AdAge reports that Jeff Newelt is into MySpace. Within the social network, he's known as "JahFurry," has 1,817 friends and is a typical MySpace user. In real life, the 34-year-old New Yorker is a public-relations specialist with clients including Samsung Electronics.
While many think of MySpace simply as an online teen-socializing site, grown-ups are using the social-networking behemoth in ever-increasing numbers for networking, marketing and trend-watching. Today more than 22 million adults aged 35 and older use MySpace, and more than 60 percent of unique visitors are older than 25, according to comScore Networks.
But they're not just there for recipe swapping and travel tips. Like Mr. Newelt, they're also doing business. While traditional corporate fare is out, as MySpace has rules against commercial ventures, there is plenty of room for nontraditional marketing and creative business strategy.
As an example, I personally maintain a MySpace Profile page that I have used effectively to help me understand how emerging Indie entertainment talent is applying the social networking site for online self-promotion.
While many think of MySpace simply as an online teen-socializing site, grown-ups are using the social-networking behemoth in ever-increasing numbers for networking, marketing and trend-watching. Today more than 22 million adults aged 35 and older use MySpace, and more than 60 percent of unique visitors are older than 25, according to comScore Networks.
But they're not just there for recipe swapping and travel tips. Like Mr. Newelt, they're also doing business. While traditional corporate fare is out, as MySpace has rules against commercial ventures, there is plenty of room for nontraditional marketing and creative business strategy.
As an example, I personally maintain a MySpace Profile page that I have used effectively to help me understand how emerging Indie entertainment talent is applying the social networking site for online self-promotion.