Advice on Sales!!

It was the kids stuff I was thinking of - I'd include it in the store with everything else, as a seperate department rather than as a seperate building, so that people will find it just by wandering around the other parts - and vice versa.

Non-english speakers may think the skybox looks nice for the ground and not realise that it's designed to be in the sky. New english speaking users could think that too. It takes a little time to come across skyboxes and realise what they are. The word "Skybox" could be thought of as its name rather than its function for many of them.

Thanks for the advice. I should have thought to change the notecards myself, but I'd only had about 4 hours of sleep, I was still half-zonked and then I saw that offline IM, and argh!

Phil, you know I hadn't even thought a new or non-English user might not realise skyboxes are intended to be rezzed in the sky. I've given it a bit of thought and written a post on my store blog about it, so when I edit the notecards inworld I can add the link to that post for a more detailed explanation. Thanks for putting that thought forward; I really hadn't considered it.

However, I still have to deal with my confused non-English-speaking customer. I think my first sally into replying will be to try and clarify what they want: whether they simply want to get in and assume they need a door to do so, or whether they actually *want* a door as part of the build. If it's the former, then that's as easy as trying to explain how to rez and edit a cube... to a potential newbie with a huge language barrier.

I'm beginning to think adding a door would be easier

First let me say- I like doors- even if I don't use them - I want a door- I want the option I have had three sky boxes one of which though lovely i tore out the ceiling and changed a wall so I could have a "door".

Second- volunteering to help if they speak Spanish- only language I can offer translation in if it helps.

I've just got inworld, and her groups suggest she speaks Spanish: SL Argentina, UniHispana, etc. I might have to take you up on that offer, Amara. Thanks. *g*

My pleasure hun- any time- btw- went by your location where u had the partnering- picked up a cute little rat!

I deal with similar issues because of my personalized cards. Info is available in notecards, in the items' hover tips, my Profile Picks, and a little info is available on my store's signs. The notecard thoroughly explains the procedure to place an order, and that notecard is available in several locations in the shop. But many people don't take the time to read it. (It's not always a matter of whether someone can read English.) And I understand -- they want to have fun shopping, not take time to read details.

Hover tips are great, but some people simply don't know they even exist.

I'm in the process of redoing signs. I'll have more info available without needing to read the notecard or hover tips. Still, I'm pretty sure some won't read the signs, and some will have difficulty because English is not their primary language. I'll also include more info in my Profile Picks and blog.

I'd like to offer info in various languages, and if I can find some people who'll translate at a reasonable cost, I'll make info available in as many languages as I can. Yet, so few English-speaking customers take time to read the notecard before purchasing, I wonder if it's worth it to offer the notecard in other languages.

I sympathize with you. I'm committed to providing the best customer service I can, but there's no perfect solution to providing info.

So... How about we all get together and plot a little Halloween Haunting? We could set up some creepy stuff and some costumes maybe and a Holiday Sale then cross announce to our store groups- it is bound to generate some fresh faces in the way of visitors! I picked up some really cute bats at Wren Mall this morning- they fly out of a hole! I am going to decorate Talon Faire tonight- so- any one else have Haloweenie stuff I should go buy for my store?

I don't but am going to work on costumes -

I got a lot of neat halloween decorations from the freebie part of SLex today, was planning on decorating at some point today

/me grins. Everyone loved little ratty!

When considering this, one has to weigh your final point with the potential expense of hiring professional translators. If I were to offer translations like that, I would probably write the info as simply as possible, using very basic words (no contractions, no SL slang), and then plug it into Babelfish for a translation, possibly asking around for someone who speaks the language who can give it a quick glance-over to make sure there are no glaring errors. But I suspect that as few people would read translations as read the original English.

http://www.slfavorites.com/

Hmm... is it like what exists now?

Are you thinking of the Simbolic translator? It is WONDERFUL and works way better than Babbler ever did. Plus it lets me speak to, and understand, anyone in the chat area speaking the language set to understand.

Not in world, but a search on Simbolic will gt you there

Well, since you asked I just made a Jack-O'-Lantern and put it for sale in my shop. There are a lot of Jack-O'-Lanterns available in SL, but this one's a bit different from the majority you'll see. It's L$95 and has a candle inside. Touch any part to toggle the candle flame.

I also have three decorative pumpkins. (They're related to the Jack-O'-Lantern, but they avoided the cosmetic surgery.)

that is what I did last night LOL

still might shuffle stuff around in the store, not sure yet, also put out my small collection of furniture and prefabs packages

decided to not sell the stuff via my alt

now here is a strange happenstance

a friend whom I have not spoken to in awhile, IM'd me to tell me they added a maternity portion to their sim with rentals for kid vendors, and said they are giving me first option on renting a space!!
woot (and not a new sim, nor new players this is afaik established (or was the last I checked hehe)

weird how things happen

I saw those in the new products, how the heck do you get it so the flame doesn't disappear because of alpha sorting (I tried making jack-o-lanterns and that was the biggest issue for me)

I never really got into the halloween stuff, prolly won't this year either
(I do have xmas stuff I put out each year though)

Use particles for the candle flame instead of alternating alpha textures. It'll look better, too.

I sent out the LM for the Simbolic translator in Biz Owner's Group, didn't mention there I don't think that even tho it works great, it's free!

and Myles, woot I'm comin for a punkin

ty x 2! I got the LM when you sent it out to the group -- can't wait to try it out.

I'm moving along in getting my shop ready to go. Most recent step was to create a group for my store. I know I've joined groups by touching signs or something in other stores. Is there a simple script for that?

(I don't have the lindens or business going yet to invest in one of those "non-slot" type group joiners.)

I would like to set out a sign for people to touch and join the group.

Thanks in advance for any help with this

I've been distant and quiet, I know....R/L is just kickin my butt. I'm working on getting a new release out on Oct. 1: a fairy costume in 10 colors, and a sweater/trousers for the men. Also trying to get new freebies out for October, something halloween themed, and decorate the mainstore....


Then I'll be posting my October notice in all the groups. I think I'm going to have to back off to once a month new releases instead of once a week, just because R/L is being such a slave driver. I there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done, even if I do limit sleeping to 5 hours a night, and I'm finding that is not healthy for me....

Just too much going on.....and S/L isnt' r/l so S/L is first on the chopping block...I'm okay with it though...I'm accepting that i'll probably not be a big name designer in SL, only because I don't wish to invest the money or time it would take to become one...I'm happy creating my clothes, and I sell enough to cover my expenses of my shops, so it all balances out

just have some r/l priorities right now...

Wanted to let all you fashion designers know about a dollarbie skin that looks like a manniquin. It's at Imagen at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Daffodil%20Island/7/92/22

Would be great for posting pictures of your clothing!

I will check that skin out tomorrow! And Czari, I have a script for you, I've logged for the nite now but I will send it tomorrow and if I don't, feel free to remind me

They touch the prim it's in and the link comes up for them to join group, real easy! And it even automatically brings up the group the prim is set to, no having to look up any group ID or anything

And it's an LSL script, free

Ohh, THANK YOU sooo much, Ralektra!!!! I really appreciate that!

i made a cute halloween poofer, it has a sculpty pumpkin i made with a witches hat and emits about 7 different cute textures.

I recently graduated from modeling school and need to build my portfolio. If any of you would like to use me for your clothing ads, I'll give you one free photo session (up to one hour), as long as I can list you on my resume.