The first of many social networking sites, MySpace stands out from the crowd with its plethora of sub-divided resources such as the MySpace books pages. This website is far from just a chatter board for teens; you'll also find dedicated professionals committed to promoting and bettering their trade, and a large population that is usually willing and ready to participate in research or polls.

MySpace books is an effective barometer for who and what much of America is reading. Information gleaned here can help you target your advertising to key demographics or to advertise your own book-related products. While it may not be the most obvious business tool, there are in fact a number of ways that MySpace books can help you promote your business:

1. Use MySpace books as a barometer for both America's social consciousness and its attention span.

2. Find authors in the MySpace book groups to contribute to business projects.

3. Find books to use as business gifts.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start your MySpace books experience out right

While you don't need a MySpace account to browse through much of the information about books available on MySpace, you do need an account to take the fullest advantage of the networking services available through MySpace.

I recommend: Use the MySpace sign-up page to create an account and begin forming your online profile, then surf over to the MySpace literature forum to check out the latest conversations from book enthusiasts, whether they be potential customers, clients or employees. This is also a good place to ask for MySpace books help if you need it.

Find MySpace books that are relevant to your business goals

MySpace features information about a variety of books, both traditionally published and self-published, as well as authors both published and aspiring.

I recommend: Use the MySpace books page to catch up on the most recent and popular books and authors. If you're in the publishing industry or cater to those who are, you may find that insight into how certain books were created, such as Jeff Pearlman's "Boys Will Be Boys," will give you an extra business edge.

Fill up on MySpace books information

MySpace's strength is in its ability to let you form connections, some of them quite novel. Once you start browsing MySpace, books advice and information will come rolling in from all sorts, and you'll be able to wade through the pile and pick what's most useful to you with just a few mouse clicks.

I recommend: Visit the MySpace literature and art groups to tap into ongoing discussions or create your own; this will give you a chance to join and contribute to--or eavesdrop on--groups such as the MySpace book club.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Even if you're not in the business of buying or selling books, you can profit by paying to advertise your business on the MySpace books page if you can link your products or services to popular books or book themes.