My $2,000,000 Challenge

Disclaimer:
A) Please do not misinterpret this post as me looking for handouts, free stuff, etc. Silly comments, expected
B) If you actually are going to take the time to read it, but dont feel like responding publicly, understood. [email]sales@fubblebish.com[/email] will take your comment.

Well, well. Im posting this as a challenge to myself and my wonderful partner Soda Domela. Shes the best, and means the world to me. About 6 mos ago we decided to go into the SL fashion thing and start designing and making clothes (I'll offer the name and location later, of course). We started off well, came up with some unique stuff (all hail Soda), and got a pretty good response. We worked harder, came up with more stuff, and so on and so on.
Anyway, recently I was pondering about how we really should use our revenue for something good, like a vacation. We both came up with an ideal LL number for what we would need to cash out and take a nice trip somewhere RL for some time. The magic number was $2MM.
So, where does this leave me? Well, I suppose we are about 1/3 way there, and I need some help. No, I dont need u all to come shop at the store and buy our stuff (although, of course it would help). No, I dont need general theory on how to market stuff to sell (got that down). What I do need is some good supporting ideas or advice on how to really ramp up to that magic number (legitament of course).
I guess what im asking is for all you old-timers who have been there and done that to offer me some advice on how to really turn an 'OK' business into a 'GREAT' business and help me get to that next level. I know some of you have this intellectual property and the rest of you are at least at the consumer level.
Are we making the right products? Is my marketing hitting the right target? Are my items priced effectively? Am I missing the boat on a niche that I can easily adapt into?
I dont have these answers. I need them.

- If you can offer me some advice, please do so.
- If you have a product, or something that you thing can help me augment my business, please let me know.
- If you are a designer and you are looking to partner up to help me grow my business, by all means let me know.
- If you would like to critique my catalog, again, please do.
- If you trade lindens, and you can help me somehow get to my magic number, again your comments are welcome.

I thank you all for taking the time to read through this post. I know its a bit abstract, so thanks for bearing with me. If you are still reading this and not sleeping yet, Ive left the location to our main store below. Thanks again.


Jeremy Majestic

and of course

Soda Domela

*Bubblefish*
http://slurl.com/secondlife/tipsico/38/240/118/?title=*Bubblefish*

PS- Soda is really one of the most wonderful ppl I have ever known both here and there. She is my anchor and brings me great joy. If you cant reach me, reach out to her and say hi.

I've always found that when I want to know how to improve my business, I look to 4 sets of people to give me advice :
1) my customers
2) my competitors
3) my friends
4) my books

1) my customers *make it cheaper*

2) my competitors *blur teh seams*

3) my friends *awesome, just AWESOME !!*

4) my books *we cant talk!! were books*

Just a couple quick thoughts:

1. You can't overestimate the value of advertising, especially in SL, where new businesses pop up overnight, literally. Try looking into an ad on Snapzilla or the Metaverse Messenger. Snapzilla in particular gets a lot of eyes and the rates are more than reasonable. Helps get your name out there, and a little money spent on advertising can go a long way.
   
2. Another quasi-advertising solution is to blog your shop and new releases. I've seen a couple of those pop up and I think they're really useful to see what new items designers I like have out. Plus, with the forums going bye-bye, any chance you have to get your name out there in the ether is time well spent. A free blog from blogspot, etc. will work just fine.
   

I stopped by your shop real quick...it loaded very fast, even on my crappy interm laptop, which is a big plus, and it seemed easy to get around. Maybe arrange like items together on different walls, make it easier for people to find what they're looking for, new items up front, etc? That's about all I could find to change in that arena.

I guess overall keep in mind that quantity goes a long way too, and the more stuff you guys make the more sales you'll get, and you'll pick up steam as you go. Good luck and enjoy that vacation when you get it!