Networking & Second Life

Shouldn't Networking count for something in Second Life? I've always thought that the ones who go out of their way to meet and interact with others should get some benefit.

And shouldn't this also include interacting with Lindens?

Am I making sense?

You're making some sense. I have still have some Qs.

What kind of "benefit" are you referring to? More people buying your stuff, invitations to swank, members-only galas, being addressed as The Most High Exalted Networkist April Firefly?

What kind of "benefit" should interacting with Lindens get you? More $L on the sly, RL job offers, personal mention in MOD ("Linden Staffers support TMHEN April Firefly for Resident of the Week", speedier support services?

Seems to me the only benefit being pleasant with the Lindens should get you is good will, and the benefit of the doubt.

(Unfortunately, even that isn't always the case. I know of a case where a resident was force-ported by a new Linden to meet that new Linden, only to be treated abusively by her.)

And if you go too far trying to "network" with Lindens, it could backfire - they might just start considering you a pest!

coco

It should count for something.

It shouldn't become the only thing that counts.

That's your opinion Coco, and you are entitled to it. But I think, just like in RL, if you interact positively with someone, that should count for something.

What's wrong with the Lindens showing appreciation if someone does something good for them or some other resident?

That's what networking is all about. People who can't be outgoing aren't enhancing SL as much as the ones who are outgoing.

As for being a pest, wow talk about being negative. Can we just focus on positive interaction?

April, just like RL, I think then benefits of Networking in SL are very visable.

There are a whole handful of content creators I can think of in SL, who do amazing stuff. It's what they have fun doing. They are not socialites though, and do not go out of their way to meet new people. So even though they have very successful businesses in SL, they rarely get recognition or mentions. I kind of put myself in this category, it's the way I like things. I like not being in the spot light.

On the other hand. I know other creators who run sub-par businesses in SL. THey dont get tons of sales but they are socialites. THey are well liked and this gives the perception that they run very succesful businesses in SL.

Well it should work the same way with the Lindens. I made the effort to go to SLCC. I sat next to Cory Linden. We talked, we joked, we shared a lot of things. This should mean something. I mean me and Cory bonded. But now, according to the rules and regulations set down by a few disgruntled players, I get no benefit from my time I shared with Cory (who is very hot by the way). This isn't fair. All that shmoozing I did should count for something.

Let's put things into more perspective here:

People building cool things does good for everyone on the grid.

Networking with a particular person only does good for you and that person.

Thus, people who network should be rewarded, but not more than people who build cool things. In particular, networking should not be a prerequisite for realising the rewards for building cool thnigs, or a prerequisite for building cool things in the first place.

Want to learn the power of networking?

Torley Torgeson gets a copy of everything I make.

For free.

She even gets it watermelon-ized.

Why? Because I happen really to like Torley. How come? Because I bumped into her at the WA way back when I was still a newbie. Gets around, that Torley. And because Torley gets around, it's great to give her free product. Awesome exposure!

That's networking right there. And I really doubt I'm the only person who feels this way.

I'm still unclear as to what "benefit" you think LL should provide for interacting with them. It seems a slippery slope, depending on what you advocate this "benefit" to be. People will naturally increase the demands on Linden time if they see potential gain from that interaction above what would be expected from them now.

I don't know that people who aren't outgoing aren't enhancing SL as much as others. Perfect example of why this isn't the case being people like Beau who provide good product, but have no desire to network on any grand scale. Networking with residents provides it's own rewards, as it should, particularly as relates to someone with a business to hype.

This seems just another attempt to reduce the importance of casual residents and find a way for some of us to feel special.

What?

What rules and regulations set down by a few disgruntled players? Are you talking about people like me who wanted equal opportunities for everyone? If so, understand that I am NOT "disgruntled."

Secondly, your formula just wouldn't work. It is the sort of idea that can make pests out of some people, hoping to get some sort of extra benefit that way. (Not you.)

In your case, you DID get something out of it, the same something that counts in rl business. First off, you got fun and a new friend. Second off, you were able to display yourself and your charms, your pleasantness, your reasonableness, etc., to a Linden. And you hit it off with a Linden. That doesn't hurt! And there's nothing wrong with it. The way I figure it, going to the SLCC is of VERY great benefit in that regard to those who went. If nothing else, it showed extra interest, and good faith.

So it does mean something. You took the opportunity to go to SLCC, and you have established yourself as a pleasant individual, and one they will think of well when they look through the possibilities of people who want to do something.

Letting them look through the possibilities of people who want to do something, by allowing everyone who wants to participate to be considered, isn't a problem! You already have given yourself an edge by your pleasant networking, and that is totally legitimate. It is often that sort of thing which makes the difference in choosing between possibility A and possibility B, where possibility B has already proved herself to be a reasonable and pleasant potential co-worker. Just as in real life. And just as legitimate.

Allowing everyone to apply for an opportunity doesn't take away that edge at all. But allowing everyone to have a chance to be considered, just as in rl, is not only legitimate, it's EXPECTED of large corporations. That edge, of going to the SLCC and like efforts in game, is just another consideration they put into the mix, and its a legitimate one. It can, of course, be overridden by other considerations, as well it should be where applicable.

coco

Uh.

No. That isn't even close to the way networking works.

Networking with someone new is good for everyone in your network and everyone in theirs. It happens all the time. Someone in their network needs something, someone in your network has something, and by feeling through your network you can bring the need and the solution together.

This is the basis for movies getting made, for jobs being filled, for companies being founded. No man is an island, nor should he expect to succeed as such.

LinkedIn is a really cool model of this in action. Two of my old bosses are very well connected there and through them I was able to set up some pretty cool interview opportunities I wouldn't have had otherwise.

My current job is a result of networking in a big way. There's no way I'd have been considered for the opportunity if I hadn't been vouched for by important links in my new boss's network.

Networking: Do it or starve.

Which is exactly why Help Island shouldn't be closed to all residents except approved volunteers.

coco

Networking: Pretending to make friends with people in order to further personal ambition.

Tell me I'm wrong ? I won't believe you.

Ok, fair enough.

It's still the case, however, that it doesn't benefit everyone - which funky new contributions to SL as a whole do.

Uh. Huh?

I'm not sure I understand what that has to do with the discussion.

I disagree totally. If you had seen the atmosphere of helpfulness and responding gratitude you would understand. But you'll have to be a volunteer to see it Cocoa. BTW Your house is there as the sole example of building possibilites at the moment.

This is going to be the way it is as the WA has turned into a cesspool and LL thankfully realized this. New residents are in no way forced to stay there if they don't want.

Exactly. That exists right now, as it should. The original post seemed to indicate there should be something other than the natural progression of your/their network. LL responds as they feel works best for the application of their network. Other than what you noted to be the facts of business life, I'm not sure what else one should expect from these experiences.

It felt like a plea for some kind of regimented SL Networking Points System and Rewards Program (SLNPSRP!). Tell me if I misunderstand this, April.

Hi Coco, I just love reading your writing. Of course I didn't mean you Coco.

The avatar formerly know as April Firefly

It's the reason why we should not arrive at a situation where networking becomes a more important factor than actually doing cool stuff.

...


Networking is never going to stop being essential. Even if someone were to start a catalog of SL's Wonderful Things, guess what? The first things to get noticed would be stuff made by people somewhere in the cataloger's network. "Hey, my buddy made this awesome statue, come look!"

I'm really confused with your continual interest in rewarding people who are not willing to go the distance to attain their success. I really don't see the need to spoon feed exposure to anyone. If they want their stuff noticed, they'll find a way. If not, they won't. If something is really so amazing it must be shared, it'll find itself shared one way or another.

Seriously, someone tell me what my Networking Rreward Points will earn. And do I get credit for Historical Networking or do I start fresh when the new system gets implemented?

But I was really refering to Networking be part of the SL experience and actually counting for something. I think too much of this stuff is real world affirmative action stuff, which has no place here.

Heh, really, this is what networking does for you. It establishes with any given person:

- You're not crazy
- You know what you're talking about
- You're experienced with foo
- You have a lot of skills related to foo
- Your friends are foo, foo and foo
- You're in business foo
- Can be trusted to do foo

And on and on. People want to work with people they know more than they want to work with strangers. The less strangers exist in the world for a given person, the more opportunities they have.