Patent Publication Number: US-2013238444-A1

Title: System and Method For Promotion and Networking of at Least Artists, Performers, Entertainers, Musicians, and Venues

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional Application No. 61/506,674 filed Jul. 12, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention generally relates to a system and method for providing a social network service for the promotion and networking of members of the social network service, and more specifically, wherein members include at least artists, performers, entertainers, musicians, and venues. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Aspiring artists, performers, entertainers, musicians, and venues currently have access to a select number of websites that provide services to facilitate promotion of artists, performers, entertainers, magicians, or venues who become members of the service. However, such services fail to maximize promotional exposure of their members. 
     Recently, there has been an explosion in social networking The most popular social networks of today are expansive and free, some having in excess of 350 million members. However, there is a need in the art to harness the influence of social networking to specific groups or activities. Specifically, there is a need to have a social network service designed to maximize promotional exposure of artists, performers, entertainers, musicians, and venues. 
     The present invention discloses a system and a method for the promotion and networking of end users such as artists, performers, entertainers, musicians, and venues. A social network service is provided which provides, inter alia, a means for the end users to become members of the social network service. A server is also provided wherein the server hosts the social network service. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic diagram of the architecture for the system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a chart of the web page hierarchy for the social network service of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  shows a logical flow chart for a means for the end users to become members of the social network service, and a means for members to upload media files to the social network service of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  shows a logical flow chart of a means in which members may request or search for other members of the social network service of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2C  shows a logical flow chart of a means in which members navigate audio files according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2D  shows a logical flow chart of a means in which members may navigate video files according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2E  shows a logical flow chart for a means for the end users to view web shows and add web shows to a queue. 
         FIG. 2F  shows a logical flow chart for a means in which members may view miscellaneous information of the social networking service. 
         FIG. 3  shows a screen capture of a homepage of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  shows a screen capture of a homepage for a member who is an entertainer, and a homepage for a member who is a venue. 
         FIG. 5  shows a logical flow chart of a means in which members may browse for media content and add content to a playlist. 
         FIG. 6  shows a screen capture of a page whereby members may search other members of the social network service. 
         FIG. 7  shows a logical flow chart of a means in which members may search and track artists. 
         FIG. 8  shows a logical flow chart of a means in which members may search for media files and add media files to a playlist. 
         FIG. 9  shows a screen capture of a page whereby the social network service provides a means for members to upload audio and video files to the server. 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  show screen captures of homepages for an audio file and a video file, respectively. 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  show screen captures of a page providing a means by which a member may access audio files and video files, respectively, of other members by utilizing a search tool. 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  show a logical flow chart of how to navigate the through the homepages of members who are venues, and a screen capture of a homepage of a member who is classified as a venues, respectively. 
         FIG. 13  shows a screen capture of a main page of the social network service of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 14A and 14B  show respectively, a logical flow chart and screen capture of a means for members to provide a broadcast of at least one live event whereby the broadcast is accessible by other members of the social network service. 
         FIG. 15  shows a logical flow chart of a means in which artist members may enter into a music contest. 
         FIG. 16  shows a logical flow chart of a means in which members may transfer media files to another member&#39;s homepage. 
         FIG. 17  shows a logical flow chart of a means in which members may create a playlist on a member&#39;s homepage. 
         FIG. 18  shows a logical flow chart of a means in which artist members may enter information into a new feed. 
         FIG. 19  shows a logical flow chart for the directed advertisement system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  shows a computer generated report provided to advertisers. 
         FIG. 21  shows a computer generated report provided to an artist member informing them of the demographic information of listeners broken down by media file. 
         FIG. 22  shows a logical flow chart for creating mainstream artist radio station play and for correlating mainstream artists with artist members. 
         FIG. 23  shows a logical flow chart for compiling fan member information and supplying that fan member information to artist members. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a system  10  is provided according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Typically, a plurality of end users  12  access the system  10  through a plurality of remote terminals  14 . Suitable examples of remote terminals  14  include, but are not limited to, personal computers, portable phones, portable computers, wireless devices and the like. Through each remote terminal  14 , the end users  10  typically access a local computer network  16  which in turn connects each of the remote terminals  14  to a computer network, such as the Internet  18 . Each end user  12  may connect a remote terminal  14  to the Internet  18  according to any other suitable manner not specifically described herein. Traditionally, end users  12  communicate with the Internet  18  using a software application known in the art as a web browser. 
     A social network service  20  is provided for the end users. The social network service  20  comprises a plurality of related web pages containing digital information which an end user  12  may view from the remote terminal  14 . Specifically, end users  12  interact with the social network service  20  from the remote terminal  14  by using the web browser and the Internet  18 . 
     A server  22  accessible through the Internet  18  hosts the social network service  20 . The server  22  is typically a machine or plurality of machines which communicate through the Internet  18  to respond to requests from or initiate commands to the remote terminal  14  of the end user  12 . The server  22  also stores and relays electronic information provided by members of the social network service  20 . Specifically, the electronic information provided by each member is accessible over the server  22  by other members of the social network service  20 . It is to be appreciated that the server  22  may be any suitable type, including, but not limited to, any combination of proxy servers, cloud servers, mail servers, and the like. The server  22  maybe internally or externally connected to at least one database. Further, the recitation of a first database and a second database does not necessarily require that such databases are separate from one another, either with respect to the data storage location(s), device(s) and/or structure(s). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2A , the social network service  20  provides a means for the end users  12  to become members of the social network service  20 . Typically, the end users  12  input information, such as the name of the end user  12 , to register to the social network service  20 . After registration, the end user  12  becomes a member and may access the social network service  20  as a member at any given time thereafter. The social network service  20  may be free to members. Alternatively, the social network service  20  may require a fee from its members. 
     According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the members of the social network service  20  include at least artists, performers, entertainers, musicians, talent agents, record labels or venues. It is to be appreciated that the present invention may include other types of members not specifically recited herein. Furthermore, the members may include individuals, businesses, or corporations. The social network service  20  typically enables end users  12  to define a user name by which the end user  12  will be identified by other members of the social network service  20 . For example, an individual musician may become a member of the social network service  20  under a user name “John Doe.” Similarly, a corporation or business which owns a theater may become a member of the social network service under a user name “John Doe&#39;s Music Theater,” for example. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 3 , the social network service  20  provides a means for each member to create and maintain a homepage  24  after registering. A homepage  24  is web page or series of web pages dedicated to a particular entity, such as a member, a media file, a venue, or a company. In the preferred embodiment, each fan member, each artist member, each media file, each venue and each company may have their own home page. According to one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , homepages  24  belonging to artists, performers, entertainers, musicians, and venues may provide additional and/or different features as compared to homepages  24  belonging to members who are not artists, performers, entertainers, musicians, and venues. For instance, a homepage of a musician may provide other members with information specifically geared towards other musicians such as musician information, musician posts, or the like. The homepage  24  provides a medium by which a member may effectively network and promote skills, services, and the like. A member may provide electronic information in various forms on their homepage  24 . The electronic information provided by a member on a homepage  24  includes, but is not limited to, text and media files. The electronic information provided on a member&#39;s homepage  24  may include a profile, real time comments provided by the member, and demographic information. Applicant wishes to define demographic information as including, name, age, sex, geographic location, interests and entertainment preferences. Furthermore, the homepage  24  may include artist tracking, news feeds, personalized feeds of updates provided by friends, and the like. The homepage  24  of an artist member may include information about their band, pictures, upcoming tour information, such as, show dates, locations and the like. 
     A member may configure electronic information provided on the homepage  24  of the member to be publicly accessible to all other members of the social network service  20 . Alternatively, a member may configure electronic information provided on the homepage  24  of the member to be accessible only to other members of the social network service  20  to whom the member has granted access. Specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 2B , access may be granted once a member and another member become “friends.” The term “friends” is broadly construed to include any form of association, personal or remote, between two members. After a member becomes “friends” with another member, a connection is established between the two members over the social network service  20 . Specifically, a member who is a “friend” with another member is privileged to at least, view updates made to electronic information on the homepage  24  of the other member, and access to a “friends” list of the other member. It is to be appreciated that privileges of “friends” are not limited to privileges recited herein. Furthermore, the present application contemplates members who are not “friends” to be entitled to privileges described herein and privileges not directly recited herein. 
     One method in which a member and another member may become “friends” is through a search. In particular, a member may search and find another member who has a homepage  24  that the member is interested in viewing. For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 2B , the social network service  20  may provide a means for members to search other members. Once a member desires to initiate a connection between another member, the member may send an electronic request to add the other member as a “friend.” Once the other member accepts the electronic request, the other member will appear on the “friends” list of the member. Members of the social network service  20  may send electronic requests to any other members. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the social network service  20  may be configured to allow homepages  24  belonging specifically to artists, performers, entertainers, musicians, and venues to always be publicly accessible to all other members of the social network service  20 , while homepages  24  not belonging to artists, performers, entertainers, musicians, and venues to be accessible only to other members of the social network service  20  to which the member has granted access. It is to be appreciated that other configurations of private and/or public accessibility to homepages  24  are contemplated by the present invention. 
     The present application further contemplates a plurality of other features. For instance, members who have been added as a “friend” with another member may remove the other member as a “friend” thereby ultimately removing the other member from the friend list of the member. Furthermore, the present invention contemplates a means to allow a member to suggest a second member as a friend to a third member. In addition, the present invention contemplates the use of an algorithm to determine and suggest to a member which other members, if any, the member may be interested in meeting. Still another aspect of the present invention provides a means to categorize friends in a meaningful way. For instance, a member may categorize all friends that are venues. Alternatively, a member may categorize friends according to which members are “favorite,” or preferred friends of the member. 
     Media files which may be provided by members of the social network service  20  on the members homepage  24  include, but are not limited to, photos, audio files, and video files. Photos may be for promotional purposes. For example, a venue may provide several photos of the venue to allow other members to determine whether the venue is appropriate for their purposes. Furthermore, photos may be organized or categorized into photo albums. It is to be appreciated that photos may be used for other purposes not specifically described herein. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2C , the social network service  20  provides a means by which members may navigate audio files. In addition, a member may provide an audio file on a homepage  24  of the member. The exemplary purpose for providing audio files on a homepage  24  is for promotional purposes. For example, an aspiring musician may want other members to preview an album produced by the aspiring musician. Likewise, a comedian may provide an audio file of a recent comedic performance to appeal to other members. However, audio files provided on the homepage  24  of the member need not be limited to the work of each respective member. Said differently, members may provide audio files from any source. Furthermore, the purpose of providing audio files on a homepage  24  may be for other purposes not specifically described herein. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2D , the social network service  20  provides a means by which members may navigate video files. In addition, a member may provide a video file on a homepage  24  of the member. The exemplary purpose for providing video files on a homepage  24  is also for promotional purposes. For example, an aspiring artist may want other members to review a plurality of paintings painted by the aspiring artist. Likewise, a rock band may provide a video file of a music video recently created by the rock band. Video files provided on the homepage  24  need also not be limited to the work of each respective member. Said differently, members may provide video files from any source. Furthermore, the purpose of providing video files on a homepage  24  may be for other purposes not specifically described herein. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 9 , the social network service  20  provides a means for members to upload audio and video files to the server  22 . Once uploaded, the audio and video files may be accessed from the social network service  20  in any manner known in the art. For example, the audio files and video files may be streamed such that the audio or video file is constantly received by and presented to a member while being delivered by a streaming provider. Alternatively, the audio file or video file may be downloaded using any suitable method. In addition, the homepage  24  may provide updates regarding audio and video files. Such updates may include new audio or video files provided by other members, changes in popularity of the audio or video file, and the like. It is to be appreciated that updates regarding audio and video files may be presented in any suitable manner on the social network service  20  including, but not limited to, while searching for audio or video files, or while searching for other members. 
     Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the present invention further provides an audio file page and a video file page. In addition to the audio file page and the video file page, each individual audio or video file may have its own respective homepage  24 . The present invention contemplates a method by which members may provide artists with real time, or near real time comments with respect to media files provided on either a homepage  24  of the media file, or a homepage  24  of a member. The purpose of comments may be for criticism, general discussion, and the like. The present invention further provides a rating system for media files. Specifically, members may vote or input a value with respect to an audio file or video file provided on the homepage  24  of a member. The social network service  20  may aggregate votes or values inputted for the media file in order to produce a total or average. The social media network service  20  may also compile demographic information of the commenting members and a song counter to keep track of the number of plays for a particular media file. The social network service  20  may use the total or average comments, rating information, play counter and compiled demographic information, collectively the feedback, to compare other media files to one another for promotional purposes and the like as shown in  FIG. 23 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 23 , the social network service  20 , at  104  can provide a social network service  20  for members  12  to upload a plurality of information, including fan member demographic information. At  106 , the service  20  can provide an interface for artist members to upload media files and an interface for fan members to play and rate media files of various artist members. The service  20  at  108  can organize fan member demographic information and fan member rating information. This organized information can be supplied to artist members in whole or in part by the service  20  at  110 . 
     The social media network  20  may provide to artist members the feedback in order to better inform the artist members about their fan base. In one embodiment, the feedback may be compiled into individual reports  88  as shown in  FIG. 21 . The reports  88  as shown in  FIG. 21  are organized by media file and provide artist members with demographic information, a map showing where fans live, royalties received from downloads, and a mainstream artist column. The mainstream artist column provides a drop down list of mainstream artists which are similar to the artist member. The list is sorted by relevance so that the most similar artist is displayed at the top. Armed with this information artist will be able to better market themselves to their audience and performance venues, and more efficiently grow their fan base. 
     The present invention envisions paying royalties to its artist members for their audiovisual works uploaded on the social network service  20 . The royalties are based on number of plays or downloads of the works by members on the social network service  20 . 
     The social network service  20  provides a means by which a member may access audio files and video files of other members by utilizing a search tool  44 . The search tool  44  allows members to search for media files by inputting search criteria. Search criteria may include, but is not limited to, member user name, member interests, media file title, genre, or any other suitable information. Search criteria may be specific to artists, performers, entertainers, musicians, and venues. The social network service  20  may provide search results uncovered as a result of the search criteria inputted by a member. The search results may provide a link to access the media files uncovered during the search. Specifically, the link may provide a connection to a page dedicated to the media file, or alternatively, to a homepage  24  of a member who has provided the electronic information. A member may also transfer electronic information uncovered during a search to the homepage  24  of the member. In addition, a member may listen or view electronic information uncovered during a search directly from the search results. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates one possible way of using search tool  44 . A user  12  goes to the main page  26  at  46 . From the main page  26  a user  12  can type in a song name into the search bar as shown at  48 . Next to user  12  can click on the song name and proceed at  50  or the user can click play button at  60 . If the user clicks on song name the service  20  can take the user to the audio file page at  52 . At the audio file page a user can select add to play list button as shown at  54 . After selecting the add button the service  20  transfers the audio file to the user&#39;s  12  homepage  24  as shown at  56  and  58 . If at  48  the user  12  instead clicks the play button at  60  the service  20  can play the selected song in a media player as shown at  62 .  FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate exemplary screen shots of the audio file search page and the video file search page. 
     According to an embodiment of the present application, the social network service  20  provides members with a means to stream musical works through a radio station play mode. A radio station is a compilation of musical works chosen by the social network service host based on certain parameters. The parameters could be genre, artist, album, era and geographic location of the artist. The present application envisions the radio station musical works to comprise both popular mainstream works and artist member works. In radio station play mode members chose a radio station from a plurality of provided radio station choices. Once members select a radio station, the social network service  20  transmits the electronic media files from an electronic database to a member&#39;s remote terminal  12  via a computer network  18 . Members have the ability to rate and comment on musical works during radio station play. The social network service can store and organize this information to determine which specific mainstream artists a fan member likes and to determine a fan member&#39;s general musical preference. The correlation of mainstream media and artist member media is done in a computer implemented program of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,962,482 which is incorporated by reference herein. A flow chart of this process is illustrated in  FIG. 22 . The social network service  20  at  90  can provides an interface for artist members to upload media fileS and an interface for fan members to play and rate media files of various artist members. The service  20  at  92  can receives mainstream artist media files that can be used to create a plurality of radio stations. The service  20  can sort the mainstream artist media and create a plurality of radio stations at  94 . The service  20  can transmit artist media files stored in a radio station to fan members upon request as is show at  96 . The service  20  at  98  can provide an interface for rating mainstream artist media files. The rating of mainstream artist media files allows the service  20  to determine which mainstream artist a fan member likes and does not like. At  100 , the service  20  can correlate mainstream artists and artist member based on fan member ratings. After correlating, the service  20  can supply artist members with the correlation information so that artist members can determine their fans music preferences as is shown at  102 . This fan member information can be provided to the artist members to inform them of the musical preferences of their fans. This information can be added to the feedback information described previously and incorporated into an artist member&#39;s feedback report  88  as shown in  FIG. 21 . The present application envisions the periodic playing of artist member works based on the fan member&#39;s musical preferences. The present application also envisions radio station play mode to include the periodic playing of advertisements. The advertisements can either be global advertisement or targeted advertisement as described herein. 
     According to an embodiment of the present application a computer system is used to implement a method for informing artist members about which mainstream artists their fans like. The method uses a computer implemented program to stream media files of both artist members and mainstream artists to fan members upon request and to allow fan members to rate each media file. A computer implemented program then compiles the fan member ratings by fan member for both mainstream artist and artist members. The compiled fan member ratings are then correlated based on fan member ratings. The correlated data can be used to inform artist member of which mainstream artist they sound like and inform artist member of the mainstream artist their fans like. This information is very useful, for example it could allow artist members to determine which artist they should tour with. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the homepages  24  of members who are classified as venues may be searched and visited through an interface. Specifically, the interface is provided to allow a gateway for artists, performers, entertainers, and musicians to effectively communicate and network with venues. Specifically, the interface is a web page that enables members to search venues according to specific search criteria. Alternatively, the web page may enable promotion of select venues by the social network service  20  on the web page. A member may enter the homepage  24  of the venue by selecting the venue from the interface. The homepage  24  of the venue may display a list of members who are artists, performers, entertainers, or musicians who will perform at the venue in the future. A member may access the homepage  24  of any of the members scheduled to perform at the venue in the future. In addition, the homepage  24  may provide updates from venues relating to changes in the venue, upcoming performances at the venue, and the like. As such, the social network service  20  provides an integrated structure designed to enable artists, performers, entertainers, and musicians to easily and effectively network with and promote to venues. 
     As described above, a member may access electronic information, such as media files, of other members through a variety of means provided by the social network service  20 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , a member may transfer media files from the homepage  24  of another member who provided the media file to the homepage  24  of the member who desires the media file. As used herein, the word “transfer” does not necessarily signify a relocation of a media file. Specifically, “transfer” is broadly contemplated as creating a link between the media file on the homepage  24  of the other member who provided the media file and the homepage  24  of the member who searched for the media file. Allowing transfer of media files enables members of the social network service  20  to promote their work across the social network service  20  to other members effectively. Furthermore, each time a media file that has been transferred from a homepage  24  is played, web traffic to and from the homepage  24  is increased. As such, there remains an opportunely to implement advertising schemes that, in return for increased web traffic, pay for screen space on the homepage  24 . 
     The social network service  20  provides the social network service host with a significant amount of member information including but not limited to member demographic information, member comments, artist ratings and fan member tracking information. This information is highly valuable for advertising purposes. As illustrated in  FIG. 19 , the member information can be compiled and categorized to create a member characteristic profile. As illustrated in  FIG. 19  at  76 , the system  10  provides a social network service  20  for members or users  12  to upload a plurality of information to be stored in a data base. The service  20  can then compile member information at  78 . The service provider at  80  can create member characteristic profiles. At  82  the service can receive form advertisers desired target customers. The service  20  can then match advertisements to the members  12  based on the member&#39;s characteristic profile and targeted customers of the particular advertisement as shown at  84 . 
     This correlation is done in a computer implemented program of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,962,482 which is incorporated by reference herein adapted to match advertiser target customers with fans of artist member media. The member characteristic profile is a collection of member information arranged in a format to allow advertisers to determine suitable targets for advertisements. In one embodiment the characteristic profile could include fan member demographic information and fan member rating information for both artist members and mainstream artist. The member characteristic profile can be used to match specific advertisements to members based on the advertiser&#39;s desired target customer. Unlike conventional advertising, where advertisers either guess at possible targets or place advertisements globally in hope of reaching targets, the guess work is minimized. This approach has many advantages for both the host and the advertisers. For example, it increases efficient use of advertising space as compared to global advertising by displaying different advertisements on different member home pages based on member characteristic profiles. Alternatively, different audio advertisement can be played to different members based on member characteristic profiles. This allows the web site host to charge a higher rate per advertisement. This method is also more cost effective for advertisers because it allows them to only pay for advertisements that are displayed to members that meet a targeted demographic. According to one embodiment the social network service  20  can provide a periodic report  86  to advertisers summarizing the advertising activities for a given time period. The report  86  shown in  FIG. 20  can include, impressions, clicks, click through rate, and sell through. The report  86  shown in  FIG. 20  can be broken down by artist. For example an advertiser could only view advertisement statistics for fan members who like a particular artist or alternatively they can view by all artists. The advertisers can manipulate the report  86  by changing the artist using the artist dropdown as shown in  FIG. 20 . 
     According to an embodiment of the present application a computer system is used to implement a method for preforming the targeted advertising as described above. The method would implement a computer system to host a social network service and enable fan members to input content such as demographic information and media file ratings. A computer implemented program would then create a characteristic profile for each member. A computer implemented program would then compile all of the member information into a characteristic profile, match the characteristic profile to the provided advertiser target customer, display the advertisement to members on the social network service  20  and supply to the advertisers a summary of their ad placements. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 17  members may create a playlist of media files accessible from, at least, the homepage  24  of the member. The playlist is a customized selection of media files which a member may manage using the social network service  20 . In addition, the media files may be grouped or categorized within the playlist. The playlist enables the member to play back the media files in an order specified by the member or in a shuffle mode. Playlists can be transferred between members who are friends with each other. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2C and 2D  the social network service  20  also provides the members with a means to notify administration of the social network service  20  upon discovering media files which may be inappropriate. As such, administration may review the media file which may be inappropriate and elect to remove the media file from the social network service  20 , and ultimately the server  22 . The term “inappropriate” is broadly defined to cover media files containing nudity or pornography, media files with excessive gore or violent content, media files with racist or hate speech, media files which violate another party&#39;s intellectual property rights, and the like. Enabling the members of the social network service  20  to regulate one another maintains integrity of the social network service  20  for its intended purpose. 
     The social network service  20  further provides a means to update members of the social network service  20  regarding news or other information which may interest a member, including a scrolling banner with information about artists who are members of the social network  20 . Specifically, updates may be provided on the homepage  24  of the member as shown in  FIG. 18 . Alternatively, updates may be provided on a main page  26  of the social network service  20 , as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . The main page  26  is a common interface which members of the social network service  20  may access for information about the social network service  20 , updates regarding media files, and the like. Updates may be implemented as real-time feeds so members may immediately be informed of updates. It is to be appreciated that updates may be provided on any suitable homepage  24  or interface of the social network service  20 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the social network service  20  also has a news tracker feature  28  allowing fan members to select artist members they like and track them. The news tracker feature displays updates and news for the selected artist members on a fan member&#39;s homepage  24 .  FIG. 7  illustrates one possible sequence for tracking an artist. A user or member  12  can go to the main page  26  at  30  and enter in a musician&#39;s name in a search bar as shown at  32 . At  34 , the service  20  can provide a drop down box allowing a user  12  to select an artist and click search. The service at  36  can then take the user  12  to a search page. At  38  the user  12  can select a band or musician. After the user selects a band or musician the service  20  can take the user  12  to the selected band or musicians home page as shown at  40 . The service  20 , at  42 , can enable the user  12  to click track artist button. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 14B , the present application further provides a means for members to provide a broadcast of at least one live event whereby the broadcast is accessible by other members of the social network service  20 . A suitable example of the broadcast includes a live performance, such as a musical performance, or the like. The live performance may be performed by artists, performers, entertainers, musicians. Similarly, venues may broadcast live performances for promotional purposes. The broadcast may be searched by members of the social network service  20  by a means provided by the social network service  20 . Suitable criteria for searching may include, but is not limited to, category of performance, date or time of performance, title of event or performer, and the like. The social network service  20  further provides a means by which a member may queue upcoming broadcasts. As such, once the upcoming broadcast is scheduled to go live, the social network service  20  may notify, and/or broadcast the event in any suitable manner known in the art. 
     The social network service  20  further provides a means for members to communicate to other members of the social network service  20  through an electronic mail service. Specifically, the electronic mail service provides a means of exchanging digital messages from an author to one or more recipients. Whereas electronic information provided on a member homepage  24  may be publicly viewable, the electronic mail service provides alternative private form of communication between the author and recipients. For example, an upcoming entertainer may want to contact a venue privately to determine whether the venue has a date available for the upcoming entertainer to perform. 
     Furthermore, the social network service  20  provides a means for members to communicate to other members of the social network service  20  through an instant messaging service. The instant messaging service provides real-time direct text-based communication between two or more members. Similar to the electronic mail service, the instant messaging service provides a private form of communication in lieu of a public homepage  24 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the social network service  20  provides a way to host periodic music competitions  64  where artists members enter their works in the competition and fan members of social network service  20  vote to determine the winner. The winner receives additional exposure on social network service  20  as well as on other social media websites and blogs such as Twitter, Facebook and OURTUNEZ blog. To enter contest  64  a band or artist member  12  goes to main page  26  at  66  and selects add tune button as shown at  68 . The service  20  then takes the band or artist member to the contest page  70 . At  72  the band selects the add tune button next to the song the member wants to enter into next month&#39;s competition. The social network service  20  can then at  74  enter the song into next month&#39;s contest for music fans to vote on. 
     The present application further provides a method for promotion and networking of at least artists, performers, entertainers, musicians, and venues, the method comprising the steps of providing a social network service  20  wherein at least artists, performers, entertainers, musicians, and venues may become members of the social network service  20 , and providing a server  22  wherein the server  22  hosts the social network service  20 .