WARNING: This post contains strong language and topics not suitable for immature audiences
It's been so long since I've made a post and I've been meaning to make one, but my real life has had me by the bottom. So I'm going to make another one! This one is not about my children this time, but it's about everything I've learned over the last couple of years of owning a store both on the marketplace and in world.
Let me start off by saying, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing when I opened my store. No one helped me or guided me, no one gave me any advice or taught me how to do anything for that matter. I had to learn all of these things, fail and get stolen from on my own. And because some of these things have bit me in the ass over the years, I want to pass this on to you, especially if you're a newbie owner or just a shopper planning on opening a store. A lot of this stuff is vital believe it or not, and the topics I am covering will make or break your career and will greatly affect the entire marketplace and in world community.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me in world with a notecard, I will try my absolute best to answer them, and just keep in mind I may not be able to answer all of them! (DJxPurity Resident)
Topic 1: Reviews Will Make or Break the Marketplace
This topic is for both shoppers and sellers. Reviews are incredibly important believe it or not. A smart shopper will always buy based on the review quality of a product. If something doesn't have any reviews, they more than likely wont buy it. I know that if a seller has a weak product description, poor product photo and no reviews, I'm not going to buy it. But it is also VERY IMPORTANT for buyers to leave as many reviews as they can, this is what improves the marketplace community. This helps everyone, including you steer clear of getting scammed, as well as find quality items for multiple different purposes. If you want people leaving reviews on your products, just think of how other sellers feel.What sellers can do: Offer promotions for people who leave great product reviews. This can range from free gifts, gift cards, discount cards & raffle tickets. I personally offer both gift cards in Linden dollar values depending on the product they buy, as well as discount cards. They seem to always be very thankful anytime they get a gift card for leaving a review.
This also goes to say that people often abuse the review system. Unfortunately, some people are jerks, they buy things without reading product descriptions at all and they just look at the photo, they also don't read instructions and the first thing they do is go on your product page and leave a nasty review, and they don't even contact you at all about the problem, and it makes people think that you're a scammer. Sometimes, there are even people who are NEVER HAPPY even if the product is perfectly fine! Some people just suck, and it makes it really tough for serious business owners who want nothing but to make people happy. This actually happens to every business owner and it's nearly impossible to avoid, and what makes it worse is that there is no way to automatically reverse the changes made to the product review page if someone decides to leave a false review, and it doesn't violate the community standards, even if you have proof.
Your options when someone leaves a false review:
- Contact the buyer and try to work out the issues they have with the product. If you can resolve the issue, try and convince them to revise their review. Give them a peace offering if they do such as a small gift or store credit. (This has worked great for me in the past at times.)
- Get a hold of other people who have purchased the same product, ask them nicely to leave honest reviews for a gift in exchange to try to bring your product rating back up. Most people are more than willing to do this for you for gifts in exchange.
- If you absolutely can not negotiate with this customer and they turn to harassment, block and ban the buyer, report to linden labs for harassment if necessary, and although this is NOT suggested, delete the product page and start over again, try making the product description clearer and try taking new photos.
- Always be 100% honest.
More information for buyers:
The review system is a very serious system and it is very important that if you have an issue with a product that you contact the seller before leaving a negative review. If the seller does not want to negotiate with you or help you, the review system is set in place where you can alert other buyers of your negative experience with both the product and the seller. If the product is great on the other hand, let everyone know! You may even get a freebie from doing so! I've gotten over $800 in freebies for leaving a review on a product before :)
Topic 2: If You Think People Wont Buy It, They More Than Likely WILL Buy It.
You'd be surprised how many products I've created that I was just absolutely not happy with whatsoever. Also sitting there thinking "No one is going to buy this crap, it's useless." But because I had spent so much time and Lindens into the product, I put it up for sale anyway. Almost 80% of the time, someone actually will buy it. A lot of the things that I have created and became unhappy with have become some of my biggest sellers.
On the other hand, some of the products I've made that I've absolutely loved and put my heart and soul into, didn't sell a single unit. It really sucks, but it legitimately happens to every business owner. Some things that have costed you hundreds to make may eventually have to become dollarbies if they're not getting any attention whatsoever, it hurts at first, but really, it's not that bad, you're still racking in customers and most of the time if you have one freebie, they suspect you have more and they browse your store, and you may make a few extra lindens because of that! You are going to have a huge love hate relationship with most things about your business. But just don't give up!
More Tips for Sellers
- Even if you don't like it or don't think it will sell, still put it up! If you were right all along, make it a promo item such as a dollarbie, group gift or a freebie.
- Create small things from time to time just to sell strictly as freebies or dollarbies. The more freebies you have, the more people will want to browse your store for more, and they will more than likely buy bigger things while they browse.
- Don't be discouraged about a product you worked really hard on not selling well. Create something else and just lower the price little by little, boost advertising or add a promo such as a free gift with their purchase of the product.
- If the item that you hated sells really well, create something similar and sell that! (Supply and Demand)
Topic 3: Sex Sells, But Seriously, Pick Something Else to Sell.
As you already know, Second Life is a very heavily sexualized game. You can't go anywhere without seing genitals. It doesn't matter where you are, either someone is naked or someone is selling a sex toy or HUD. There are just far too many things related to sex in Second Life that it just gets repulsive and boring. I meet other business owners and I really do like to engage in conversation with them and take interest in what they do, and when I ask what they specialize in, the response I dread is "Oh I own a sex shop/strip club!" Yes, yes of course you do, just like everyone else...
But seriously, there are literally tons of other things people are looking for in this game that doesn't involve sex or nudity. Breedables being one, babies being another, furniture, houses and other buildings, all in demand and very admirable. If you're going to be just another one of those people that sells dildos and sex animations or you own a brothel, at least make them unique and something we've never seen before!
Topic 4: Social Media is Your Best Friend (For Once)
Most people are surprised that the people of Second Life create facebook pages for their avatars, but this is actually a great way for business owners to do their networking. This has actually helped me boost business a lot since I've opened my store, and the friendly business owners on there are willing to help you out if you need friendly advice or even a helping hand. There are also people on facebook from Second Life that work to Promote your business just like in real life! Another great thing about facebook is that people have created many facebook groups dedicated to Second Life such as buy/sell groups, SL Photography, General Advertising, Breedable Communities, Freebie Communities and so fourth! If you are apart of facebook already (you do not have to have an avatar facebook) you can check out the group I run strictly for Dollarbies and Freebies of Second Life! If you are a business owner, a bargain hunter, event planner, or just love freebies, head on over and join us!
Other Great Facebook Networking Groups
These are some great facebook groups that I am actively involved in. Everyone is very friendly and both shoppers and sellers have great success in all of these groups! You can also meet very nice people.
Topic 5: Having Your Own Solo Land For Your Business Can Be Important
Do not take this the wrong way! Every business owners experience is different. Also, if you rent from an outlet mall in a very high traffic area, chances are you will get business. However, this is simply not good for your finances most of the time if your sales aren't matching up to the rent you're having to pay at a high traffic outlet strip. Other times, these outlet malls are VERY SMALL, you have limited prim space, the potential of rude/greedy business neighbors, greifers, perverts, as well as awful sim owners who give passes to terrible people. You also have absolutely no authority over who comes in and out of your store without having to take it up with sim management. It's just a big cluster-cuck. And yes, all first time business owners must start off small. They have no choice. I had to, that's for sure. Heck I started off with a 25 prim shop at first! But, once your product line begins to expand, then you want to start planning to move to your very own land where you can build your own building, have your own security, have employees if you want to, and not have to worry about sharing prims. I am not saying go and buy a private island for $1,000 or go to a land auction, what I am saying is find someone who is renting out commercial land at a decent price, will let you have administrative rights to that land and give you a good deal on size and prim usage. You'd be surprised how many great deals you can find on commercial land. I rent both Residental and Commercial land from a lady named Robin Ivory. I have 900+ Prims on a 4x protected sim. I believe it's a 1/4 sim large and I only pay about $726L a week. Best deal you'll probably find!
But the craziest thing is, people take your business more seriously if you're on your own land. I felt like I didn't get any business before moving to my own land just recently. And since then people are dropping in like flies. I think it's because they feel safer, more contained, know where everything is and don't feel obligated to keep moving because there is so much more to look at. This is another important reason why moving to your own land when you're ready is vital.
Topic 6: Theft and Copy Botters Can Be Stunned
There are a lot of different ways that copy botters and people who steal your items can be virtually preventable. However, depending on your products, this isn't always true and you can't always avoid it. But depending on the item, there are ways that you can save your certain products from theft. I on the other hand have caught red handed an idiotic woman in my shop one day who decided it was a fantastic idea, RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME to leave her shutter sound on while scrolling through my Wall Decal vendor one page after the other and take photos of them (she only got through about 2) until I immediately ejected and banned her dumb ass. On top of that, when I confronted her about it, she said "Sorry" So I knew she was doing it! I reported her to linden labs immediately and she is no longer welcome back to my store, I also sent out a public warning about this woman and I have also blocked her. On top of that, I IMMEDIATELY put a watermark on all of the Decal samples, so that was partially my fault! I learned the hard way and it bit me in my ass hard! Another thing people need to take in consideration is their in world demonstrations and displays. There are great ways to protect your in world displays and I have a video tutorial on how to protect copy botters from coming into your store and stealing your product, you can view that by clicking here or checking out the embedded video below!
More Tips on Preventing Theft
- Always lock down your scripts. Make them no mod and no transfer if at all possible, especially if you have custom created them or had someone customize them for you. Most people make a huge mistake on forgetting to lock down the perms on their scripts, so when the copy botter copies the prims, they can easily open up those scripts and copy and paste the code into a whole new script and BOOM, they just stole your hard work and you're out hundreds of lindens.
- Be very careful when buying full perm kits, make sure the permissions on those are also locked down! You don't want to be giving away a full perm kit by accident for much cheaper than what you purchased it for.
- When displaying clothing in world either on displays or manequins, please put invisi-prims over them to protect both the clothing as well as your texture (please see video above on how to properly do this)
- When creating scripted items with animations and other contents that must be left mod or transfer, it's best to try and avoid putting all of the scripts and contents in the root prim where the buyer can easily see all of the scripts and contents.
Other Extremely Important Tips I Wish I Would Have Know
- Take it slow when things get rough! It's okay to not produce more product when things are going really slow. This doesn't always have to do with you, it mainly has to do with the time of the year and the customers finances, such as after the holidays. When no one is buying anything weeks on end, don't run out of money and go all out producing new products. Instead, have a sale and put some good selling items on promo. Too many owners make the mistake of producing products when they're not making any money and they lose their house and absolutely everything they have, just take it slow and be smart!
- When listing items on the marketplace, don't be lazy! Seriously, write a detailed product description and provide a decent product photo. You don't need catchy sales pitches, just tell me what it does and what the package contains and its specs. That's all you need. We don't need any more pairs of shoes on the marketplace with a description like "This is a pair of shoes. They are cool."
- Ask for advice and help! There will be pretentiousness in the business community, I deal with it every-freaking-day. I could name 5 businesses off the top of my head that have that shitty attitude, but with my level of professionalism, I wont, because I don't want them to lose money. This is why I'm here, I want to start the revolution of helping your business neighbor. But really, it's okay to ask for help. Screw the a-holes who turn their noses up at you. Don't give them any money or time. They don't care about you, they care about your wallet.
- You don't need real life money to financially support yourself on Second Life. It's okay to take up part time SL jobs just to pay your rent and get by for a while. I worked 3 SL jobs and I was pregnant at one point. (I also had a really terrible RL Job) It's really not that bad!
- Set up email notifications anytime you get a message on Second Life. This helps a bunch when customers need your help and you're a space cadet like I am. You don't want any pissed off customers that think you're unreliable. Also, if your IM's get capped, make that very clear on your profile and your business page and have them send you a notecard.
- Speaking of social networking, create a facebook page or a twitter for your business! This makes things fun for your fans and customers and gives them first glance at your newest products. I have one for all 4 businesses! You can see all of my links down below.
- Some people are just never happy no matter what. Please don't take this personally. They thrive off negativity and there isn't anything we can do about it. The only thing you can do to defeat it is not let it drag you down, because that's their intention.
- Seriously, some people you just can't please.
- When someone is exceptionally happy with your service, thank them profusely. Let them know that they are a valued customer, know them by name, and make them feel special as well as the guests they bring in. And always say hello and ask them how they've been any time the come back! (They really do love it)
- You're going to attract some very strange people in your store. But regardless of what you think of them, make them feel welcome and offer them the same support as your valued customer.
- If you notice someone has bought a duplicate of a copiable item in your marketplace store, even if they don't contact you about it, CONTACT THEM. Let them know if there is any way if you can assist them! I always offer them back either half of what they paid for the second item, or I give them a gift card. This will make you an exceptional business owner. This will show that you actually care!
- The customer isn't necessarily always right (not in my store!) But you always want to find a solution regardless, and both of you must be happy with it.
- It's okay to be wrong sometimes. Just apologize, offer a negotiation of doing business again, learn from the mistake, and do better next time.
- Sometimes you will have to meet the customer in person for technical support, because you will have loads of customers that absolutely do not know what they're doing. But be patient and take a deep breath. It's okay.
- When having employees, a lot of them will not take your work seriously. Don't take this personally. They see it as a game, and that's it. Others will stick by you through it all.
- Seriously though, be nice to those employees that stick by you and cherish the crap out of them! They're hard to come around!
- You will often times consider hiring security guards, but I don't advise it. It's just a waste of money and it's hard to trust people.
- Last but not least, don't give up, go at your own pace and just know that you are not alone! Not everyone becomes and SL Millionare overnight!
I spilled my absolute heart out in this post and I really hope you all enjoyed reading this and found it somewhat beneficial! Like I said, if you need anything from me, my door is always open. You can IM via Notecard @ DJxPurity Resident in world. You can also visit my stores and my links below. Good Luck :)
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