SL as a RL Networking Tool

I was wondering what your thoughts are on the use of SL as a way to market your RL business. Kind of a virtual chamber of commerce. It could be as informal as a monthly meeting of members or perhaps a tad more complex where businesses set up store fronts to market their RL products / services at a particular area in SL.

I already intend to use SL in such a manner in the near future and am curious as to what others think.

It's something I would be interested in. I did approach LL about something very similar about a year ago, but they made it clear they would not permit the marketing of RL business in SL. I'm sure this will change, if it hasn't already, as we continue to see major changes in LL philosophy.

In short, I think it is a concept with potential. Successful implementation most likely would be slightly different than through traditional marketing avenues, but SL is adaptable and relatively cheap. Without an in depth cost/benefit, it certainly seems on the face of it to be worth a shot. I think the population is getting large enough that the element that would be a hardcore opposition to this has a diminishing (though vocal) impact, but would still need to be considered.

Very interested.

Do you have a link?

My understanding is that they have absolutely no restrictions on inworld content as long as it is not broadly offensive (though, perhaps RW marketing is considered broadly offensive or illegal.

It wasn't a forum post, I contacted them via a few e-mails, probably about February last year. I was told that it was against TOS to market/advertise RL companies in-world. That may well have changed now, I'm not sure.

I would be VERY interested as well.

Are you talking about this? I didn't know that it was against TOS.

I was told unless it was an in-world biz, it was strictly no-no and against TOS. I did point out a couple of examples of RL marketing already going on at the time, and was directed to AR anything that fitted that description. At the time, I assumed it maybe that they were reserving the right to advertise rl companies in-world for themselves. They may well have changed their philosophy on the whole area of RL marketing since then.

My thoughts are that it would be a rather poor networking tool at the moment, unless you only want to deal with existing SL residents - I can't think that a lot of people will want to join SL just to network with you. Perhaps if lots of people start doing it, SL might become "the new golf" but I wouldn't count on it. Even in internet-early-adopter circles you'd be pushed to get people in on a regular basis.

I've been reading more and more stuff recently about WoW being "the new golf" come to think of it. You can't build a nice shop front there but actually, I think that's an advantage - it's bad form to ostentatiously advertise in networking events, even if people know really that that's what they're all there for.

Some negative factors:

- learning curve for new people
- grid stability
- need for a better computer than for IE or NetMeeting

I was thinking of using SL as a RL networking tool for existing SL users. I agree that it would be difficult to recruit non SL users for the sake of marketing their RW services.

But.....

If an area was set up exclusively for RL vendors to set up shop, perhaps using the 'white label' functionality that Wells Fargo was going to use, it could be a neat way to supplement one's current web marketing strategies. At the same time you would be promoting the growth of SL. To use SL exclusively would not be a smart idea as the barrier to entry is too steep.

The introduction of an IW browser would be ideal for this.

I'm really just 'shooting from the hips' on this, any input is appreciated.

agreed.

I think you know my philosophy on this....
Do first, ask later.

Heh, I think that philosophy has been shown to be the most successful in SL, so I'll bow down to your judgement

*shocked*

Schwan started a, like, serious thread? Whoa. Hell's freezin' over! Oh, and yes, SL is a great way to promote your RL business, especially if you cater to a faily geeky clientele. I miss the Suicide Girls. They were nice.

Regards,

-Flip

*fans flipper*

I'm sure a puchline involving sheep is just a few posts away!

Come to think of it- Whatever did become of Suicide Girls in-world?

"Nice"?

Come clean, Flipperino -- you miss 'em 'cos they were slutty girls. Hell, I miss 'em too, and I never even met one in-world.



P2

Glad you chimed in here Flip, I know you sell some RL products through www.slboutique.com .

As far as posting a serious thread, every once in a while I get the urge to do something 'different'.

/me wishes I had a good sheep joke right now.

When did they leave?