* Amaris * Designs – Fashion in Second Life

Anyone running a business in Second Life knows they need to do their part to get their store known, visited, and shopped. Basics exist that are easy, quick and cheap to incorporate. Certainly marketing always comes at a cost. Those who are more serious about earning Lindens on Second Life would need to spend more to earn more. Me, I’m a little frugal. I like systems that cost little and show some traffic. I’d like to share what has worked for me and/or friends, and what was mediocre for my own shop but might profit more in other businesses.

• For starters, there is being “shown in search”. If you’ve any experience you most assuredly already know this. But if you’re just opening your shop, the first thing you’ll want to do is select your land options (either by right clicking on your parcel, or clicking on the parcel name at the top of your screen) and go to “Options”. Halfway into the screen is “Show Place in Search”, simply select that. You will automatically be deducted 30L each week.
• Classifieds. I’ve run classifieds off and on. What these are are another search option within Second Life for people to find what they’re looking for. Depending on how much Lindens you put into the classified, thats how high you’ll be on the list after a search (as opposed to being ‘shown in search’ which creates a list ordered by your amount of traffic). This can be done in your Profile under Classified. Honestly, I haven’t had substantial traffic come from classifieds. I do not pay a lot, if you want to try and pay more, lol .. you go ahead.
• Xstreet. HELL YES. Put your items on Xstreet. Many many many if not most … or all … avatars shop on Xstreet, and it provides a refined search so they can find your items specifically. Be sure to put a landmark to your store along with the items you sell. Also put an SLurl on the page. Many people would rather buy directly from you then from the web. Xstreet deducts a very small fee off of every product you sell.
• Fashion groups such as Fashion Consolidated. Some groups are free, some are paid. Fashcon seems to be the best. What these groups allow you to do is to send notices (usually one per week) of your new items to a whole crowd of interested people. Look around at your favorite stores and find posters of other fashion related groups.
• Freebies. Oh my yes, Second Lifers love freebies. Especially when promoted in groups like the one mentioned above, or there are freebie groups too! People will come flooding to your store. Also listing the freebie on Xstreet gets much attention. Even when I made my first item, a nails set, I made a freebie nail.
• Midnight Madness. Seems to be called the new craze. By the makers of the lucky chairs, Midnight Madness is indeed popular – but it needs to be paired with groups as well. Search groups to find crowded MM groups, and you’ll be able to announce your item many times a day.
• Designer Showcase Network. DSN is cool, it really does get your name out there. What DSN does is let you provide a free item, or more, and it hands out this item to a certain amount of avatars a night. You can put a notecard in the box with more information about your shop. I do recommend this item, which is very affordable, but I feel its use only goes so far. People are getting a mass of free items. Goodness knows if they even check them all. And some of the best marketing advice I’ve heard is “make them come to you”. The people who receive your DSN gift have no straightforward reason to come to you.
• Update group kiosks. Another must have. Anyone who likes your work can instantly find out about your new releases, sales, etc. Its good to offer a free item for joining the group, but not completely necessary. There is the option the person can just leave after getting the item, but thats fine. Most people stay joined. These update groups usually cost a bit, but are well worth it. Search Xstreet for your options.
• Gridwide Hunts. Oh I love gridwide hunts. I’ve been in a couple and a couple more to come. I don’t usually join in the hunt part but I love the concept. You’ve probably been through a few, or at least noticed a great many posters out there. Avatars go from shop to shop in order, finding the freebie, then moving on to the next store. They bring in fantastic traffic. And they’re fun – they usually carry a theme. You can look at your favorite stores to find applications, search Google, or hell – start your own hunt! If you do, let me know, I’d love to join, lol .

If you have any other tips for marketing in Second Life, do feel free to comment.