MySpace Skins
While tricks and graphics dress up your Myspace page, it's the Myspace skins that give it its character. For the
uninitiated, the term Myspace skins is just a name for the overall layout of your page. Depending on which of the many
Myspace skins you choose, it may include: background color, background graphics, taglines and borders.
Another way of thinking about Myspace skins is to consider them as themes. They're the unifying factor on your Myspace page,
the glue that holds it all together.
So how to go about choosing your Myspace skins? Well, you can obviously only choose one at a time! But choosing one doesn't
mean you're locked into it forever. You can change as often as you like.
Here are the two basic rules for selecting skins that will enhance your page and make it a place that people will want to
stop and look at.
1) Less is more. The whole idea of a Myspace page is to create a space that is yours, and that people will want to visit on
a somewhat-frequent basis. That means that your page has to be screen-friendly. Looking at a computer screen is a big drain
on the eyes, and a busy layout with graphics and text all over the place and mixed together makes it much worse. You don't
want to choose a background with so much crammed into it that it makes your eyes flutter. Stick to layouts that are more
streamlined, and add character to your page without cluttering it up. Try to preview before you add it to your page, to make
sure that it doesn't obscure or interfere with any of your text. Some things to look for are: clearly defined borders,
easy-to-read text areas (usually with contrasting colors, i.e. dark on light or vice versa), background graphics that are
easily recognized but don't overpower the rest of the page.
2) You are what your page is. For better or for worse, your Myspace page is a reflection of who you are and what you're
interested in.
Think about that when you choose a skin. If you're the collegiate, preppy type, don't choose a skin with a
heavy metal look, no matter how streamlined it is or how much you love the colors. People who know you will think it's
weird, and people who don't will get the wrong message. Choose colors and graphics that match your personality, and don't be
afraid to show the real you. If you like flowers and ribbons and the feminine touch, don't hesitate to choose a flowerly,
ribbony, feminine skin. If you're an animal lover, go ahead and choose a different animal skin each week.
Your Myspace page
is your opportunity to be individual - not in the sense of going against the flow, but in the sense of being who you are.
It's a vehicle for self-expression.
A word of caution about this, though. As much as you want to express yourself, don't do it at other people's expense. Keep
in mind that lots of different people are going to be looking at your page, and it's worthwhile to avoid language and
expressions that society tends to consider offensive. Contrary to what some might think, it will only cost you visitor
traffic, not gain you any. A corollary of this is that if you choose a skin that is provocative and/or includes explicit
language (none of those here), you're giving off a not-so-subtle message about your personal availability - and people may
leave you messages in kind that you might not appreciate. So even if you think that it is not a big deal, remember that
people who visit your page see it as a reflection of you - and be careful.