Advice on Sales!!

A lot of people start trading in SL without having done the appropriate research and effort. In part Dani and I fell into this trap. However Dani was determined and has begun to turn this round by slow continual improvement, and now has a semi-successful business that just about covers it's own costs. People should know it isn't an easy ride, there is only one route to success. Hard graft and determination. It is possible to make a lot of money here. But only a very few will do so. Many will make a loss, a fair few will break even. a good number will make some profit. It is the same in SL as in RL. You have to make sure you are targeting the right market, making quality products that people genuinely want to buy. The difference between SL and RL is that more people are willing to offer good advice. And that is the point of this thread!

The trick to making a small fortune in SL is ....



.... start with a large one.

I agree, I rarely clothes shop now, and never really look at ads for clothing
I wear my own creations

and yeah it would be a waste of time and money if the only ones who saw it were other designers who are not looking to buy

I was releasing stuff every few days, but now I decided to cut it back, for a little while, and released once a month or maybe every couple weeks

I agree

which is why I feel, that the comments made were totally ok

I have had my store in SL over 2 years now, and I am by no means rich, I am lucky if I make tier each month (some months fall short)

but, I enjoy what I do, and as long as I can afford to do so, I will continue to do it

This one I can fully agree to, it's indeed all in wording

Though my only renter (I do not rent out shops anymore, but let 1renter stay) seems to do well, I think more shop renters do not make their rent, as that do. Creating enough stuff to have your own parcel, or have a store that you can list in search, is way better then pay for an anonymous spot in a mall, in my opinion.

The part about not worrying about sales is more then true. Some days I sell like crazy, but other days sales are low. Main thing is I love what I do, and as long as I do not have to put money in, I am happy. My goal is to earn money though, and that is my focus. My expansion plans do not quite help in that though

@Klyks: Saw you in the store but was very busy at that moment, else I would have said hi. Glad you liked it!

@Czari: Very welcome, I will try and update it when more data gets in.

Sorry folks. I took exception to this line...

... whiich is totally untrue, and I'm pretty sure it was inspired by a recent thread in which I was involved, especially as that line was closely followed by mention of "6 figures". Of course, I may be mistaken about its inspiration. I often try to encourage people in the forum because I know that it not only *can* be done, but it is also *being* done, and I mean with stores. I've seen it said in the forum that the days when businesses could start up and succeed to that extent are long gone, but they are not. That's what's so good about this thread - people helping each other to improve sales and to succeed.

Was in response to no other thread....I dont' read many if any threads here except this one.


Was my opinion.....I apologize for thinking I was entitled to my opinion. I'm done with this conversation. I will contribute nothing more.

It's not totally untrue. Some people will lie about their sales figures. The number 1 rule of business is confidence. You will always say you are doing well. Some people will exaggerate. Exaggeration is lying. So some people who say they are doing exceptionally well are lying (others are doing a lot of things right and are doing geniunely that well).... Anyway, I digress

However I agree it isn't impossible to make big money. But the days of making big money easily are over. I maintain that that is fact. There is good competition in almost every aspect of business and you have to do something very special to make sure you are doing very well from the beginning. A lot of newbies think they can make millions in no time at all with little or no effort. Unless you have a natural talent, then that simply isn't true. Making real money in SL or RL takes a lot of time, effort and, initally money. It isn't an easy ride any more. You have to be prepared to place 100% commitment into your business and make the right products.

The difference is you say "some" of the people who claim they are doing well are lying

whereas the other poster states that anyone who makes such a claim are lying

I can understand how someone would be offended.

(for the record though, I was not offended, or bothered by the statement, I know I am not making any such claims, so in now way would the statement reflect on me)

but for anyone who makes such a claim, they might feel as though they were being called a liar by such a blanket statement

I disagree about the #1 rule of business being confidence
I have confidence in my product and my abilities to create top quality items.
however that doesn't make my business great, it just makes my product great

what would make my business great would be to have the funds needed for some aggressive advertising to get my product out there, so folks can see it, want it, and buy it, funds I lack

as for anyone saying they make such and such from their business, it doesn't matter to me, it won't make me shop somewhere just because they might have a 6 figure income, if anything I would want to shop at lesser known places, so I am not getting the same thing everyone else has

Do you know what, there are people in here making 6 figures, they have unique products that are very well known throughout sl. That is the key really. You need to supply something that no one else does, or make it like no one else does. Then of course it needs to catch on, and its a dominoe effect.

Thats the thing though, the more succesful businesses here in sl are well known, so everybody loves them and uses them. We are creatures of habit and that is the same in sl. We like our brand names and face it alot of people are snobs, and yes sl is full of them. Even people who are not that way in rl, come into sl and the snob comes out,lol. Its just the nature of the beast.

Me, I have a few sales here and there, nothing to write home about, but it gives me a thrill when someone buys my items that I worked damn hard on to be perfect, or even join my subscribe o matic or group.

Alas , sl is becoming more like rl, with the different classes of avatars. Its a shame really. I have a big no dramazone at my house for a reason. I get enough of it in rl, sl is my haven.

Now before anyone gets hot under the collar this isnt aimed at anyone at all, its just a general comment. Im not a nasty person in sl or rl, I hate confrontations and avoid them at all costs, Of course if im backed into a corner i come out swinging, lol.

So take a big breath, exhale, no doesnt that feel better. This thread has given me so many useful and interesting things to ponder and try. My sales havent picked up, im lucky to have one sale a week, but i have a lot of fun creating not just what I sell, but things i create to bring others happiness.

Thats my two cents, take it or leave it, pull it too pieces and quote out of context, doesnt bother me, just be gentle on me personally, lol.

That line was totally untrue. It said that people who say they make that much are liars. It didn't say that *some* people who say it are liars. It was all-encompassing

It certainly takes a lot of effort to build up, plus the ability to make things that enough people actually want to buy. It's not a doddle. Danielle was right that you can't just rent some store space, put some things in it and loads of money will come rolling in. It won't. But good money *can* be made if a person is capable of making things that enough people will want to buy if they see them.

So... to recap my recent perceptions re marketing and tell if we are on the same page- given the overall agreement - only overall because there was some different outlook- re magazine ads in world... waste?

And re the advert group- if they can show a cross section of sorts of who advertises- maybe? I am thinking of joining and seeing what kind of advertising comes to me. BTW, you have to apply to join- so I will let yo guys know about that.

Magazines: well, i think more research into the matter. Who is using them??? what sort of ads are they using, are they done professionally or a layman can do it?? How big is the circulation?? Is it a sl magazine, or can it be read on the web??? How are the articles written and presented?? Does it reach your target clientles?? Just some things to consider in my opinion.

groups: mmmm paying for a notice??? well they are making money, lol. Im a bit on the fence with this one, i think i would join and just watch the group for awhile, tp to a few places as the advertise and see if anyone comes. Just do some recon, lol.heeheh like the spy movies. Then if your satisfied use the services, i mean it maybe great to get more people thru your store. Not everyone buys, but they may come back at a later time and buy.


good luck with it and hope you post back with results of your endeavours

So trying to get back on track here... assuming we really did have unlimited funds- let's brain storm...

Classifieds: We know pay big for classifieds gets higher page position- we don't know 100% that classifieds work because not everyone uses classifieds, but for those that do use it for search, then it works.

What else? What else should we be looking at?

Groups- Obviously guaranteed name exposure whether the peeps follow up or not- but your notice gets SEEN. Pro- traffic generator Con- limited number of announcements, groups with large enough membership and traffic does not guarantee sales (that's where your product quality and price comes in, but is different subject).

Own Group and Stimulating Membership - How do you attract and keep Group Loyalty?

Advertising in SL publications - Online vs In-World -

Comments?

Group loyalty, this is a problem, because of the limit of groups. I always delete the groups that have lots of unnecessary messages or chats, becuase it annoys me. If its quality talk, i dont mind it at all, but general spamming, well I show them the door. I have a friend who does a loyalty program, every month she brings out a free item only the group can come into her store and grab. If you have hippo vendors you can set that groups get a certain percentage, there is probally a script out there that does the same. I have a subscribe o matic and a normal group. I have only a few members on either, so my thoughts are on how to add more people to the group. Im thinking making a freebie of a new item for a limited time before i put it for sale maybe?

My views:-

1. Spend lots of time making lots of very good items, including variations.

2. Buy land and create a largish store. To illustrate what I mean, imagine going into a store that is just a smallish room, and compare your impression of it to your impression of a large store that sells the same things. Imagine going to Awesome Designs, for instance, and compare your impression of it with a smallish room where clothes are sold. Impressions do count - and sell.

3. Do everything you can to get high in the All search and Places tab search.

4. At the same time as #3, do those other things, such as sponsoring events with prizes, etc.

i like the idea of reading the mag on the web, means they can read it anywhere. I dont usually read mags though, just on rare occasions or if i know someone featured, or they have an article i have heard about. A few mags do both sl and on the web too, maybe look into those.

Ok a few points...

First...I dont pay for any advertising except two low price ads in classifieds...actually i think i cut it down to one. I have not found in all the types of paid advertising that i have tried that anything is effective and ive tried quite a few. However, the slex stuff does sound interesting to me. The one thing that DID help me build my biz was having 9 satellite stores as i was developing my main store. i did not make money from any of them, but i gained group members and exposure.

People do make money in their first year...ive done it and i know several others who have as well. And im talking substantial profit, not a few lindens.

I think i might start a thread asking people to vote on if they read the in world magazines and if they pay attention to the ads. Seems like most who have answered here do not.

My group members are consistent and loyal but i also give them my own creations as gifts about once a week and treat them very well if i see them in the store. I dont think they would stay in the group for a once a month gift or anything less.

I would like to see folks here in this thread curtail the use of inflammtory words...liar, cheat, etc. They have no place in a thread like this and just incite a riot...I always support offering a constructive set of criticism or a differing view, but i dont always support the tone with which it is conveyed...so lets all play nice now! LOL

Surreal- one of our members here has a neato script thingie that gives refunds to Group Members- I am going to contact her and see if she will sell me a copy and if she wd like to sell to any one else interested- I had forgotten about that- thanks!As for how to add- I keep a visitor listing script running in my main store. I keep track of who I invite on an Excel sheet so I won't bug anyone by inviting them twice - I also plan on making a habit of getting group only gifts and such. Another thing that seems to be fun among the group is little impromptu fashion shows- inspired by this thread and who used the term "Trunk Show" Sorry I don't recall right now if that was Jojo or who exactly. Anyway I call out at times in group chat and say hey I am down here - got a sudden freebie- or hey I am modeling blah blah- and peeps come and sometimes nothing happens other than a little chat and other time there are sales

Jojo- see my poll thread about mags- not many seem terribly interested from what I have seen.

good idea, i had forgotton about the trunk show idea, i remember it mentioned awhile back. I iwll have to look into that.

I agree. I am currently acting as mentor to a RL friend of mine who has been in SL for 6 months and he is already earning L$200k per month profit after expenses on a mainland region. He has not invested a single penny of RL money into SL. It is possible for new residents to be successful but it takes skill, insight, dedication and commitment.

I just wanted to chime in on making money. I was makingmoney within the first few weeks of openng. Icontnue to make money to this day. My expenses are lower than most people here, but I still make decent sales every day which is really nice


I think i get lucky to be honest. I dont put the work into my store that many of you do and right now I dont have the time. In world I run a sucessful club too and that takes up much of my time and out of world I am down to the business end of my third year of uni so my time is taken up doing assignments

That's excellent! The days are not in the past - it can still be done.

Based on my own lack of interest in in-world magazines, the poll, and the responses of people in this thread, I personally will not be advertising in a magazine anytime soon. Anything, of course is subject to change.