Advice on Sales!!

Czari- it's a a damn if you do- damn if you don't... I had not seen the need before but Skell made a good point... Now I just don't know-- but as for sales- you could always set out a prim with an announcement of the sale and then make the changes--- hmm- argh- like i sd- damn if u do damn if u don't.


Now, something cool I just discovered- I made a top in Gimp and opened it in AvPainter - when I made changes in Gimp and saved it- it automatically updated in AvPainter! cool

I would suggest if you only have part of your stock on sale, then move them all to a 'sale wall' which would only need one texture uploaded (the big "SALE!" one). Failing that, then a well-placed sign by the TP point saying there's a ##% off sale on all items, so to check the hovertip on all items before you buy.

Heh, Amar, I posted before I made it to Skell's post and he does make some great points.

For me...I see clearly that I need to "get my Gimp going" so I can learn to use those layers, save in its native format for templates and all the other cool things it does.

Too cool about the update with Gimp/AvPainter!

**Rumbling of bad weather currently going on outside. I've got a feeling if it hits you all it will travel up. Still shudder thinking of our back-to-back 4 hurricanes we got about 3 years ago. Time to hunker down and have plenty of batteries and water.**

I never set price on my ads, and my sales are good.
I want to be free to lower (or increase) the price. Also, if you want to have a special sales, i.e a 50% rebates sales that will last 2 or 3 hours or even one day, i don't want to upload new textures just for that.

Well heck....I'll admit to it....I'm greedy!

I want to be more creative (in life in general)...this is just one form.....I want to get better each time....I want to be rewarded monetarily, as an indication that it was better....(how else will you know?).....I want to master this venue....I want to learn SL marketing (I'm bored with RL marketing).....and an income was coming in on the homes I sell.....(so I know it is not impossible)......so now I want more income on the furniture! I want this....I want that.....I want more.....

Pure Greed!

omg Skell.....I see a career in your future. Send a notecard to every business owner, and tell them you will supply a very thorough, detailed critique of their store for 500L.... totally serious.....get rolling......then up it to 1000L....(we must acknowledge greed)...... Even start a blog critique....similar to a movie or restaurant reviewer.....and toss some royal Tude and sarcastic wit in with it.....and you're a hit. That was an awesome review.

Just make a sale image and stick it over/near the ones that are on sale.. Something small even like a heart/star/etc, something that loads quick. I had one.. Even though it vanished somehow.

Lol.

.....runs over to the store, and frantically starts rearranging.....dusting....oh no, that piece of artwork is hanging crooked!.....oh no....I've not had time to finish that display!.....oh no....those color combinations are all wrong!.....and Ralph's litter box is full!......and why did they have to tear the roadway apart? today of all days!......omg....hurry....Skell is coming!

hehe....

O.o

Was I *that* loud?!

I'm greedy! I'm greedy for people to like and appreciate my work and to prove that by forking over a few lindens But it is a labor of love, no I am not in it for the money but I'm not handing it out for free, something has to cover the cost of uploads lol

I get so much enjoyment from making the stuff, if there were no capability to sell it then I would still be making it for myself...but since I can sell it, then I want to present it and promote it well, so that I can get some validation for my work

I can see by the replies that yes, it was a misunderstanding

in my opinion if a person really only wanted to do it for the pure enjoyment and was not at all interested in any of the money side (no matter how little) they would put them as freebies, if this comment offends anyone I am sorry, but that is just how I see it, doesn't necessarily mean that is how it is for others. So no I am not pointing the fingers, it was a poor choice of words, I am merely saying how I see things, if you do not fit this description then good for you, doesn't change the fact that it is how I will see it.
An opinion is simply that, an opinion, if you do not agree with my opinion so be it, not gonna get upset about it.
If people think I am egobloated, or that I am greedy, so be it, again, it is their opinion, and I am not going to worry about their opinion. I know who I am and why I do what I do, that is all that matters to me.
I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Arcadia Aslym (I can never spell the last name right), and she has/had no desire at all to make any money be it 1 cent or 1000's of dollars, from her stuff. I am sure many of you are familar with the hobo stuff and the slum city stuff, if not, go find some, she does/did amazing work, and refuses to take anything for it and also doesn't want anyone to sell it either (and she makes her stuff full perm)
I learned a lot from her about building and such as well, and it was from meeting her that got me to thinking about why I create and choose to sell it.

I take back my comment about "anyone who sells it, etc" and I will only speak for myself. It has taken me awhile to face the truth. Yes I very much enjoy creating, but I had to ask myself, if my sales suddenly just stopped, completely, no sales at all, would I continue, and the answer is probably not. I need the income from the sales to continue to do what I love to do. It would not be as fun for me, if I had no store or no freedom to do as I please with my land.

I am quick to anger and quick to get hurt and yes sometimes I reply with a dramatic flair, for that I apologize, but it is who I am, like it or leave it. I know for a fact some do not like me and that is fine.. to those folks I just simply ask to just ignore me. To those that do like me, thank you, for accepting me as I am (even when I put my foot in my mouth)

If I wanted to create and not get anything from it except the pure pleasure, I would just simple set up a sim on my PC using that opensim or whatever it is called, and simply enjoy it myself. For me when someone buys something I made, it gives me that little "oh my, someone bought it" and when I run into someone wearing something I made, I also get all giddy and excited. I guess for me the selling part puts a value on it, it sort of proves to me that yes indeed others do find it worthwhile, kind of an end to justify the means. I have also sold the things I created in RL, and the ones that I did for pure enjoyment I refuse to sell, even when the offer is over $500 US, I still refused to sell.

As for SL I do it for the enjoyment, and also the income it provides which sometimes actually covers tier... but not always. Sort of like selling things in RL that one would consider a hobby, it is sold to cover the expense of the products needed to continue with the hobby, unless one is independently wealthy, which I am not.

I also look at the work of others and think... man if I was that good (Simone! comes to mind, I love her stuff, and Bare Rose, as well as other numerous places I have seen)

sorry for being so long winded


This is exactly what I was trying to say, we sell it because we also need or want the income, and to me that is not doing it just for the pure enjoyment. It is also not being greedy to me either.

ok so lets move forward in a positive light and leave the drama at the door

Yes you were, Skell

Seriously....go do the other stores....I'm dusting and tweaking, now.....and need more time to get ready.....somehow, Ralph got inside the store today....and needless to say, I will have to change out all the rugs.

(see....just the idea that you will be showing up unannounced....with your clipboard in hand...or do you use a pocket voice recorder?.....to comment on every detail.....is maddening.....gut wrenching.....dramatic.....I love it.) I bet people will be bribing you for good reviews, too.....think of the possibilities.

I know lol I felt like I was running around my shop with a dustcloth all last week

I still need the 'gift to group members only' thing...I found a script in the Script Library forums but I can't seem to make it work I'll let ya'll know if I get it figured out!

oh geez....there I was....minding my own business.....sopping up cat urine from the rugs....in my evening gown.....when Skell appears outside the front door! with his clipboard! Holy crap.

I fumbled in my purse for cash....(bribery money).....and only have 5 dollars! The kiss of death is upon me! Fortunately, I was wearing the low cut gown, that I practically fall out of......so I dropped the 5 dollars on the floor....slowly bending over, to pick it up.......do I stand a chance????

....glances at Skell's profile......nope.

oh dear....the lobster and filet dinner, with expensive wine and cherry cheesecake did not work either.

This man has morals!

Ha! Cleavage doesn't work on me

Well, you did kind of ask for it, y'know. Here ya go, Mickey:


Store name: Etcetera Furniture Accessories
Owner: Mickey Vandeverre
Location: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Dream%20City/108/157/24

--Initial impressions--

Teleport window - Nice, clear image that states exactly what's available: furniture, accessories, new designs and resell.

Teleport window keywords - ETC. Furniture, Accessories, bars, kitchens, beds, rugs, sofas, dining, candles, baths, office, art, murals, plants, patio, vases, bookcases, food flowers, unique items, original designs, resale items from quality designers like Ramos, Del Sol, Hoffman

(food flowers? Possible missing comma there? *g*)

OK, let's hit that Teleport button...

--Rezzing--

I landed facing NW, outside the store. Slightly away from the TP beam, but beams and arrows are our friends in SL *g* I like the welcome mat; always nice to feel welcome! Immediately outside the store, the fountain creates a soothing atmosphere, and the planters are a welcome break on the sidewalk. I cam around a little before walking into the store. To the left is the classic red pushpin landmark-giver. I landed at midnight, and the old-fashioned streetlights give a nice ambiance. LOVE the bus stop and assorted poseballs, and Ralph was meandering around outside, too. I do love store builds in SL that look like RL stores, not only in the way the store is created and laid out, but also the surroundings. You're in a nice area here!

OK, the doorway. It's a revolving one. Those things freak me out in RL, and what do I do in SL? I've never yet seen a clickable revolving door here, so I'm gonna do what I do in RL: take a run at it

OK, that worked and I'm in. And yes, I saw you over there, frantically sweeping that dust under the carpet Onto first impressions of the store, though.

After scaring Mickey out of her own store my eye is drawn to the boards by the bottom of the escalator (nice placing; pretty much where they'd be in a RL store. Good to give people something they're familiar with in RL...). One sign is a group join, the other informs me that Resale Furniture is on the second floor. Two gleaming escalators - one up, one down - are next to them, and there's another LM-giving pushpin right there. Everything in one spot, good!

Onto the displays, and this is the kind of store I love meandering around on a rainy Bank Holiday Monday. Lots of individual 'scenes' for each furniture set. First one on my left is a great orange tropical lounge set. Nice and bright and very eye-catching. Prices are good. A suggestion: perhaps have a box containing the whole set, at a slightly discounted price? That goes for all the sets you have here; people like to think they're getting a bargain, even if it's only 50L$ off when you buy the whole boxed set as opposed to all the items individually.

Walking around the lower floor, I'm particularly drawn to the bright colours. You have a great eye for design, and the items would appeal to a good cross-section of people. You use a lot of smooth black texturing in your furniture, which is a classic staple of bachelor pads everywhere; thought of sending some review items to SL blogs that cater for the guys here?

Nice idea to have a reception area with seats. The online indicator is great, and the ring bell for service was very tempting Again, these were all in the central 'info' area with the signs. LM-giver and escalators.

One small thing: you have two sections of texture flicker around the bar behind the reception area: one at the back of the bar itself on the left, and one where the small rug on the right (below the escalators) overlaps the large rug. Important little details that do catch the eye when camming and moving around!

I love the home office (the art wasn't set for sale, though?). There's a great typing poseball available in Bits & Bobs if you don't have it already. Might be a good one to have attached to the laptop in that set.

OK, I'm heading upstairs, and wheee! I get a ride on the escalator. Gotta say, I turn into a seven-year-old when I see these things inworld *g*

I'm glad to see, on the second floor (resale items) you have a large sign instructing people to pay and then ensure they *take* the items. I've been caught unawares before by not realising I had to take an item like that.

Up here, if you can spare the prims, I do suggest an invisible wall just around the hole in the floor where the escalator comes up. The floorspace is pretty narrow by the NE corner of the store and it would be easy to fall down. I do like riding those escalators, but not continually if I have a lousy sense of balance *g*

Up the next escalator to the third floor (cracking up at the poses I'm going through on my way up) and here's another big, clear sign to take items once you've bought them. Another group-join sign, too. On this floor you've used a leather bookcase to move shoppers away from the hole by the escalator. Smart thinking

The green ceiling lights by the east wall *really* caught my eye as I walked past, so much so that I cammed back. But they're not for sale? I wondered if they were part of the store build, but I hadn't seen them anywhere else. *Should* they be set for sale? (If so, I'd be tempted to buy them!)

--The general surroundings--

Camming out from the store I see a nice city build (with a very odd and rather brilliantly whacky store next door and across the road.) Your store is beautiful: a tall, elegant smoked glass and steel edifice that is a pleasure to shop at.

--Overall--

Highly-rated! A well-organised store with a lot of thought put into it. Definitely think about sending some review items to the mens' mags and blogs (try The Homme mag - http://www.thehommemag.com/ - a great glossy that interviews designers. Might want to think about taking out an ad in their next issue).

--Did I buy anything here?--

Many of your items are very modern, but I did find something that would fit perfectly with my gentleman's study that I've just rezzed on my own land: a great Edwardian-style plant stand with a couple of typical plants that a drawing room of that age would have. So I bought that. Thanks!

/me hopes if SKell hasn't been to my store yet for these ultra official reviews he wont get there for awhile!

Yes, for sure, same for me, looking to others is another way to learn a lot. But I have to say, speaking of Bare Rose (for Simone I don,T know), it's really not easy to compare. Bare Rose is a big team ... you, I and many others are doing all alone.

feel free to check out the small stores at my place

(I can cut the plot to put in your store name and description if you desire that, but no changes to the land it's self is to be made, since you have seen my place I am sure you understand why hehe)

I decided just now, to offer them each free, for a month, then at the end of the month, the person has to move out, to allow another person to move in.

The 3 renters I currently have, will be grandfathered in for a perm spot, since they were kind enough to actually rent there LOL.

So that being said... if you want one of the spots, go there, rent the spot you want for 1 week, I will refund that rent, and then add to it to bring it up to a month, that way the rental box can track the time, and when the time runs out, the spot is to be vacated to allow another.

Each spot will have a box on the wall under the unit number, just drop a notecard in it if you want the spot and it is already rented.

I would love to see those spaces get more use, and I know what it used to be like not being able to find nice places or just starting out and not being sure one wants to continue.

The only thing I ask, please do not sell freebies (reselling of stuff you purchased, ie yardsale, is fine)

adult items is fine, as it is a mature sim.

so I am gonna go log in, notify the current renters that they are now grandfathered in for as long as they like, with no more charge.


PS also I have done some reviews on my blog, but I will be transferring them to here and removing them from the blog, this way everyone can see another person's view.

bare rose is not one person?

I always thought that it was one person (june or jun or something like that)

oh that reminds me, I think it has been mentioned, putting a sign stating who are officially part of your team, so that will avoid ppl being scammed by others saying they are employees. (I plan to do that as well, I just keep forgetting to, so this is as much a reminder for me as it is for others)

as for Simone! I think it used to be just here, but not sure if it is that way anymore or not.

.....wipes her brow....whew!.....catches a whiff of something on her hands, and realizes she did not wash up from cleaning rugs, before she shook Skell's hand.

Thank you, Skell....that was very nice of you.

The "food flower" thing was because I ran out of space, and had to omit one comma. I thought surely no one will notice that....but you....and your attention to detail!

I ride the elevators every day for kicks.....and yes, I've fallen through that spot a few times, when I'm in the middle of setting up a display....so will take care of that.

On the boxing up of room displays.....I just learned last week, how to box up items...hehe....so I have that planned. I learned how to make fire last week, too....on a roll! Water is next.

On the Artwork not being for sale.....(and I'm open to comments on this)....I have scanned in some famous artists' work. I don't feel comfortable "selling" it. I'm not totally comfortable displaying it, not clear on what is acceptable behavior on that. But I do so love it in the room settings. There are some pieces of art that I purchased at other stores, for resale....I'm not clear if it is their original....or if they are scanning in other artists work, then selling. If it is a Monet or Van Gogh....well yes, I recognize those.....but on the abstracts it's not always clear.

I like to buy RL artist's work in SL. I use those often to decorate the homes. Many of those were set as "copy"....so I use those in the store for decoration......and this might be a lesson for some.....but I would NEVER set a piece of my artwork as "copy." Make me go back and buy another. I'm OK with that.

What the above dilemma has stirred up....is that I have started oil painting, again....and have made my own mini-paintings that match each furniture setting....it's been a blast. I will have those out soon.....then replace any artwork that I am not totally convinced was sold by the original designer.

I do enjoy the atmosphere of that location....it feels like a real downtown setting....I've had several different businesses there, and been there a long time. One fellow has an office store there, that is very nice.....and he's building a mall across the street from me...if anyone is interested. It looks very nice. I love the bus stop and make a lot of friends there....and you may catch me sleeping there, some times.

Great tips on men's mags and blogging....thanks.....I'm not super confident yet....still learning the basics.....need some more practice and tweaking......and I'll do that.

Whew! glad I got through that. Now I can relax, and read through the other reviews....looking forward to it, Skell....you have quite the flair! I actually got nervous. Thank you for going easy on me

forgive the totem posting about to happen, I think it best if I do each review on a review per post

Rose Encrusted Fantasy
Owned by Rhianna Larkham

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Dream%20City/56/159/24

My first impression upon walking into the store is that the designer must be new, as there is very little product offered, however what is offered looks like quality workmanship. The only downside to the ads, is there are no side views to be able to see the side seams. My first thought when I see the word, "encrusted" it tends to make me think yucky stuff, then when I am able to get past that word, my next thought is roses and fantasy, oooo this should be nice... again I am let down, no fantasy type clothing, and I had not seen any roses other than the logo.
I would rate the store nice on layout, lacking in product (which is not necessarily bad heh) and the name just doesn't work for me.
I would suggest to anyone reading this to go visit for themselves and make their own decision and judgment calls

Darkly Cute
Owned by Imnotgoing Sideways
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Ferguson/65/248/95

What a cute area, my urge was to go exploring, but... nope, I am here to review the store and such, so... resists the urge to explore, until I am done hehe.
What a cute store, it is in the shape of I think a sugar bowl, with the store sign out front, easy to read, but the sign doesn't indicate what the product might be. The main product seems to be the glasses, which from the ads seem to be very well made. Not sure if they are scripted as I can not find any info about the glasses, and being I am not looking for glasses, I will have to let you visit for yourself and see what you think. A bonus (which I need to add to my store but keep forgetting to do) is the owner has an online indicator.
I would rate the store as adorable, not a lot of product, again a new designer (so that is not a bad thing), and the name doesn't help with knowing what the product is. I expected something perhaps kid-like goth, cute but dark... Now off to explore the surrounding area hehe.

Talon Faire
Owned by Amaranthim Talon
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Misto%20Presto/216/21/155

I like the build but too many windows, which could be used to showcase more of the great product here. The name fits the style of clothing that this designer produces. (I will not comment on the logo or sign as I am the one that designed it for her hehe) Things seems to be rezzing very quickly which is always a good thing. The designer is putting out a new item as I arrived, which shows they are producing, also another good thing. The flowers in front of the door will leave you wondering where the steps are, so just walk right over them to get inside. (a step there with the flowers on either side would have been nice). The only complaint I have about this designer is that they put too many pictures in one ad, which tends to clutter it for me, I prefer clean backgrounds with 2 or 3 poses to show off the product. I like how they did the one ad for Silver Elegance, if they would do the rest like that, it would be much more pleasing to the eye. (one background type per ad)

RBZ Design Store
Owned by Ralektra Breda
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Romanenko/175/215/43

First impression is crisp and clean, with large ads. I have sort of a dislike of overly large ads, as I feel they are tying to make it seem like the store has more than it does. That being said, the items I do see, seem to have a very good quality to them, the biker jackets look very well done. The price is a little high for me, for just a single jacket. They do offer demos of the jacket so that is a bonus. There is a free gift box, but the alpha texture on it seems to make it look rather strange. So watch for that by the door. Definitely go upstairs and have a look at the beautiful clothing up there, totally different from the stuff below! Well worth the walk up the ramp
This store rates as very well done, the only thing I would change is I would put the classy stuff on the bottom floor and the biker stuff upstairs.