Advice on Sales!!

I will send my alt to take a look around your place later and a few more on here.

Yes, even shops that have been around a while can have flaws, I bet mine does too, well in fact I know one thing I need to do.

Thankies everyone for visiting my place yesterday! \(^_^)/ The responses, here and in note cards, were great! Heh.... And the sales weren't bad either. =^-^=

Things that I've done so far:

>> I moved my sign... It's now over the door and curved to match the profile of the cookie jar. I can see how that makes it more apparent that "this is a store". (^_^)y

>> I fixed that darn TP point. Although it's probably not pointing at my place directly (Dunno how to fix that (T_T).... It's at least not in my basement pond any more. (^_^)y

>> I enlarged my vendor boxes. I'll work on the layout, I don't think they're "on the wall" right now. (^_^)y

>> I fixed the URLs over in SLX... I TOTALLY forgot about that. (T_T)

Things to do:

>> I was a little silly for the backgrounds on the pince nez... I'll be fixing that this weekend. (^_^)y

>> Wah! And more selection!!! (O_O .... *Wipes all the junk off her workbench and puts the super-super-up-close goggles on!* (>_<

Thankies all!!!! This has been a wonderful help! \(^_^)/

Immy, the quality of your glasses is superb. I know because I now own a pair. I think once you start getting people standing in front of your vendors, the glasses will sell.

I did teleport in from the Search page and had no problems finding your store this time. I think most people know to spin around and look when we land and your sign is right there on the building now. Great job.

Marcel - I have been in your store once before but will return with this in mind this evening.

Ecclectic - Terminus - where Talon Faire is built has a long history actually- the Asian themes are an echo of its past- the building that houses the store was originally meant by its creator to be some sort of a temple if I recall the ad blurb- I just know I liked the colors when I saw it.
I am not sure what one would consider a target market- I make my clothes based on my own likes and dislikes - for example, I probably will never have casual short shorts or torn jeans or such because it is not my personal style. As for the pricing, perhaps it is high- perhaps not- again, I based it on what I am accustomed to paying when I shop for clothes in SL.

The advert boards I will look at in relation to your flow suggestion- I am not terribly sure what you mean by that- I would have thought the style of the photos themselves would lend unity- perhaps if you can expound on your meaning? Thank you for taking the time to review my store. Be well.

I have been thinking about moving my store. I had an opportunity yesterday at a great place to put it. I hesitated because I was thinking about all those landmarks. I went back this morning and, of course, the place had been snatched up by someone else. **sigh**

I'd welcome comments on my shop, too. I opened it briefly at Valentines and then opened permanently at the end of May. Business for cards and invitations has been quite good. I don't have many gifts available yet, but I have several new gift items that I'll make available in the next few weeks. Thanks!

The prising thing may be becuase im thrifty. I dont tend to spend a lot in SL without having seen the item on someone else or having tried a freebie etc. If i do spend I tend to spend only a few hundred linden. But even then it is unlikely I would spend L$400 on an outfit unless i LOVED it. Of course others will proberly see it differently, but for me in a market with sooo many things selling, unless you have the customer base and the exemplary quality selling high is hard.


For me I like things to have continuity (im kinda OCD). I like things to match. I found the different colours, different fonts and diffeent lay outs of the ad board muddling. The use of the different angles was great, but I dont know becuae all the ad boards were different I felt like they were created by different people (yeah yeah so i may be weird there... ). *shrugs* I just like things to match

Hmmmm as for the history surrounding the store etc?? maybe you could creat asmall japanese style garden (or IM me in world if you would like me to drop you one i made). With a bench and a placard on it as a bit of a memorial to before?? Set it off to the side a little and have your shop in more of a focus.

Target markets are hard. Try to think then maybe about how you consider yourself as a consumer?? If you are making things you like, then how would you categorise yourself? Dont be too ridged, but having an idea f who youare selling to and what they would like it important i think.

Anyway thats my ramblings

Thanks for the idea and offer. I'm pretty much at my prim limit and I've been having to tear up my 'home' portion of my build there to make room for my vendor boxes. But I'm dealing with it. (>_< If anything, I'll be reserving some prims for a few close friends that are going to a bit of trouble themselves first. (^_^)

As for other locations? That sounds fun, I'll think about it. I'm really after getting attention for the region I'm in. It has a bit of history over the past year of being recovered from a really nasty adfarm and turned into a nice Anime themed park and mall. You can kinda tell from all the odd parcel shapes. There is still some cleanup needed, but, most of the owners there are tiered out and can't afford any more of the land. (=_=)

I still remember it being the first place I ever found in search when I joined SL and searched for "Kawaii". I still remember meeting the builder of the giant tea set and we became best friends ever. And, finally my own purchase of my own parcel next door in order to get closer to her. (^_^)

Now that I'm playing with my creative spirit, this is really turning into a blast! Thanks a bunch for all the help, advice, and offers. I hope this thread is working for everyone else too! (^_^)y

Just been for a little nose around your store and really liked it. You have done a great job of the style even down to the classy small logo on the windows. In fact I forgot what I had gone to do as was having a good look around for my own interest which is a very good sign.

The ONLY thing I would say is missing is a variety of styles to suit all tastes, but it is a pretty new shop. The product seems really nice with the envelopes. One thing I forgot to check, do the cards have the change size script? I bought a card a couple of weeks ago for someone and they were modify by script on the sizing.

Hhehehehe Miles I just went for a nosey around too.

I have to say I love your store. It will well thought out. You can tell you have put time into deisnging the place. The overall look and feel of place does make me decide about taking a cloer look and yours was like ooooh nice. It made me want to see what you did cos you just rather know it will be good.

I liked the demo cards at the front, but maybe when you click on them ythey open but give you info on each type of card? It took me a minute to work out the difference between two of them.

Also maybe a notceard when you click on the custom cards telling you how loong it takes to get one made?? I liked the idea but wasnt sure how long they would take so i didnt buy.

Other than that cool store great product. As was said youneed a bit more variety but that will come. Oooh also are thy on SLX?? cos i would tend to shop for that kind of thing on SLX rather than in world if i didnt have the lm


Ohh one final note?? an SLURL is easier to use than the coodrinates. Ifind they never work for me so i am manually clicking over an island to get the numbers about right to get to a place

Thanks, Denise and Eclectic!I have a notecard giver on the reception desk and others scattered throughout the store on the lowest shelves (the ones with the personalized and photo personalized cards). Thanks for mentioning that you didn't know how long it took -- I'll have to think of a better way to call attention to those notecard givers. The notecard explains the amount of time and other details. (btw, I guarantee them within 36 hours or they're free, but they normally take much less time. It hasn't taken more than 24 hours on any yet.)I've got some up on SLX and OnRez and am adding more as time allows.Sorry, mine don't. It's a nice, somewhat rare feature. With mine, the envelope rezzes the card, placing it in front and to the side of the envelope. I wrote the script to work properly even if the user rotates the envelope before rezzing the card. But it would take a major modification (and I wouldn't know how) to make that script work regardless of modifications to the card's size. It's also tricky to make the script that opens the card cover work smoothly after resizing a card.

I have had a couple of people like the personalized cards they received so much that they wanted them extra large for display. In each case, I made a copy of the card using my invitations (which are similar, but much larger) and sent them as a surprise.Done. Thanks!

I have run a freebies blog for over a year now, and have a fairly steady following. What I do is go from store to store, and pick up their freebies, and then post the location with slurl to the blog, with a description of what I have found.

I have a long-standing invitation to designers that if they'd like to be mentioned, they simply need to email me and tell me how to find them and the freebie.

If you want to check the blog, it's http://virtual-freebies.blogspot.com

Now, I want to make the offer to you forum folks as well.

I went to RHA! yesterday too. The store was nicely laid out, it took a while to rez for me but that's pretty typical

The first thing I heard was the lucky chair calling my name! Ok, my letter, hehe Next was her automated greeter (I'm not hugely fond of automated greeters but if they don't spam me with landmarks and notecards, I don't mind them much), then next was Rha herself to tell me if I needed any help to just let her know It was kind of nice to see the store owner there, that isn't something that happens a lot. Again, the store felt airy and light, and the layout seemed well planned with separate areas for different types of clothing, and a great notecard display on how to adjust light settings in SL to optimize for better photos etc., which I found very interesting and of course grabbed a copy of

She did have a some game/contest type things which seemed to have attracted the attention of some shoppers who were there when I went in, that is probably a good idea to bring in people.

Again I'm not critiquing product as I don't really feel experienced enough to do that, I did like what I saw though. (please do not hesitate to critique my stuff tho, I can take it *water glass of whiskey*) but extra credit for Rha being in the store

For those of you looking for new store space...please feel free to check out my two Etopia sims. There are a variety of stores from tiny to entire bldgs that are available at the moment. I cant guarantee sales unless you market yourself, but i can guarantee a wonderful environment with friendly people and shop keepers who know and help each other...and of course me as the manager....LOL. IM me if you need any help.

Strange you should say this, I have always found that sales go down and people don't tend to stick around if I am in my shop. I know many feel uncomfortable if they think the owner is watching them and learnt to move off a distance when people came to the shop.

I have been reading this thread for a while now, and though I have nothing constructive to add, or help to give as I am new to the selling world myself, I do just want to say thanks to all who have contributed as I have got some great tips that may just help me market my designs/creations better. I thinks its awesome that in such a 'competetive' world, everyone can pull together to help one another. Second Life residents at their best!
Oh and if anyone should decide to visit my store, please be aware that i am working on changing things .. need a new sign for sure, thats being the hardest part so far

Oh, I've been to your place. Love the layout (inside), the building, and the whole look of the place (inside&outside)- the roads and parking lots, and everything.

I have no need for furniture, so cannot comment there. Well, behind noting that it is much better to see the items and test them, as you have set it up, than to see pictures. I do not think I like the male or female sit pose, but that's just me I'm sure (heh, that's for one table/chair arrangment, not sure if all are that way).

Oh, and neat back area.

(I more than likely have misused a lot of words above; I cannot seem to write correctly today, I had to change "need" to "neat" when I meant "neat", and wrote "who" when I meant "whole" in second sentence)

Yes, I have a certain problem if the owner is there. I feel as if they are staring at me and I mumble something, stumble around as if I'm looking at stuff, then flee.

Amaranthim and Kesseret - thank you so much for stopping by the store.....I've been wearing Amaranthim's gown and loving it! The scarf around the neck and the skirt pieces blow in the wind and look quite elegant and dramatic. Kesseret - I will get to your store, tonight. And the others, too! And I'm looking forward to hearing about all the changes you all made from the suggestions people gave you.

Just wanted to mention....that I have 2 floors of resale items, from my favorite designers, and mix other designers' accessories in with my furniture, (since I just started), and have not had time to design all that stuff....so please only critique my own pieces on the first floor, and not the others....ha!

But that's also an open invitation, if you are designing furniture and home accessories.....send me a note.....I can either use it to decorate the houses I sell, or put it in a corner of the resale shop. I've only run into one person, who got peeved about me re-selling, and we worked it out. I also ran into quite a few people who love the idea....because they've already made their money from me....and their pieces go into another store, for people to admire, click on....then run to their store....it only makes sense.

Imnot....I'm going to clear out a spot in the store for your sunglasses....will send you a note when it's ready....might even put a corner of landmarks in the store for the people I met in this thread....we can do a little "bartering."

Awesome ideas from you all helping each other in this post....taking tons of notes, and learning a lot. Way to go.

Rhianna's presentation has improved so much! I can see your ideas in place and blooming.

I kind of agree... There's a bit of nervousness in me when I meet a store owner. Particularly if it's a real professional looking setting. I have found myself a bit personally overwhelmed when I see the store owner in a place I'm visiting and I get super shy and usually wander off to wait for the place to clear out before I return. (>_<

Guys we have been talking about a group- I would like to start that tonight unless someone has already done so? I would like to make the focus of the group not just discussion in general but active promotion of each other's products regardless of what it is. I am thinking JoJo may be interested in same or similar- so would like t speak with her regarding that in case it is best to have sort of sister groups or just one group- I have some ideas I want to kick around with you guys about this- time is the issue and heading into the weekend now I will barely have Saturday. I don't sleep as it is.

I do think we are doing a great thing here between us and would like to see it grow and be of help to all designers- new and established.

The idea of helping others out with their stuff in your store, or even just having favorite stuff from other people in your store is neat and all, but the mixing is going to send up a little red flag in my head. Stupid red flag. I was in a store the other day, and I started looking around. Stuff looked like it was by Pixel Dolls, but I didn't remember the name of that creator. Then I saw the Pixel Dolls logo on some stuff on the far wall. It wasn't Pixel Dolls, and it wasn't an offshoot of Pixel Dolls (though that place seems to have about 20 stores and they keep moving and changing, or seem to do so). Point is that I had gone there to look at skins and shapes and found clothes on the first floor that seemed to be mixed Pixel Dolls, not Pixel Dolls. And then the upstairs also had Pixel Dolls skin on one wall (oh and that didn't have Pixel Dolls logo, I don't think though I might be wrong, I just recognize the style of the skin and ad board), and one or more other designers skins up. I still don't know what is going on there. Was it just mixing of stuff? Was there anything there that was original? And if not, were they resellers, or was this some rip-off store?

Can't recall the stores name now that I had gone to that I mention above.

Oh, and hehe, now I recall. Crystal's or something like that, I mention because someone with that name kept very very slowly moving towards me as I was shopping. They had someone with them that was following them. They never said anything to each other or to me in chat. They got to within meters of me and I continued to stroll around, but left shortly thereafter. It was . . . odd that they kept getting closer and closer but didn't say anything to me or to each other, or seemed to be shopping, less odd if she just had the same first name (the place just has the first name).

Mickey- take a peek at my blog for the upcoming gown I mentioned to you- I am not real happy with that photo but after I crashed last night the one I had started got eaten and I didn't have the energy to rework properly then- so I sort of put one together but will re-shoot particularly since I have not added the prim skirts in the pix.

You know- I have not felt intimidated by having shop owners around, but have felt the need to leave if someone comes in so they won't feel like- damn she's here- I better buy something!

I love meeting the store owners while I'm shopping. Saying "Hi" often brings about some great beneficial relationships....not to mention Discounts!

I do wonder about being in my own store, while someone pops in. I usually say "Hi" ....offer assistance.....then start rearranging stuff, or plop a building block down and start building something....that way they don't think I'm "hovering." And I'm still there, if they want to chat, or need help. I think it would be worse, to run off the minute they land.

Soji - thanks for the thoughts on that....I do say Resale on all the signs.....it really began as a way for me to clear out a ton of inventory....it's also kind of like a storage facility for me to plop everything out, and look at it....so that I can see what I have....then take the items to one of the houses to decorate with.

Stop by, and check it out....and let me know if you have any suggestions. Thanks!

Like on Imnot's sunglasses, or logos/landmarks, to other stores.....I think if they are on a display board....with a clear sign....and landmark giver....it should be fine.....will let you know how that works out.

I'll check it out, Amaranthim!