  read the TOS and realized it was not something to attempt. The ramifications are not something
  worth dealing with. Enforced or not!
  3) My thanks to Anthony above. He has proven to me that he does not beleive in ethical marketing.
  I am going to my email right now to unsubscribe from his list(s).
  4) I understand that myspace is free because of the ads from sponsors. I am not a naive person by
  any means, it just seems that everywhere you go now there are ads with these “scantliy clad women”.
  As the typical male, I see the “body beautiful”! As a married father with two daughters, enough is enough!
  Lastly my friend, I am requesting permission to add an exerpt from this article to my blog with a link back.

  Thank you again for an honest review.
  Walter Gavurnik

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 19:14, Father Dave said:
  

  I love your work, Eric, though I suspect that there is room on MySpace still for those of us who wish to market a non-commercial product (eg. a social justice agenda).

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 19:28, Floyd said:
  

  Eric:

  In response to your reply to Keith.

  Please reread my reply to the same subject and you’ll understand why Fox can get away with it.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 22:02, J. R. Reece said:
  

  Thank you, thank you, thank you! Once again, Eric, you have said what I have been thinking. I didn’t dig into the TOS or anything like you have done, but I just didn’t like the idea of using MySpace. I do not have an account because of the implied ads and content I heard about on the news. I get enough of that cr@p without signing up for it.

  Once again, you have proven to me why you stay on my “A” list. I can’t thank you enough for the insight you have provided over and over again.

  JR (LadyJR)
  http://www.ladyjr.com

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.15 23:27, D. Williams said:
  

  Great info, Eric. For a guy who’s just getting going with this stuff, it’s nice to know what not to try.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.16 00:56, Glen Rolands said:
  

  Eric,

  Thanks so much for truly exposing the practices of myspace and the harsh realities that go along with “free” services. Tip to all; when considering webhosting, go with an experienced webhosting company (like the one mentioned in the recent post - Siteleader) Looks like this particular outfit has been around for about 11 years…..in any case forget the “free” internet services and go with experienced affordable Internet services and avoid all the garbage.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.16 02:37, Cecil Anderson said:
  

  Hey there Eric,

  I truly understand your point of view concerning Myspace Marketing. I can see why you feel that it is a bad idea to market on myspace, given all of the junk products being pushed by the Internet marketing Guru crowd. Yes, there is a lot of hype out there concerning this subject. It seems to be the latest gimmick or fad in the Internet Marketing product arena.

  The real problem is that most IM Guru’s don’t really understand what marketing on Myspace is all about. So all they do is push the latest and greatest buzzword product of the day to opportunity seekers. Now what you have is thousands of people who spam Myspace with comments, bulletins, email, and etc in hopes of making a quick buck. I believe that we can all agree that this is the wrong way to promote yourself or a business on Myspace.

  So is there a right way to promote a business, product, group, or individual on Myspace? Absolutely…. Within Myspace’s TOS ? I can’t answer that for sure. I do believe that Myspace should redo it’s TOS. But allow me to give you some real life examples of how people are using Myspace to build real businesses and not spam people.

  Here are some good examples of Myspace Marketing that I have been studying:

  1. Bands and Musicians. Ok, this is an obvious one and what myspace is known for. Just go and visit any musicians myspace page and you will see what I am talking about. You can add the artists song to your myspace page. Hmm.. Can you say Viral Marketing…? Bands can also send out bulletins and event invitations to their friends list. hmm… promotion…? Bands sell CDs and concert tickets, right?

  2. Average Joe or Jill business owner who has a myspace page… If you haven’t been on Myspace very long then you may not have noticed this little trend. People promote themselves and in turn promote what they do for a living. Example: Susie makes designer purses and writes about her life and purse designs in her blog. She does mention her website on her profile. She posts pics of her creations as well as personal pics and some videos. Over time Susie’s Purses become popular because of the topics she has written about in her myspace blog. Customers love her purses so much that they have sent Susie’s profile to their friends creating a viral effect.

  3. Actors and Comedians. AskaNinja.com is just one example of a successful Web 2.0/ myspace marketing campaign. I won’t go into detail but think viral video stuff. Funny videos spread to thousands of people virally. Consider the ability to direct all of that traffic to a video blog with a T-shirt shop, and some ads.

  4. Real Internet marketers are connecting on Myspace to form potential partnerships and joint ventures. I use my profile to blog about Internet Marketing topics. I want to build an audience and connect with other small business people. Hello! Networking is one of the options for having a profile.

  5. Non Profit Organizations, Churches and Bible study groups…. Do I have to say anymore?

  6. Models. And I am not talking about the bad stuff.. Models promote themselves to gain a public following and in turn get free publicity. Free publicity for a model leads to more photo shoots or public appearance opportunities.

  7. Authors. Again, free publicity. Publicity is Marketing.

  8. Content Producers, aka real bloggers (not junk blogging) promoting a main blog/ website.

  9. and too many more examples to list here.

  I believe the root problem here is that most people believe that marketing is only about sending out ads and sales letter copy. Marketing is more than just ads and salesletters. Most Interent Marketers don’t get that.

  Well. I have said enough. I hope that my post opens a new line of thought concerning Myspace marketing or social marketing in general.

  Thank You,

  Cecil Anderson

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.16 02:39, Eric said:
  

  Great comment Cecil, and some good ideas of how to use MySpace as an indirect form of marketing by leveraging the social networking aspect for publicity, while attempting to play within the rules.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.16 03:52, Jon said:
  

  Hey Eric,
  Once again you’ve gone where few dare to tread and I applaud you sincerely. While social networking is certainly a viable means of promoting a business, we as marketers have a responsibility to do it with integrity and honesty, and the “gurus” whose emails I’ve been bombarded with lately are obviously doing neither. As you said, it’s doubtful any of them even read the TOS. With regard to the advertising on MySpace, sex does sell to be sure, but it does so only because people are not conscious of the fact that they are being manipulated, or don’t care. Most of the advertising today is based on a pleasure/pain principle, and we are being manipulated either through our desire for pleasure or our need to avoid pain. Either way it comes down to manipulation. The wonderful thing about capitalism however is that we hold the power within our every decision to make this world a better place for ourselves and our children. The choices we make every day, from what we purchase in the grocery store to whether we participate in sites like MySpace have tremendous power, and can ultimately change the world if we choose wisely. Boycotts that have been staged in the past have shown us that much. So it falls upon each of us to educate ourselves and stop being led around by those who want more dollars and care little for anything else.
  All the best,
  Jon Michael

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.16 09:12, Rabeeha said:
  

  I recently found your tips website and its really refreshing to see someone so straight up. I’ve only been delving in IM for a couple months now, and that too only a couple hours a day if lucky, and the guru talk really gives me a headache. I never really liked mySpace anyway. As some of the other commenters said, it seems geared at gullible teenagers, and while I think it is probably fine for them to network (even though it does seem very chaotic, cluttered, and amateur), marketing to them wouldn’t seem right. I’m surprised that a lot of big name marketers are there. It all seems like a big spam machine.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.16 21:33, Georjina said:
  

  Great post Eric! I’ve been online long enough to see just about every ‘hot, fantastic, great, next big thing’ there is - Myspace is no different. Besides, unless you’re selling to teeny-boppers, why would you want to base your business on the tire-kicker, freebie seekers who surf just to get something for nothing?

  Yours is one of the few newsletters and blogs I read every week. Keep being honest, online that’s a rarity.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.17 13:50, Nick said:
  

  Eric,

  Nothing personal, but your rant seems hypocritical.

  You preach about violating MySpace’s TOS while at the same time actively participate in the production and promotion of products that violate Google’s TOS.

  Google specifically states that creating sites solely for the purpose of displaying Adsense ads violates their TOS, but you and your partner Joel have no problem selling Adsense Templates and other tools to create Adsense Sites.

  How do you decide which rules are ok to break?

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.18 00:30, Susan Nichols said:
  

  Eric,

  We commend you for having good morals and the courage to speak out!

  You are a professional that is making a difference!

  Vector Central Marketing
  http://www.vectorcentral.com

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.18 10:33, Kevin Lam said:
  

  Eric, I must have been behind the curve because I still don’t have a MySpace account, lol. 80% of everyone in my squadron has a MySpace account. It has certainly spread like wildfire, but never in a monetary way. I never saw MySpace as a potential to make money so I never even made an account. Besides, everyone I’d like to talk to are already in my forum (including you, lol).

  Alright, keep up the good work and I’ll see you around.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.18 21:33, Cliff said:
  

  Eric, I really appreciate the great information that you provide week in and week out for us. Your stance on this is spot on and I applaud you for the courage to stand up and say what you think. Wouldn’t it be nice if some enterprising internet marketers came up with a great business networking site for just the Internet Marketing Community. With over a million of us, there is definitely enough interest to warrant such a site.

  What do you think about that idea?

  You know, a Zone where we could get together, form the networks and relationships necessary for our ongoing success as Internet Marketers.

  Wouldn’t that be great?

  Well, I guess we will just have to wait for our own space….or maybe not. Maybe February will bring to us just such a space…just for us. What a great New Year’s gift that would be. Keep your eyes open and time will tell.

  Have a great day!

  Cliff
  ===============================
  http://www.theforerunnernetwork.com

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.19 03:16, Ruth Shultz said:
  

  As always Eric my friend you are right on the money. I appreciate your research. I had come to the same deduction about this subject. There are social networking places for business such as BizFriendz that is legal and a much better place to be able to show ones wares.
  Thanks again.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.19 16:11, Franck S said:
  

  I never had time to open a myspace account although I wanted to do it! But with what I’ve just read, I may forget it for ever.

  You are right, it seems that almost everyone and his dog is at my space trying to get adsense traffic…

  P.S: Thank you for letting us know for the pictures. I scrolled down without looking. It would be better if you didn’t post it ever!

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.19 16:15, Nick said:
  

  This is for Cliff -
  The site you’re looking for already exists:
  http://www.mywarriornetwork.com/

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.20 03:49, Donna H said:
  

  I must also be behind the times, I do not have a Myspace either. I get emails for singles all the time, in fact I just changed my vtc.net email because of the 24,000 emails of stuff I did not ask for in the last 3 months and that does not count the ones I did not get because I did not check my mail for a few days and received a postal mail overload warning.
  I was receiving emails I would post anywhere. I do not know how they got my email address.
  I love your Erics tips even though I see some do not! It is a free country still, and free speech is still legal.

  I have been busy putting my new web site together http://www.funnyyardsale.com to open this coming week. Haven’t had as much time for reading, need to catch up.

  When I am finished I want to become affiliated with a few web sites to promote, to bring extra money.

  I am going to start a http://www.coughpotatomoney.com to put my affiliations on as well.

  If you are interested email me at coughpotatomoney@yahoo.com

  Still working on the theme though. Have any ideas, I would like to hear them.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.20 09:33, Edward said:
  

  I don’t use Myspace but I guess only people living in the USA with seizable assets should be concerned about these ridiculous Myspace TOS…do you really think Myspace is going to chase TOS violators in foreign courts or they can do anything else besides deleting accounts to international members?

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.22 20:52, Charles Harris said:
  

  I too look forward to receiving your “Eric’s Tips”. I like your honesty and your no holds bared assessment of these off the wall programs.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.01.24 12:48, Suzanna said:
  

  Concerning the my space, I began recieveing Numerous emails about a year ago from Guru’s telling me what a great place my space was for marketing. Emails containing, “Don’t miss this Great marketing opportunity”! What opportunity, most of the kids are in their early and mid-teens. I too have an account just to snoop around, mostly to see what kids are allowed to post. It is unbelievable what is on some of their site. Showing drug use, drunken parties and pictures with weapons. I personally am appalled. It is no wonder that it is a pedifiles paradise. Telephone numbers and addresses are shown right there, if the kids do not know how to privacy protect some of that information. I blatently refuse to be a part of that site. I will continue to market in an honest and moral way. Always I wish the best to You, Eric and your family! Cheers and God Bless

  [Reply]
• At 2007.02.13 16:13, Darryn Summers said:
  

  I too have signed up to MySpace, but was shocked by some of the “members” profiles. I really don’t think “porn stars” should be allowed a space on what is meant to be a community site. Fair enough things like that are in every community, but they are generally kept behind closed doors, so the community as a whole is protected. MySpace fails to do that……

  My site opened 2 days ago

  [Reply]
• At 2007.02.16 17:07, Bill said:
  

  Eric, thanks for having ethics and being one of the honest ones out there. I too have been getting hit with ads promoting marketing on My Space. Upon checking it out I had some serious questions. Thanks!!

  [Reply]
• At 2007.02.19 23:52, Ross Goldberg said:
  

  The information here is well known by those that use Myspace to market products and affiliate links. The bottom line is that Myspace doesn’t enforce most of their own rules. I’m NOT recommending you create 10 thousand profiles and spam all of the members of Myspace, but if done properly marketing YOURSELF on Myspace can be great.

  Myspace is a great site for branding, if you want to be honest about your business. I know of a course that shows you how to become a celebrity on myspace (not spam every member). Check out http://www.myspacemastership.com (non-affiliate link). It’s helpful with giving a better understanding of the RIGHT way to use Myspace.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.02.20 00:55, JRE said:
  

  I guess I will be thinking again about doing anything on Myspace in regards to marketing.

  [Reply]
• At 2007.03.20 08:35, Mike said:
  

  I have a myspace.com/mikesfreetraffic site which is used for advertising my websites and opportunities and I love it as many people have requested further information and 5 people have signed-up to my opportunities also the messaging system is excellent quick and direct

  I have had solicitations from singles but this is all taken in fun and regardless of this fact it is another contact.

  I feel that this and directmatches are excellent prospecting sites

  Just thought i would redress the balance of this thread

  [Reply]
• At 2007.08.12 16:38, Gloria Rubin said:
  

  Hi, Eric:

  I found your website while I was in the PushButtonPublishing Forum today (8/12/07). I read most of the replies to your blog about MySpace, and noticed the accolades most of the people gave you. I’m signing up for your newsletter right now!

  Gloria Rubin
  My name in PBPublishing Forum: glomur

  P.S.: I’m brand new to IM, and am very glad I signed up for PBP (a few days ago).

  [Reply]
• At 2007.09.11 18:28, Elena said:
  

  okay, i didn’t read all of your opinions on myspace,
  but I do agree on how the provocative ads on myspace, and spam are comepletly annoying.
  I feel that myspace can be a very good thing .
  Meeting new people, and catching up with lost friends is great.
  So dont hate on myspace just because you can only get “TOM” as a friend.
  lol.
  But anyways , to me your making myspace out to be a very bad, and annoying site, but that’s your opinion
  and no one really cares.
  your anger towards myspace is pointless.
  thanx.

  [Reply]
• At 2009.06.08 00:43, Carlito LeGuinzia said:
  

  Just wanted to say that I really liked your blog & Thanks for keeping it on point!

  [Reply]
• At 2009.06.08 01:01, Cheing Le said:
  

  I found your blog on my search engine and wanted to let you know that I like it! I just added you to my bookmarks. Really Impressive Stuff Here. I’m Looking forward to reading more of your posts in the future. Thanks Again - Chuck

  [Reply]
• At 2009.07.10 18:46, Anonymous said:
  

  good article that is exactly why my wife and i got rid of our my space accounts.
  nice article again

  [Reply]