'Those more talented than I' being people who actually know how to make good clothes and items for Second Life and can get it together to run a shop.
A few things that I think are really, really important for running a Second Life shop WELL:
1. Unless it is so small that one can stand in the doorway, turn on the spot and see everything for sale, make it absolutely piss-easy to navigate in your shop. Have a map at the front door with YOU ARE HERE and everything clearly labelled, and make sure you keep the shop organised that way (if you reorganise, update the map). Classify items very clearly by type. If your store is really big, like Simone or Bare Rose or something, have teleport points around the store where your visitors can click a button or signboard to be taken directly to different departments. Simone does this (or did the last time I was there) and Bare Rose doesn't, and it's hard to think of a shop that needs it more than Bare Rose. B@R rocks my socks, but only if I'm randomly browsing; if I'm actually looking for something in particular, even something which I KNOW they stock, it is far too frustrating.
2. Offer a freebie or two, and make them good - as good as the stuff you are charging for. I know you may feel reluctant to give something really good away for nothing, but it generates a lot of goodwill and encourages repeat visits, if my own behaviour is anything to go by.
3. Offer items in a range of prices, so you can attract people of varying budgets. People who can only spend L10 at the moment will remember how much they liked your shop when they have L1000 to spend.
4. If you make clothing, try to create separates that mix and match well, and show them worn as such on your vendor boards and in the general decor of your shop - if they look good as an outfit on your models, people will be encouraged to buy more than one thing.
5. If your vendor pictures show models wearing outfits including pieces from other creators, it's a nice touch to include a notecard detailing where the rest of the stuff came from. Perhaps other creators will do the same for you. Consider making a deal with someone whose style complements yours.
And... and that would be really nice.
On an unrelated note, in the last scene of Run Fatboy Run Simon Pegg wears a turquoise jumper and it makes him look like Tintin.
If it were possible for Tintin to age into his thirties.
Which it isn't.
Simon Pegg looks like him.
A few things that I think are really, really important for running a Second Life shop WELL:
1. Unless it is so small that one can stand in the doorway, turn on the spot and see everything for sale, make it absolutely piss-easy to navigate in your shop. Have a map at the front door with YOU ARE HERE and everything clearly labelled, and make sure you keep the shop organised that way (if you reorganise, update the map). Classify items very clearly by type. If your store is really big, like Simone or Bare Rose or something, have teleport points around the store where your visitors can click a button or signboard to be taken directly to different departments. Simone does this (or did the last time I was there) and Bare Rose doesn't, and it's hard to think of a shop that needs it more than Bare Rose. B@R rocks my socks, but only if I'm randomly browsing; if I'm actually looking for something in particular, even something which I KNOW they stock, it is far too frustrating.
2. Offer a freebie or two, and make them good - as good as the stuff you are charging for. I know you may feel reluctant to give something really good away for nothing, but it generates a lot of goodwill and encourages repeat visits, if my own behaviour is anything to go by.
3. Offer items in a range of prices, so you can attract people of varying budgets. People who can only spend L10 at the moment will remember how much they liked your shop when they have L1000 to spend.
4. If you make clothing, try to create separates that mix and match well, and show them worn as such on your vendor boards and in the general decor of your shop - if they look good as an outfit on your models, people will be encouraged to buy more than one thing.
5. If your vendor pictures show models wearing outfits including pieces from other creators, it's a nice touch to include a notecard detailing where the rest of the stuff came from. Perhaps other creators will do the same for you. Consider making a deal with someone whose style complements yours.
And... and that would be really nice.
On an unrelated note, in the last scene of Run Fatboy Run Simon Pegg wears a turquoise jumper and it makes him look like Tintin.
If it were possible for Tintin to age into his thirties.
Which it isn't.
Simon Pegg looks like him.
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