I have a PC - new client who has sent me a list of the social networking accounts he would like me to manage for him and one of them is MySpace which I don't really see as something we should be spending a lot of time on. I want to explain to him that it will be a waste of money and time to focus on updating that site and that he should really be on Linkedin which he is not yet, and FB which he is on but has done nothing with.

Any suggestions on how I can professionally communicate this without sounding condesending which is how I feel each time I start the reply email

I just did a google search, 'myspace is dead' and 'myspace replaced by facebook' and found several articles including this one that you can use to send to your client or at least summarize for your client http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives...growing_up.php

MySpace is still quite the rage for musicians and the entertainment industry. But many have both Facebook and MySpace pages as well as YouTube accounts.

I think an explanation with some of the facts regarding the numbers on FB and other sites would be an ample explanation you can give to the client.

If however, he would like a MySpace page well then why not open one up for him? Over time he can see that his network will grow on the other sites and he may drop MySpace.

Janine

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Thank you Janine, I will read through the articles and think about including them in my reply.

He has a MySpace page already but he is not in the entertainment business, he's a CPA. He wants me to add items to the page that he thinks would be of interest to his prospects but I have to wonder how many of his prospects are going to try to connect with ihm on a site like that?? I don't want to offend him or be unhelpful but I believe that the money he'll be spending with me would be better put toward sites that are more active and modern.

I like your idea of putting together some numbers and will do that as well. Thank you!

Janine has given you good advice. Perhaps with your researched explanation your client will not give you the resistance you are expecting. I once heard a speaker say, "if you have to swallow a frog, don't look at him too long".

Mary

My thoughts: If the client wants this done, I would do it. Sure, there are a lot of reasons one could come up with to not be on MySpace, but if he wants a presence there, then why not? As time goes on he will come to understand where his marketing efforts should be targeted.

Definitely get him going with LinkedIn and any other social media that would help his business that he's not currently using.

Just my wee lil 2 cents.

My youngest son is on MS, but he owns a tattoo shop, so I hear what Janine is saying about musicians and entertainment industries - I'd add artists to that list.

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

I am with Jules, if this is what the client wants then go ahead and give it to them. Then in time they will see what is working and what is not. You then will have a more persuasive point of what they should be focusing their time on.

If he caters to the arts folks then this may be for him. Or perhaps he has built up enough of a community that he feels the need to be there. Whatever his reason, give it a few months and then present your case.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

I also agree with Jules. You can advise that myspace is outdated and your time would be better spent on other sites. But in the end- it's his money and business. If he wants to keep up with the myspace, do so until he realizes it's not that productive and move on from there. Maybe he just needs some facts to back up what you are saying to convert him!

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Amy
www.porterofficesolutions.com

I think it depends on what your client expects of you. Did he hire you because he considers you an expert in social media or just because he needs help with his social media management? If they chose you because they feel you're more knowledgeable about social media, than I think they would want you to point out that MySpace is no longer (if it ever was) a viable marketing venue for professional businesses. Of course, if he's looking to be CPA to struggling bands, it may work for him.

For many of my clients, the reason they've hired me is not only for my ability to help them with tasks, but for my knowledge of technology and applications as well. They will often ask for my opinion and I always try to steer them in a direction that will work best for them and their business.

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~Tina Marie Hilton of Clerical Advantage
& founder of VA Survival School

Gee, I just re-read my post and realized it sounded a little snarky about those on MySpace. I didn't intend it that way, I know quite a few bands and artists that use it. I just meant that for a majority of businesses it's not going to gain them much. I did a post on it a while back that states my thoughts in a much less snarky manner.

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~Tina Marie Hilton of Clerical Advantage
& founder of VA Survival School

Found this article and thought I would link it here. Still gearing toward the music industry, but might make myspace dwindle even more.

http://bit.ly/9olXDJ

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Amy
www.porterofficesolutions.com