Advice on Sales!!

Looks wonderful Denise, it was not that i could not photoshop a logo, it was just getting the extra's too work.

While i like the rose and the diamonds now it's too big, the writing text and style does not really stand out much, i prefer the yellow colour in mine but overall it's great

Rhianna,

I sent you a PM, but you deserve a public apology as well. The very first time I held a supervisory position, m boss told me "praise in public, criticize in private", and I should have remembered that. I'm sorry.

Thanks Marcel.

I agree with you. It was just a very quick mock up of the original logo making it as close as possible so not actually redesigning but so that it has a more dramatic effect to stand out.

how is this one?



Anyway, not going to spend more time playing as have own stuff to do and looks like my efforts are not liked

Rhianna, personally I really dislike the yellow text as not colours I would put together and prefer to keep number of colours down, less is more and all that. Often the picture of your logo can be more memorable than the text, I do make quite nice profit from my business and really my logo is quite a bit bigger than the shop name. It's the overall look that people remember.

Anyway, it's your logo, just thought would try and assist as it really looks blurry and unmemorable to me.

Rhianna, as you tweak that logo, keep in mind that it will look different in SL than it does in Photoshop or in this thread. Under some conditions in SL (time of day, lighting, various users' preferences, and various users' hardware), if a sign doesn't have ample contrast, it will be difficult to read.

I like the yellow text, but I'm concerned that it will be more difficult to read inworld than the white -- the white text provides the contrast that you need inworld. One other thing going for the white: it matches the color of the diamonds. (Nice job with that, Denise!) In fact, the slightly black shadow of the text also matches the black in the diamonds, although this feature may be too subtle to be obvious inworld with some users' hardware.

The one thing I'd change is the alignment of the text. The rose faces toward the right and the diamonds spill to the right. Consider letting the text flow with that left-to-right movement:

(imagine spaces instead of periods)
. Rose
. . . Encrusted
. . . . . Fantasy

I got the land subdivided (took all of 30 seconds, and did not need permission......learn something new every day - thanks for the info on that).....so Rhianna can have her own logo, description, and traffic.

Time for Key Words......to plug in.....and the perfect header for maximum traffic. I'll be taking notes......

Ok i've changed the text too white, messed with my background and also sorted out the rose.

Miles - Yes it's a nice logo just not for me, it's too big for one and i don't like the spill of the diamonds underneath. When i came up with the idea for my logo i wanted something simple but nice. I also like how Marcel explained how too have my logo.



So i've adjusted a little and redone the text colour.

Yay!!!

Thank you Mickey, yes please give ideas for keywords. I really need too figure out some words that other designers don't have.

I only have expertise at shopping and searching......and first thing that comes to mind, is that when I search for clothing.....none of the words I use are .....Rose Encrusted Fantasy.....but that's the title of your store, and it takes up a lot of space in the header......

What do the experts say about that? You would certainly want your store name there....but what if the words of your store name aren't popular search words that define what you are selling?

I'm trying too think up some keywords too put down for my store, i'm not really sure though what would work and what is not already the norm too have.
These are what i have upto now, can anyone suggest any too add on too it?

men, woman, skirts, skirt, tops, top, sexy, seductive, flirtly, flirt, long, short, mini, fantasy, casual, hot, fashion, satin, cotton, silk, brocade, jeans, bikini, gorean, chic, wool, punk

Rhianna...when determining key words...think of the words someone would search on to find your items. I have not spent time looking at your products, so not familiar enough to tell you specifics, but i will give you examples. I sell blankets and couches and chairs and curtains, etc. I use those words and dont even bother using more broad terms like furniture because when i go shopping i search for exactly what im looking for. By doing this, people who want a blanket see my store listing right away. If you can put yourself in your customer's frame of mind, that will help you. I also try to think of alternative phrases people might search on...so i use couch AND sofa, curtains AND drapes. Also think about your fabric choices. If you have sequined dresses, add the words sequins and sequinned...that sort of thing. Also, then you have to make sure that the names of your items have those words in them as well. If you sequined dress is called "jane," when i look at the list of items under your store listing in search i may pass because i dont actually "see" any "sequined" dresses.

As for the words you have there, i would leave out the ones like hot and flirty just because i dont tend to search for "hot" dresses....giggling.

I wonder if I can butt in a bit and ask for the same critique Rhianna is getting without starting my own thread. My signboard and locations are in my sigline. I'm happy to say I've made my 2nd SLX sale last night, so I'm pleased with that. (^_^)

And I know I'm using banned keywords in my land description, please don't worry about that. (^_^)y

For someone who didn't like mine, you have used my actual rose and diamonds

I honestly think Lindal meant that kindly, Rhianna. I'm being made redundant this month and am going through the tough business of finding another job too - it's hard, especially when you are older, as I am. So sympathy and hugs from me.

Thanks for starting this interesting thread and drop me a LM to your store when it's set up so I can come shopping. Very best of luck to you in your SL business and your RL job hunting.

/me makes mental note "must improve SL business logo".

Hi Rhianna, not sure if someone has mentioned it already but I believe if you make a classified and you are standing in the spot you want people to tp in at, it will use that as a landing point in your ad and there is the added benefit of seeing how many people clicked it to tp from. Ads take time to gain notice just like in the real world but the classifieds are worth it imo.

Yes i used part of your rose and diamonds, the Rose itself and the small spill falling from it, i was not too keen on the diamonds dragging along but other than that it was good

Hope you don't mind

I have a classified too one of my mall locations at the moment, when i get the store fully opened i will place my classified there *smile*

Also i've had a few suggestions too scrap the words in my logo, apparantly Encrusted is maybe not the best word hehe and Rose is used an awful lot so i'm told. What do you think, should i change the name?

Fashcon has paid for me because every new release I post a note and literally 20-30 people show up, and it goes for a couple of days because of the rush. I get my name out and seen and believe it or not a couple blog reviews because of fashcon. It may not pay for everyone, to be honest, but it surely has paid for me. But I also didn't pay the 1000L to join Fashcon, when I joined you had to talk to Honey directly.

The feeds, you contact the feed creators. Both are listed on the feeds. Contact me inworld for more info, I don't bite.

Also, don't feel bad if like 5 months from doing all this design work you realize you have a new idea for vendors and a redesigned logo. That's what happened to me. My products changes defined how I changed the way my store looked from a branding perspective. And I probably will, one day, redesign it all again. (Not anytime soon, for that was a LOT of work).

Kesseret- I will look you up tonight- thank you for the input-

Imnot- had a good idea and we can all further help each other here- how about we all visit each other's stores and give back a little critique here of what we liked and didn't and how it affected the shopping experience? Suggestions for what you may want to see there -

We should also encourage anyone coming into this thread to do the same- it would be a great help for many I am sure.

If anyone doesn't yet have their slurl in their siggy posted here so we can go exploring tonight- It will be the first thing I do tonight- to look at all u guys stores.

For mine- please use the main store location at Terminus Gardens- http://slurl.com/secondlife/Misto%20Presto/216/21/155

I know I said I was done with the forums, but since the OP decided to not respond to my PM's I will make note of it here, so I know for sure it is seen, as well as a couple extra comments, then I will go back into lurk mode.

First off, I notified the OP in PM's that I have small stores for rent, perfect for those new to business in SL, only 2L per prim, with 25 and 15 prim spots. (and I know they got it as the read receipt said they did)

After reading through this thread, I decided I will subdivide those little stores so the store owners can have their name and descriptions in the land info. (good tip)

Also, as for the op's logo...
Until reading through this thread, I had no idea those were supposed to be diamonds coming from the rose, they just look like black and white blobs, with no rhyme or reason

Name... try Diamond Rose Designs or Diamond Rose Fantasy
I debated doing up a logo to help out the OP, but after seeing the reaction to the one offered, I can plainly see the OP is definitely set on the logo they have, and like many of us, hate change.

This is a nice thread, even though I have seen countless other threads just like it, for some reason this thread ended up being helpful (whereas most of the time, ppl get annoyed because yet another person wants all the answers easily).

That being said, it would be awfully kind of those who are offering assistance and critique if they would also offer it to others requesting it (myself included, as I am requesting it now). I tried contacting folks in PM, to see if I could get some helpful advice on my store, but no replies.

Sales have been dismal, I am trying anything I can to get folks there, and sadly it is failing. (I have 2 lucky chairs, a guess and win, a what is in the box, as well as the lucky fortune teller games) and no one seems to be using them (they are fun, really!)
Heck I even had a 50% off (via refund) sale and even that was a failure
I also use fashcon, as well as subscribe o matic, with over 250 registered on it. I have my own blog, and also blog on one called fashion finds in phil's place

WHAT does a person have to do?
(and I am no new seller, been doing this for about 2 years and just can not seem to figure out how folks get their name and stuff out there, is my stuff that bad?)

edited to add, the logo/banner in my sig is not quite what my logo looks like, but very close hehe (I change things over time, the cat and eye are gone, the Rha! is still the same, and now has a silhouette of a woman sitting on the name, which I think fit me better hehe)

ok... goes back into lurk mode

First off a big credit to Rha for my own logo -


Rha- I asked above about maybe everyone going around to each others' places and offering critiques- I really do believe that would be helpful.

My boss in RL started a sort of networking group of peeps who recommend each other for business and generally share ideas in marketing strategies and other things- I think that could help us- SL Content creators to some degree.

I am very happy with this thread too- that it really is providing lost of helpful advice. It would be nice if it got stickied but in lieu of that- we can at least bump it from time to time- it would be great if we could generate interest from the big names in SL, too.

I was thinking too- let's try and keep notes as to what we look for when we look for something- and incorporate that into out own business strategy. Another thing- we could cross promote each other in off world ways- Like I mentioned I just started a blog of my clothes, another poster added he/she - sorry I don't recall right now who said it- blogs a little about different SL things- good idea since it may generate hits that way too.

I would be happy to add any of you here to my blog and would hope you guys would do the same for me.


I think, individually we may be floundering- but together- maybe we can do more - How about it guys? An SL Small Business Coalition sort of thing?

I am happy you like the logo
I saw your post and thought it was a good idea and will be visiting some store today

I added you to my blog

(GAH re-enters lurk mode)

something tells me I am back to posting... however, it will only be on these types of threads (the resident answer types, Q&A advice, suggestions, etc)

I plan to leave the drama behind, and if I find myself getting back to that point, I will just walk away again.

(besides I have found that it is hard to help folks via PM, either they ignore it, or they do not have them turned on)

and I like to help when I can

Anyone who needs help, please contact me...i do consulting in SL for just this kinda thing and im happy to give you a few pointers for free...Some of the folks here have done so already.

I would be willing to start a group where we actually meet once a week in world as well. If anyone is interested please im me...I teach classes in how to increase traffic, biz 101 etc but i agree that ongoing support and discussion is always helpful.

I have added my slurl to my signature, if anyone wants to come by and critique me feel free, but please be gentle, I'm still new (looks in Ordella's direction and trembles visibly).

I have to go to a birthday party tonite but this weekend I will wander around some shops and offer my opinions but take them with a grain of salt because like I said, I am still new. I do know what I like though

and wouldn't it be nice if maybe the general public, not just designers, visited as well? NO I'm not trying to push sales, just want to know their opinons! *cough*

I will visit and send a notecard to you with comments, praise and if any, critique

yes it would be nice if the general public would also join in

Adding you to mine as we speak, Rha- and glad u delurked even if just on and off

Jojo- your notecard was highly informative as have been many of the posts here- count me in for any inworld group discussions- we can certainly give it a go.

I just posted the suggestion of cross-referencing each other's offworld content to the Resident Run Website forum- guys - we can do this- the more interest we generate the better it will be for all of us.

any one have a look at the Gridverse thing in the Resident Website forum- that looked real good- I want to research that tonight and see if any advertising applications we could possibly ask the creator to help us get noticed on his maps Not sure how it works yet so don't want to ask stupid questions- information is crucial.

Immy, I haven't had a chance to get to your in-world store yet, but I will. I have looked at your SLX ads though.

The ads on three of them are so dark, it is hard to see what you are selling. You should probably redo those to look like the other ads with the white background.

Also, consider making your SLURL in the ads clickable. It is so much easier to do than cut and paste.

I would also like to see a demo version of your glasses that you could sell for 1 Linden. All the better hair places do that and I always take advantage of it. I have a big head. Are your glasses going to look right on me? Most people don't want to spend 125 Lindens to find out if they are getting the right style, fit, or color.