Second life businesses - tips and tricks - part 1

This goes back to the time when I owned a few stores in Second Life for some sunglasses and custom items I used to design. I was never very good at designs, so no wonder, the sales never picked up. But I did learn a few things from my little experience and I am going to share what I did. I do not intend to say it is the best way to do it, but it worked for me with limited success. This is also based on my observation on what most successful designers do today.

So, here goes a few pointers:

1. Have a subscriber list set up

I prefer subscriber list and not groups and I'll tell you why. You can have at most 50 SL groups at a time, but if you use subscribers you can still reach out to people without capping their group limits. Now, if you are really good, people will start joining your group. But for a start also have a subscriber. That way you are not eating into others' groups at the same time you are reaching them. I have not used subscribers myself, but know people who use them with good success.

2. Set up MM (midnight mania) boards

Now this one can be a hit or a miss. The in-world MM groups are spammed s heavily that most sane people skip joining them. I guess, the ones who join it are mostly the designers and spammers. Even if customers join, they often mute the IM option. So, most MM boards today go unfilled by midnight. Now, to have MM boards work for you, you need a few things -

a) Product quality in general has to be excellent, so people are interested in slapping the boards

b) You need to have people publicize it. MM boards usually have two options - one is that you give the item to everyone if target is met OR you give the item to only one person randomly once target is met. It goes without saying that in the first option, you will get more slaps, as people are sure to receive the gift if target is met. 

c) Make sure to set the MM board to group if you have one. That way people are compelled to join  it before they slap it.

d) Spam in-world as well as social networking groups. Instead of posting a generic MM boards status, it helps to provide customized messages and update the count of the slapping each time.

3. Contact club owners 

This tip is handy. Many club owners today face difficulty keeping staff motivated and VIPs entertained. Lindens are hard to come by. Now one benefit of being a SL creator is - you do not have on-going manufacturing cost once the first product is ready. You can clone it easily at zero cost. Now, one very good way to establish a brand name is getting in partnership with club owners and suggest to sponsor events. So, what do you really sponsor? You set up gift cards and have the clubs give them away to either VIPs or staff. That way, you reach the SL population. You can probably advertise for free at the club venue as you are already providing gift cards and I would assume the club owners will only be too happy to accommodate your request. It is a WIN-WIN situation and you keep everyone happy!

4. Recruit marketing folks

If you have an in-world store, this is something you need. Bots are great, but they can't have an engaging conversation with a customer and influence a sale. You need real people. So, how do you do it? If you are rich and can pay tips or salaries, nothing like it. But with a slow SL economy, it might be a better idea to make it commission based. Say you pay 5% of every sale, provided your sales rep can prove through local chat or im chat that he was able to influence the purchase decision. I have spoken to some designers myself and many talk about trust issues while giving access to marketplace. My point is - why would you even need to give access to marketplace if you go through what I have just stated?

5. Selection of store location

Although SL businesses do not have an advantage of proximity or geographical location unlike RL businesses, it is very important to look for a high traffic zone while setting up store. It is equally important to let people know about it, so ample campaigning and ad circulation needs to be done both in-world and on social networks.

6. Get bloggers and photographers for you

If you can blog and post pictures yourself, nothing like it. If not, it is important to get people to promote you. The objective is to reach as many people as possible, because one thing for sure, in SL competition is tough and in many ways, tougher than RL.

7. Set up reward system for loyalty

This is important. You need to keep people coming back to purchase your stuff and nothing better than rewarding old loyal customers. There are many ways to do it. You can provide discounts or special gifts to such people on a time to time basis based on sales that they have generated.

8. Emphasize on market place rating and reward 5-star raters

I am not telling to bribe people to rate you. That is unethical if you ask me. But if people leave 5-star rating, make sure you let them know how much you appreciate it and nothing better than a token, like a small gift. I know at least one designer in SL who does that very successfully.

Are you a designer or creator? What do you do to boost your sales? Share your thoughts!

Cheers!

Immortal