Secrets to Success Deborah Cole Micek and John-Paul Micek

How to use MySpace for fun and profit

MySpace is a new-media powerhouse with unlimited marketing potential. With more than 170 million active members (43 percent over the age of 40), this is a tremendous marketing opportunity for business owners who understand the basics of online persuasion.

Recently, I was working with a grandmother and showed her step-by-step how to set up her profile on MySpace. If a grandma can do it, anybody can!

In addition to the "how-to" of profile set up, I also gave her tips on what to do, and what not to do when setting up her profile. I'll share some of those tips here -- they are especially useful if you're concerned with privacy on MySpace.

» Setting up your new MySpace account: Enter MySpace.com into your Internet browser. Sign in, using your e-mail and password. Once you have an account, we recommend you use the "Remember me" feature so you never have to remember it again. Always keep a record of it.

» Sign up: Enter your e-mail address, your first and last name, and your maiden name, if applicable.

» Maintain anonymity: Don't use your real last name or use a fictitious birthday or a different town name. This maintains some integrity, but does not reveal all personal details.

» Password: When setting up a password, use random letters and numbers so that it is more difficult to figure out. Note: MySpace is susceptible to being hacked.

Now you need to set up your MySpace profile. The first time, you will want to go to My Space.com and sign in using the e-mail address with which you signed up.

Enter your password, or use your "Remember me" and log in. Then you will need to pick your MySpace URL. Remember, the URL that you decide on cannot be changed. It is your MySpace name forever. That's why this is the time to brand yourself. Create a persona, not a company profile. People are not on MySpace to get to know companies. They're there to get to know people.

The original MySpace URL begins with a bunch of numbers such as: MySpace.com/1234567. Obviously, this is not easily remembered or referred to. Of course, you could just use your name: MySpace/Your_Name. But, to prevent someone else from being you or posing as you, add another word such as "second" and lock up both variations (second, 2nd). Use the numeral as your primary URL. Once you choose your URL, confirm that it is available. Then choose your display name. You can change your DISPLAY NAME as often as you want. The Display Name and URL Name are TOTALLY different.

In our next column we will talk about editing your MySpace profile.