serious question on advertising and marketing

So I got a question that isn't about Ginko or gambling. I'm not sure if dat's still allowed here, though.

I'm trying to come up with some worthwhile ways to advertise and promote both the stores in a region as well as the region itself. I want to avoid as much as possible anything unethical, as well as anything that seems "spammy" - just honest promotion for what we offer, because I feel the quality of the area and its products can sell themselves.

Anyone have any good suggestions of ways to promote in here while adhering to a "don't be evil" kinda of philosophy?

Mari

Classifieds forum?

I have a few ideas...
IM me in-world.

By "in here" do you mean on the forums? Many people have ads in their signature lines. As far as I know that's acceptable but I could be wrong. I was once before.

I always check the products forum for new products. I also like discussion about products alot. Helps separate the wheat from the chaff.

If the area is the one I think it is, (where you had the fireworks) then I found that it was hard to see who your target audience is. People doing family RP? Everyone?

It is a beautiful place and enjoys a good reputation and good will (the texture tutorials are there..right?)

I would also recommend sponsoring classes that are teaching to your target audience. If you want a general public, you can sponser general classes. 1000s of residents are taking classes everyday and they are a motivated consumer.

It is cheaper than the classifieds and people get your landmark in the class supplies plus a mention at the beginning of class. For ASL (where I teach), you would also get a sign I believe. But all the schools accept sponsership and I think it would be a good idea to be a sponsor at a few schools..makes your biz look connected.

If you (or anyone else) is interested, I can send you the ASL sponsership application and you can see how it works.

I use the New Products forum exclusively. I have yet to look at an inworld classified

Since you feel you have good products that will sell well, put up a high paying classified and max out on the keywords. Add to the keywords EVERYthing you sell.

I thought high paying classified ads were crazy because I assumed most people used "All" to search, but a high paying ad has boosted my sales up by almost $100usd on average a day. So, it`s worth it, in my situation atleast, as I am paying about only $66usd a week for the ad. (If you sell extremely competitive items you may need to pay even more for a good listing)

I would also reccomend listing your land. And in the description put some keywords as that`s what it will use to search your listing. The downside of land listing is you need good traffic, especially if you are selling things which are abunduntly listed already. And even then you may have a plot that just refuses to list you.

"Fashion Blogs" are good too but I would not rely solely on that because IMHO many of them seem to be a bit "cliquey" and I`m guessing they cater to many of the same readers, just use them as an asset. If you`re not selling fashion items there are other places to advertise too, but just like not every SL citizen reads the forums, I would bet that only a small percentage of people are reading SL blogs.

Now if you mean on the forums as people think (Though I didn`t gather that from your post), use the new products forum regularly. However, I know i have run into many people inworld who have absolutely no idea we even have forums. Your goal should be to reach as many different types of people and groups as you can so also be sure to try and rent some vendor space elsewhere even if it`s in places where their theme does not neccessarily match what you`re selling. (Some people here refuse to rent in places "foreign" to them and I feel that completely holds them back from new exposure)

/me laughs "Wow, wrong only once before?" smiles

Mari, classifieds work well, esp if you can put in each shop's logo on the pic for the classified, then describe each shop's products in the blurb below. You're gonna have to pay out tho; I've seen classifieds for shopping run L$100,000/week. Anything below L$30,000 and you'll still be on the first page probably.

Also don't forget the blog websites (fashionista, Lifestyles, etc) of fashion writers; they're always looking for advertisers. They'll give you click-through buttons on the web; just give your SLurl.

The tabloids/newsletters are good places; I can't remember any now, but slcc.com (I think) or Reuters, The Avatstar, etc etc look for advertisers as well. Then there's the fashion mags, like SecondStyle, Aspire, etc.

Also, you could consider getting your merchants to make a freebie each, boxing them all up, then putting them up at the Free Dove or the Shelter or any of those newbie-helpful places. Don't forget to include landmarks!

Marianne,

I own and operate a graphic design firm, and I specialize in just such occasions. All of Glowbox are professional designers, with degrees and real world experience--however, we are inexpensive, because we are all in SL for the love of collaboration and creation.

IM me in world, and we'll discuss ideas, branding, identity, and marketing...

Swing by the studio and check out the work. Take care!!

I use SLEX to search for products, often. Then I go inworld to buy.

Update groups also work for me as a consumer. I have great brand loyalty to those who use their groups well. Strategic gifts to group members of the occasional new product and fun events with an activity (like a scavenger hunt or themed dance, where you give away one costume element) bring me back. I think groups work particularly well for stores that have a specific niche ... like non-bling jewelry, or feminine tattoos, or drow products.

Also, another attempt is being made to revive lucky chairs as they used to be. If that works, I think they're a good visibility tool.

In the forums, in-world, in publications... etc.



Ya, I always put new stuff in there. Jes put one up there today.



Everyone. It is a difficulty of our diverse product lines, which include avatar goods (skins/eyes/clothing), home goods (lamps, etc), kid stuff (avatar/toys/etc.) and wiccan goods (altar items/herbs/etc.). How to appeal to all, and what to focus attention on?

Oh, an we still do the fireworks, every Saturday at 8:00 p.m. SLT. 'til U.S. Labor Day.



Yup!

...an thankoo for the positive comments.



Hmn... lemme tink on dat...



I've not yet used the classifieds. Might be a good next step.



Ya, it's listed, thankfully. Good reminder though!



/me nods, Ya we're looking at these as well. I write for Metaverse Messenger, so dat's my first choice.

Mari

This may seem a bit tangential, but the best way to get a region going is... a group with an IM channel that it's acceptable to chat in.

Allows community, word of mouth, all sorts of good things. Should help businesses pick up, as well.

Good idea. We do have a group, but it is woefully unkempt. Time to do some work on it.

Mari

Wrong once before? But you were mistaken about being wrong, yes? -grins-

*huggles* you just made me laff out loud. for that, you can come and bring all your friends to float in my pond anytime!

good luck with your advertising and marketing plans.

About the inworld classifieds, I've always felt that several cheap classifieds were better than one expensive one. If you blow your ad budget on 1 big ad, you only get 1 headline to catch the attention of the consumer and there's no way to get all your selling points in one headline. I'd do several $50L ads, each one specifically targeting one aspect of what you are doing. At the bottom of each ad, you should still list all the other reasons for people to visit your land, along with the full keyword list. If you've got the budget for an expensive ad, go for it, but don't underestimate the cheaper focussed ads.

Whaa hoo! I'm bringin' my floaties an nose plugs!

Mari