MySpace Tuning it Up

You know you're a social media nerd if you catch a glimpse of a headline with the word MySpace on it and jump to read the article. -----> *points at self* Oh, well. I am what I am. Hail social networking. If you were shoes, I could only love you more.

I wonder what will happen with the new interface MySpace is rolling out next week (New Face for MySpace, USA Today). According to the article, MySpace is trying to appeal to the same crowd that resisted email and text messaging by creating an easier-to-use interface. I have to say that I wonder about this tactic. Honestly it seems to me that those who "resisted" email and text messaging for the most part resist email and text messaging, and I'm not sure it's because it's complicated so much as that they think it is. It's like buying platform shoes. You may look at them but you've already decided they're uncomfortable, hard to walk in, etc. The question is how do you change perception? Creating a buzz that platform shoes are comfortable--er, that MySpace is easier. Because if the perception is there, they're not going to come and see the wonderful new, prettied up screen. Maybe they've considered this, and made it easier for people to share with non-members. We'll see. I seriously think that another, perhaps larger barrier to entry is the perception that the majority of users are teenagers and that the user-generated content is immature. There's a brand essence out there already they would have to work to change. Speaking like a person not in their early 20s, I'm just not sure I'd jump in. Facebook feels more my style. It's about convincing me that MySpace fits me, not that it's easier.