Advice on Sales!!

LOL. I was so full of cynical/strategic answers, I didn't give the non-cynical one. Make something people really want to buy, become a brand people trust, build up good word of mouth, and be patient. Over time, as an item sells, that item's ranking will increase.

if you sort by new it will be on the first page until others put up other gazebos, and as more are added, yours will slip down the page, because it is no longer the newest one.

Of course- hence the need to understand what besides popularity drives the page rank - it cant stay "new" forever. That is only a pointer- a nudge really. The grail here is to get to place on default which according to the limited numbe-rs on my poll here is how most folks search- then the refinements kick in.

@ Nimue- no- i don't like the re-price thing, it offends me to believe I must undervalue my goods to be seen. I am not in this to make a living, I do it because i enjoy it. BUT - I do want to make sales since it keeps me in uploads and in purchases at XStreet and who knows- maybe one day it will pay tier.

The stuff I make, might or might not be great or even good- but to me, each one is perfect- until the day it isnt. Meaning it is my best at time of release- when it no longer is then it disappears.

Anyhoo- maybe if my gazebo doesn't sell, it's a good thing- there seem to be very much enough gazebos on sale already!

sorry amar, it was just the way you worded your post, gave me the impression that by adding the border it brought you to page one, but it was actually because you were using new as a way of sorting search

as for what determines the search results on xstreet, hellifIknow.

I wish I did know.

I never really gave it much thought, some how people find my stuff and occasionally buy it, that is good enough for me.

I gave up trying to figure out how to get known, or on top ranking pages (in world or in xstreet)

just too much of a headache for such a small return.

It's kinda a game at time Rha- sometimes i don't give a darn u know- other times its such a cool boost when peeps buy stuff

Oh sharing- just joined this site: http://www.slbiz2life.com/active/index.html?rid=8750403

no clue yet if it will help or not do anything- we'll see

Belonged to them long ago. Did nothing for me in the least. Just caused me to spend money.

But, there wasn't one just like yours until you made it. That is the *best* part about creating things in SL, and it never ceases to amaze me. Add to that the thrill when someone finds it (even if it's just one someone, which for some of my things I think has been the case ) and it is exactly what they were looking for.

I'm like you, I care about sales, but I don't do this for a living. It is a tricky balance to maintain. For me, too much chasing sales can really kill the enjoyment, but so can seeing my sales slip below my goals. I just can't win, but trying to strike a balance is part of what keeps the whole thing fresh and entertaining.

I dont think of offering something at a lower price as cheapening the product. I think of it more as what grocery and retailers do in RL...offering a loss leader...a low priced item which is advertised in a flyer that brings people in with the hope they will purchase additional items at the regular price. The RL stores know they are actually losing money on these items, but they also know that the liklihood of someone buying more than the one item is very high and worth the loss in revenue.

this is what happened to me
I have not made anything since the start of Jan, and do not plan to make anything until inspiration hits me.

I am hoping that by getting back to my RL hobby, that it will give me that artistic motivation needed to get back to creating in SL.

Or I will just get the kick to continue creating in RL LOL

That's what my Dollarbies are for. I too feel there are entirely too many Freebies - but something that brings people in- why not. i released my patio sets at a regular price. I made a $5 Linden plant stand to draw folks.

So I had asked a dear friend to work up a new logo/banner thingie for me for Prawny's adboards since my focus has shifted from clothes to home decor.

She did a really nice one but I had new pieces and rather than keep being a pest, I tried my hand at it. Not being anywhere near an expert on this stuff, here are my so-so results. What do you guys think? Is it OK? And which do you think represents TF Decor better?

I would try and make your business name have more contrast with the background colour.

Script type fonts are difficult to read as it is. Putting a black font up against a dark gray background makes it even more difficult to read.

Perhaps give the text a white shadow might help.... Or make the text white with a black shadow.

But I shouldn't comment really...the only graphics program I know how to use is MS Paint.

Lol- Hey I welcome the input! And i like the font shadow idea

I like the second picture, not sure why. but yes, the D in Decor is fading into the background.

the second picture seems to have more depth because you showed the wall corner, and put a solid floor under the patio furniture.

i don't have any problem with your font except that it lacks punch - which might be because it doesn't have the shadows (as mentioned), but also because i agree that the D is faded too much.

also, why highlight the D and not the TF? just something (more) to think about.

other than that, it reflects your style, tastes and intent, so i don't think any other advice i might offer is more than opinion. you're on the right track. keep it up! can't wait to see the finished product.

Thanks 3- I liked the shadow ideas too- so I will (attempt!!!) to do that

why did you put the words in the order you did

each time I look at it I read it as Talon Decor Faire

why not put them as Talon Faire Decor, but the same layout you have, with the shadow and added color for punch?

If you like it the way you have it, just ignore my questions, we each have our own way for doing things.

Just (hopefully) some helpful advice.

The words are in the order you list - Talon Faire Decor. It's the grey that is throwing it off and so that is what needs attention to keep it from being washed out and miss read- I was lazy last night and didn't get back to it I do appreciate all the input folks- thanks muchly.

Well a quick update on Paradise Found... a sad one.

Finally I became the victim of a not to be trusted landlord. For my new store I rented a quarter homestead, from some virtual company called "P & K Enterprises" (not naming avatar names of course .
After the first month, I decided to renew and pay for a second month. Today I found myself ejected from the group, and all my stuff returned. Just payed 2051 linden for a renewal of my classified yesterday.

Now I already had plans for the future of Paradise Found, but was not ready just yet. And it is not the thousands of lindens spent for nothing, it is missing a location for my store that is the worst.
Will keep you all updated!

Argh - I would like to see them carved into long, thin slices on your behalf!

Why did they do it? Any clues? Any chance of at least getting your rent back?

If you get booted from the group and items returned from the land, chances are small to get back anything. Will AR them as soon as I get in-world though. And Why? Probably could not afford their tier or so, will check things out later on.

ah I guess it is just how my mind works, I read words in the order they come (regardless of color hue, placement etc, if one comes after the other I read them that way)

anywho, good luck with the new signage

ARing won't do any good (other than give you peace of mind) as LL will not get involved in resident to resident disputes.

you trusted them to give them money, they broke that trust.

It is no different than someone standing somewhere saying they have something for sale, and you give them lindens for it, they run off laughing, and you get nothing in return.

I wish LL would do something about the dishonest landlords, but they won't.

And sadly it is the dishonest ones we hear the most about (which I guess in a way is a good thing, because otherwise more folks would be burned).

Sorry it happened to you (and you just showed another example of why I will not rent from a private estate owner) (that and I am not into the themed thing heh)

I love my mainland. Same location for over 2 years and I am not worried about being kicked off of it (I am not an adult vendor)

Well update already.

The dude sold his sims to a new owner it seems. Without informing the renters. Another lowlife of SL...

Just dropped the new owners a notecard, maybe I can work something out.