Facebook versus Myspace
I am of the “I’ll try anything” PR wise point of view. Especially if it’s a) free and b) I don’t have to travel.
Myspace came first and once I got my Myspace page going, it sort of became self-operating in that I never went out and sought friends, they came to me. 
This worked well for me because to this day I can’t figure out how to find people on Myspace. 
It’s easy to log on and OK friends. I fall down on answering mail there, but it’s getting better. I’ve begun to do bulletins and add some of our plotmonkey blogs on my Myspace blog to bring readers into our jungle world. It’s going well. 
One day on my Carly Phillips Yahoo Fan Group (another thing that I fall down on and it’s really not active which I feel bad about), someone asked me if I’d join Facebook. So I did. For a long time, I would forget to log onto my Facebook site and when I did, I’d be confused about what I saw there. Someone sent me a Zombie invitation. HUH? 
So I went about my business on Myspace, virtually ignoring Facebook. Thank goodness they send those annoying email reminders (which you can disable but I don’t or I’d forget about the site altogether!) … and then, recently a funny thing happened: I began to get more FRIEND requests on Facebook. 
They were from other authors, so I did what any smart author would do, as I became their friend and was allowed to see their profile, I’d check out their friends – which is more manageable on Facebook than Myspace it seems. For some reason people have less friends on Facebook than Myspace – maybe because Facebook is more about “real” friends? I don’t know.And I’d add them to my Friends.
I learned that Facebook can be fun. I’ve been “toilet papered” and “trout slapped” and someone threw a sheep at me. I can throw a sheep right back. Time sucking? You betcha! 
But still fun. 
But then I realized something else: ALL MY FACEBOOK FRIENDS are other authors! Or most of them. Not readers. 
Which leads me to a question:
For authors, is Facebook more of a social/personal site and Myspace more of a meet strangers therefore more of a PR site? For readers/bloggers who are in some way familiar with these sites, what do you think the answer is?
Which site do you prefer and why?
Funny, Carly–I have Myspace for more of a promo “business” thing, and intentionally don’t have my family members as “friends.” Whereas my Facebook is strictly personal, friends and family only. I never accept friend invitations from anybody I don’t personally know.
I need some place to “hang out” and feel like it can be safe for my family members’ identities to be private.
Comment by Leslie — March 17, 2008 @ 6:13 am
Les, what I do like about Facebook is that profiles remain private unless your friends friend that person, so if you see my daughter, you can’t view her page completely. But what you’re saying is along the lines of what I think/am finding!
And each have nice features. I found “flog blog” on Facebook and now plotmonkeys automatically gets sent there each day via RSS feed! No extra work!
Comment by Carly — March 17, 2008 @ 6:18 am
It’s so funny that this is the topic today because I was just thinking about Facebook this weekend, and wondering if it was something I would eventually have to do.
Right now, no way!
I manage 3 myspace pages (my personal, my pen-name, my RWA online chapter) and I can’t keep up with all of those. Plus, I’m actively searching new friends and working the RWA online one heavily at this point to try to build it up and it takes sooo much time.
I’m glad to know that I’m not really missing the boat on Myface. Maybe someday I’ll get there, but I feel better now (between yours and Leslie’s comments) knowing I’m not really behind the times.
Comment by Jodie — March 17, 2008 @ 8:00 am
Myface
I knew that did’t look right!! Need Cafeinne
Comment by Jodie — March 17, 2008 @ 8:00 am
You’re on Facebook! I can’t wait to check it out. I’m just getting into facebook due to friends peer pressure. I set up a myspace but have no idea on how to use it. I definately think facebook is more personal and perhaps more “safer.” But, I also think if you mention that you’re on facebook people will check it out, as the people I know on facebook don’t use myspace. I think both have benefits for what you’re trying to.
Comment by Yolanda — March 17, 2008 @ 8:03 am
Hi everyone. Carly, I have several cousins who are currently in college and they all have Facebook pages. They tell me that Myspace is for High Schoolers pretending to be old enough to be on it (I think you are supposed to be 18 to have a Myspace page) and Facebook is for the older kids. I do have a Facebook account but not a Myspace account. Myspace seems to be a lot easier for people to post “junk” or ads in your comments section which irratates me.The only time I go on Myspace now is to check up on my step son.
And there are a lot more “fun” time sucking things on Facebook but some of them are just hilarious. I am currently on two wagons crossing the states with ox puling them. LOL!! And have been involved in a food fight.
Comment by Kelly F. — March 17, 2008 @ 8:19 am
I have a MySpace but I’ve been avoiding doing anything with Facebook, mainly because if I have to do one more thing I’ll probably explode.
But I have heard that Facebook is more book oriented, more cerebral in nature, and therefore maybe a better place for an author to put their…uhh…face. I dunno. Not there. Not going. Maybe.
Comment by Jaci Burton — March 17, 2008 @ 8:20 am
Thank you. I was wondering about the differences between the sites. My 15-year-old cousin likes MySpace better. She agreed with you about the interface. I look to her for all my ‘how to be cool’ info. (I bought her a gift from Hot Topic and got extra cool points).
Since Facebook is more social, I may give it another try. The search feature on MySpace is horrible. I use the school feature to search for old classmates. I don’t always recognize people by their screen names so, I am sure I am missing a few people.
Way too rambling.
Comment by ThatBrunette — March 17, 2008 @ 8:34 am
My daughter set me up with a MySpace and I have only logged in three times. I don’t think about it. I only wanted it to check up my my kids, but since I see them all the time when the stay logged in, I don’t have to use my account. Actually, I don’t remember my password. LOL
Comment by Patty L. — March 17, 2008 @ 9:06 am
I have a MySpace page, and use it mostly for my musical interests. They all seem to be on there- at least Paul Crook is, so I can drool when he updates the pics.
I haven’t done much with it yet, but am planning to. I should say my daughter is working on it for me.
I was wondering about Facebook and guess I will have to check it out. there are some people I have been looking for and if all my author’s are there too, well…
HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY!!
Comment by ev — March 17, 2008 @ 9:27 am
I don’t have either, so I can’t really help you. I prefer old fashioned email.
Comment by katie — March 17, 2008 @ 9:29 am
I use facebook, but haven’t tried myspace yet. My friends all sent invites to facebook, so that is the one I joined. I like that you have to accept the friend for them to see your profile. I also think it is a little bit safer for teens. My 16 year old niece has a facebook account but isn’t allowed to have a myspace account until she is 18(parent’s rules).
Facebook is a fun site. You can throw a cake at your friends and even challenge them to a quiz. Some of the different add on games are a bit much, but you can always ignore a request.
Comment by Liza — March 17, 2008 @ 9:51 am
I now have both - but I only recently got myspace :-X for contests, I’ll admit. I have a VERY STRONG preference for facebook. I generally don’t do too many things that clutter it up such as zombies and ninjas, pirates, and the endless other things. I know while facebook is now open to everyone, at first it was for university students- and therefore almost certainly everyone who joined was over 18. It was also a terrific way to find and connect with friends, and keep up with them. I really don’t like all the creepy things that myspace got publicity for, and all those pedophiles, the underages kids getting profiles… while facebook tracks a lot of what you do, there’s a way of blocking it. I also like the way facebook looks a lot more - it’s cleaner and more structured.
Comment by limecello — March 17, 2008 @ 10:03 am
Carly knows that she’d have to drag me kicking and screaming to open up a Facebook account. I have a MySpace account and can hardly keep up with that!
BTW, Carly’s internet is down right now, but she wanted me to let you all know that as soon as it’s back up again, she’ll get caught up on posts here!
Comment by Janelle — March 17, 2008 @ 11:52 am
lol Katie–that “old fashioned email” just cracked me up!
Hey, Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone! We should have a little shamrock icon! Here…at least this is green. Pretend it’s a leprochaun peeking through a wreath of shamrocks:
:wreath:
Comment by Leslie — March 17, 2008 @ 11:52 am
I have a myspace account but its private, which means unless I “friend” you, you cant see my myspace. I initially set it up so that I could keep an eye on my kids, who also have their page set as private so no strangers can access it. But honestly now that I’ve learned how to use it I really enjoy it. Its an easy way to keep in touch with friends and family that don’t live close by. I don’t have a facebook so I really can’t comment on it.
Hope everyone has a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!
Comment by Tina Martinesu — March 17, 2008 @ 12:04 pm
Here we go…
Comment by Leslie — March 17, 2008 @ 12:10 pm
Happy St. Patricks Day. i have my green on.
Carly, I don’t visit those site at all and I don’t know much about them. My kids visit, but I haven’t ventured into that teritory yet.
Comment by Gigi — March 17, 2008 @ 1:19 pm
Ok. I am on Myspace and Facebook. I still check my myspace from time to time but Facebook is a lot more fun. Not just because it’s harder to lie about your age and stuff, but because of all the applications you can pick and choose from (I’m currently obsessed - and I do mean OBSESSED - with the flair application to the point where I have spent hours making flairs) but also because of how many “famous” people are on there. I’m a fan of Kevin Smith (for those who don’t know, he’s an actor/director/author/producer), not only am I on his myspace page, but I’m also on his facebook. Facebook is also a lot easier to use (sometimes) and I don’t have to worry about little 14 year old girls trying to get on my page.
Although, I do have to say, updating my MySpace page is a lot more fun because of all the things you can do with it - unlike facebook.
Comment by Heather (Ev's Daughter) — March 17, 2008 @ 2:19 pm
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all! I thought sure that Leslie would be today’s blogger because of her Irish connection!!
:wreath: Those icons are because they are green!!! Put a smile on the “sick” face!!! 
Katie, I loved the “old-fashioned email”!!!
Ah, progress!!
I have visited MYSpace but only because an author said check it out that day. I really don’t need another bad habit, blog or something on the Internet to keep me from doing things that need to be done. A few weeks ago my computer was down for four days & I was lost & realized how much time I spend on it visiting various and asundry websites, blogs, etc.!! Don’t forget shopping, if I have money to spend!!!
I have never checked out Facebook, but now I am curious. Maybe I will ask my grandson about it. Thursday is his 19th birthday & we are going to maybe go to dinner but we are getting together, his mom also!!! Lord, I cannot believe that he will be 19. I can remember clearly the day he was born, it took me several hours to come back to earth! It was one of the best highs I have ever had. 
Comment by Donna M — March 17, 2008 @ 2:34 pm
Happy St. Paddy’s Day all…
Carly, great blog today…I was thinking about joining facebook because it seems that alot of my friends use it, but I haven’t broken down and joined yet…I do know that people who are on facebook use it for networking purposes as well as to keep in touch with former students…as far as I can tell, facebook is more user friendly and kid-friendly too…I use myspace because it is the first site of its kind that I glommed on to…I understand what you say about facebook being about finding “real” friends, but losing reader input would not be that advantageous either…it is hard to say…but I am sure some others here in the jungle will have a better response..
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment by Paula R. — March 17, 2008 @ 2:57 pm
For me Facebook is more my personal friends and myspace is about networking meeting random people.
Comment by erin — March 17, 2008 @ 2:59 pm
I am back online. Why I was offline would be a blog in and of itself! So one by one, addresing some of the comments:
3. Jodie, love the Myface comment!
5. Yolanda, hope to see you on Facebook!
8. What’s Hot Topic? Inquiring minds MUST know!
9. Patty, Facebook email reminders can be a pain, but at least you don’t forget about it!
It’s true that the Myspace search feature is awful but Facebooks is much easier!
Janelle just hates anything new … as much as I love new things. Plus, if it’s PR and more people see my books, I’m all for it!
19. Heather - what’s the flair application on Facebook?
Comment by Carly — March 17, 2008 @ 3:17 pm
Hot topic is a store that is popular with teens, their pretty much in every mall and they also have a website, http://www.hottopic.com
Comment by Tina Martinesi — March 17, 2008 @ 3:51 pm
LOL - I can’t believe I totally forgot… HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY!!!
Comment by limecello — March 17, 2008 @ 3:57 pm
Thank you, Tina! I think if my daughter knew ab out that site, I’d have been hit up to buy band shirts by now. But you never know. I coudl ask her and she’d say, DUH!
Comment by Carly — March 17, 2008 @ 5:01 pm
Hey, Carly. I think I may have been the one who tried to turn you into a zombie…& trout slapped you…& toilet papered you…& maybe threw a leprechaun at you most recently. I get kind of overly excitable over at Facebook.
I agree that lots of my friends are other authors, but I’ve got a bunch of readers, too, & many of them are folks I don’t already know from MySpace or wherever. As far as a promotional tool, I don’t know how great Facebook is, I just know I like it. Me wants friends & drinks & cookies & flowers & to occasionally bite someone on the neck to strengthen my vampire army.
You are all welcome to join me. Mwahahahahah!
Comment by Heidi Betts — March 17, 2008 @ 5:19 pm
I don’t do either. Too time consuming.
Happy St Patrick’s Day!
Comment by Estella — March 17, 2008 @ 6:01 pm
Jeez, Heidi makes it sound like it’s way too fun to miss out on! I might have to get myself over on Face Book (got it right that time) after all!
Comment by Jodie — March 17, 2008 @ 6:27 pm
Tina M - don’t know if you’ll see this or not, and I’m jumping blogs here, but you know that blanket you were talking about the other? I would have killed for it today. Kidlet had a baseball game and I’m frozen to the bone. An older lady sitting a few chairs down from me was all wrapped up in her blanket that zips up…I seriously considered beating her up and stealing the darn thing. :cold:
Comment by Jodie — March 17, 2008 @ 6:29 pm
I’M HATCHING A CELEBRITY EGG! Paula Quinn sent me a celebrity egg on Facebook which will hatch in 4 days and a mystery celeb will pop out. The more people I sent mystery celebrity eggs to, the more variety of celebs I have to choose from to send out! :fourturkeys:
Comment by Carly — March 17, 2008 @ 6:45 pm
lol Jodie that’s pretty funny!! My blanket has snaps and I really hate it
Comment by Tina Martinesi — March 17, 2008 @ 6:45 pm
I was one of the first people to join Facebook (back when only college students with a school email address could join). I loved it then and I love it now. Granted, now that I’m in the “real world” I don’t spend nearly as much time on it, but it’s still a great way to keep in contact with friends across the state and country. I’ve never even been on MySpace and I have no intention of joining. One procrastination-social-networking site is all I need!
Comment by Michelle N. — March 17, 2008 @ 7:21 pm
Thanks for the info on Facebook vs Myspace. I too found Myspace kind of hard to figure out (I’m not real computer literate) maybe I’ll check out Facebook. I like that it has that flog blog thing that you can do an RSS feed to your blog.
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh! (St. Patrick’s Day blessings upon you!) :elf: Is this a leprechan or an elf?
Comment by Beth — March 17, 2008 @ 7:48 pm
I have both and I can figure out myspace better. I have yet to figure out how to even pics and stuff on facebook.
Comment by Dina — March 17, 2008 @ 8:08 pm
I signed up with Myspace because I couldn’t participate in a blog without membership. How active is my
account? I have one friend! Am I bothered by that? Not the least, little bit!
Pat Cochran
Comment by Patricia Cochran — March 17, 2008 @ 11:24 pm
I started on My Space to watch after my younger sister who is 13 yers younger then me. So at first it was my sisters then all my cousins and then a few friends from high school not talking to many of them in 13 years then we moved to florida so a few were my old clients who’s hair i use to do and a few new people I met in Florida. all the while my husband makes fun of me calling me a teeny bopper. I never ok’d strangers because I have pictures of my kids. then I took up reading and looked up Carlyphillips.com and there was the link to myspace and it has grown since then I love reading the writers blogs. Someone new to writing seriously I actually learn alot. I’ve had authors request me to be there friends
I get excited I also have found new books to read. So Myspace works well for me I tried facebook but deleted my membership simply couldn’t keep up. 
I also won 2 books on myspace that is how I found plotmonkeys 
which I will end with I finished reading Hot Property by Carly and I loved it so everyone should get it In July. 
Comment by Michele — March 18, 2008 @ 3:44 pm
I haven’t been on facebook. I love myspace, but I think that they should do for authors what they do for music. You can search by genre and author. I have suggested this to my friend, Tom!!!! He hasn’t listen to me yet. I don’t worry about strangers on the internet.
Comment by flip — March 18, 2008 @ 4:31 pm
I tried Facebook for a very short time and was confused by it.
I’ve been on Myspace now since Dec and like it a lot. My brother and his friends (who are all in college) have Facebook pages and use it more than Myspace. I think it’s what you’re wanting to accomplish on your site. I think that Myspace lets the fans find there favorite authors easier and keeps them up on what’s happening with them.
Comment by Julie C. — March 18, 2008 @ 7:52 pm
Estella~ You’re definitely right about the time-consuming thing. Ironically, I do more & take longer when I log into Facebook, but the pages come up faster for me than they do at MySpace. (I’m still on &^%$! dial-up.) So I tend to get frustrated when I try to play around on MySpace & give up before I’ve done even half of what I planned.
Jodie~ It is fun! You can have a virtual pet & grow a virtual flower garden & all kinds of cool stuff. If you sign up, be sure to Friend me, okay? (At Facebook &/or MySpace!)
Carly~ You can send me a Hatching Celeb. Then I’ll send you one. And on & on it will go. But these days, those guys are about the hottest thing going on in my life, so I’m happy to watch them hatch.
Comment by Heidi Betts — March 18, 2008 @ 9:29 pm
According the the 23 year old CEO of facebook, Mark Zuckerburg - Facebook is a social utility. It is not meant for you to meet with people, rather it is meant to help you communicate with them.
More info? http://artoi.blogspot.com/2008/02/whats-on-your-face.html
Comment by Samantha — March 20, 2008 @ 12:47 am
Great post, Carly. Really enjoyed reading all the comments & feel like I have a better sense of the differences & opportunities. Thanks!…your Facebook friend, Isabel
Comment by Isabel — March 20, 2008 @ 7:47 am
Hot Topic is a store that gears to goths, rockers and emo people. Not just teens - I’m almost 23 and I still shop there pretty much every month. My mom shops at Torrid, which is the Hot Topic sister store. They have a website, but it’s a lot more fun going into the store. They sell t-shirts, sweat shirts, pants, skirts, uni-sex clothes, patches, pins, posters, purses, shoes etc. They don’t pay much to work there, but the discount is worth it, I’d love to work there!
Comment by Heather Mairi (Ev's daughter) — March 20, 2008 @ 8:20 pm