Virtual World Media and PR

INTRODUCTION

In the virtual world, there have been different forms of media developed by resourceful and entrepreneurial groups of people. They each provide business owners in the virtual world different opportunities to reach the eyes and ears of the virtual marketplace.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

SL PUBLICATIONS

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Special Guest Carter Giacobini of Venture Magazine

Topic: How Virtual Magazines Work (An Introduction) and why this is good for Virtual World Business.

Inworld magazines and periodicals work in one of three ways:

1) They create a prim "magazine" that is used as either a hud to read or rezzable and the reader cams in close to the magazine to read it.

2) A publication uses a website or blog out of world on the Internet and simply advertises it inworld.

3) A combo of the above. Meaning, they print the magazine inworld and have a copy on the web for people to use. This is probably the best way to get maximum exposure and a more loyal readership.

There are many positives to advertising with inworld publications. Since advertising your virtual world business in the real world is just beginning, most residents count on blogs or inworld news publications to find out where they can find designers, prefab makers, great places to visit, etc. And, since most publications are fairly inexpensive to advertise in (compared to any real world publication) it's easy to be able to place ads in several magazines.

First, find publications that you feel would best represent you. For instance, asking Runway Magazine or Venture Magazine to run an ad about your Gorean sim would be a waste of money. However, running an ad in Runway about your new fashion mall would be right on target. You also want to be careful that the publications you advertise in represent the style and quality that you want your business to reflect. Rarely will you find Tiffany's advertising in the Enquirer, even though I'm sure some of the readers of the Enquirer can afford to buy from there.

After finding the right publications, contact the people listed in the publication who would be able to give you advertising rates and info. You'll need to find out the ad specs from each magazine, as many have restrictions and different sized pages. For instance, PrimPerfect Magazine requires that each ad be done in photoshop in order to ensure that they have a polished look and feel. My magazine requires that each ad be 512x512 in size, whereas many others have different size restrictions. Also, some magazines require that you email your ad to someone while others ask that you pass them the ad inworld.

You can also ask to be placed closer to the front of the mag, as well. This will generally cost more money, but you'll be seen by more people. Make sure that you request this right away and close to the beginning of the month or the publication cycle, as these spots get quickly taken.

Lastly, you'll want to keep track of where you put your ads in and get a copy of the publication to make sure that the ads are in there - just like in the real world :-) If your ad is forgotten, most of the time it's simply an oversight and you're entitled to your money back, or a free ad the following month. This has never happened when I've placed ads, but I've heard of it happening.

All in all, advertising inworld is VERY easy! And, just like with most other business dealings in the virtual world, it's the personal contact that may get you a spot closer to front, so try to develop a relationship with your publications!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Special Guest Natalie Niven of SLInWorldToday

Topic: How Virtual Publications reach the virtual marketplace, including its own marketing strategies to reach more people.

When I first started in the sl media business I learned a lot of things really quickly. One was to be open and honest and the other was to thicken my skin. My newspaper has that "REAL" THING going on with it
I decided that since there was so many sl celebrities, I was gonna be the one to give them that full sl celebrity experince just like a real life newspaper.

Marketing such a paper isnt a problem as I only do fun stuff that people wanna read and its not done from newspaper boxes in the virtual world either.

My studies have shown its done by either passing links in sl while gossiping or at real life work on monday morning...

In fact, advertising has never been a big thing for me, I am in this business for the fun any money made from my site pays for other adverts for the paper.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Special Guest Valerie Rosewood of Lipstick Publishing

Topic: Challenges in publishing a SL Magazine

Here in the Virtual World, one of the most important things is knowing your target audience or demographic. You attract readers to your magazine, or media by providing content that appeals to them. You have to know what they like and don't like, what is "old news," boring or of great interest. Ongoing research is important. Things often change, rules change, and in some cases, activities are outlawed and removed. Stay on top of what is important to your reader, and what is happening with the virtual Gods, so to speak.

You can make a publication, a magazine, newspaper, video, podcast about anything here in the virtual world. That's one of the magical things about the virtual world! Chances are that there will be others out there who are interested in the idea of the type of media and topic that you want to do. But if you do your homework and know your audience, you can stay ahead of the game. Giving the reader what they want is also important to success, but do use common sense.

There are alot of challenges in providing content. One, is you need to acquire that content! Either you yourself have to go out and get it, or hire a writer or reporter to do it for you. The information has to be accurate and true (unless you run a tabloid, then just make it interesting, LOL). Another thing to consider, is it relevant to the theme of your media? There is no use making a report about combat in the virtual world when you publish a Christian magazine for example. Finally, is the information current? Has it been around for a few months or years? If it's not timely news, people may not be interested in reading it, and have a negative opinion about your media.

One of our challenges has been getting people to talk to us about news. Some people "in the know" are reluctant to share any information until it's publically announced. Some people are so busy that they never get the information to you in time for your deadlines. The best way we at Lipstick Publishing found is just keeping in touch with sources of information, and keeping a good rapport with them, so they feel more inclined to share any information with us. Might not be now, or next month that something really good will come in, but over time, something might that will put you on top, or ahead of anyone else in the virtual world in covering this information. Make friends all over in beneficial areas and before you know it, you'll have interesting content to keep you in stories all the time. :)

We keep our eyes out on the SL blog for anything interesting, and we employ many writers to go out and meet with people to get their views on things for our magazines. Our magazines cover some unique fields so there's usually alot of good news and content to use for our magazines. Basically to over come any problems, we simply put ourselves into the shoes of our readers and ask ourselves "would WE be interested in reading about this? Why? Does it impact me?" To alot of our readers, it's about them, and what they're interested in. We go out and ask them, what do you want to see in our magazines? What would interest you? Sometimes readers come up with ideas we never thought of and it's worked for us. We listen to our readers alot and make changes for the better. Readership has gone up, and they're happy and return to get next month's issues. This pleases our advertisers and they renew their ads, or we attract more advertisers to our line of magazines. :)

Lipstick Publishing creates 10 monthly magazines, every month, and has been in Second Life for over a year (starting in January 2007). The company tailors to many unique areas of the virtual world including: Lesbians, Escorts/Nightlife, Weddings, Weapons & Security, Women's Shoes, Women's Lingerie, BDSM Doms and Submissives, and a new men's magazine.

For the conference here today, and to the Vio Business Group, Lipstick Publishing is willing to offer 1/2 price for advertising in any of its magazines, good to the end of this year. Lipstick Publishing has the best rates for advertising in the virtual world for an in-world publication. Message Valerie Rosewood if you would be interested in finding out more information about our line of magazines, and how you can advertise with Lipstick Publishing.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

SL STREAMING MEDIA

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Special Guests SmoothHcw Carter , Justice Rolls and Spinner Voom of WJAM Radio Network

Topic: How advertising or sponsorship works with streaming media outlets in SL.

Small startup companies as well as Global 1000 giants are recognizing that virtual environments can help improve the bottom line, by reducing costs and increasing revenues by extending reach to customers. The signs are clear: Virtual BUSINESS @ Work is becoming standard business practice, and is a great way for any company to easily take advantage of these emerging opportunities." WJAM will discuss how internet radio streaming plays a vital role in advertising and or sponsorship for the virtual business owner .

Let's take a look at some facets as it pertains to virtual business owners and the promotion of their businesses.

1. Virtual world streaming provides an opensource for vitrual businesses to reach global virtual businesses markets across the world.

2. Virtual world streaming also allows virtual business owners the privy to reach real life business that has tapped into virtual globe market by advertising there businesses via streaming by interactive stations like WJAM RADIO.

3. Virtual world audio streaming for virtual businesses allocates a source for reaching the average consumer on secondlife by featuring products and/or goods and services advertised via online streaming.

4. Advertising , whether audio or visual gives the business owner a platform for increase sales of a products produced by the company or individual.

5. Sponsorship as it pertains to virtual world media outlets/businesses provides an opportunity for growth and futher development of the company by enlisting sponsors that will generate and or provide revenues that will increase sales .

In conclusion, utilizing effectively the SL media streaming options will promise growth and increased revenue potential for your business.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY

When agreeing to advertise or sponsor a virtual media outlet, get all of the details up front and get an agreement in writing. That can be a real world agreement that is received by fax or mail. Or it can be as simple (but not as binding) as a Notecard. If you experience any disputes, you should use proven dispute resolution providers in the virtual world, such as OliveEue Sholokhov.

Visit our new blog for Vio Business Seminars: http://successfulvirtualbusiness.blogspot.com

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

BACKGROUND

About The Speaker: Xander Newman has owned Virtual Innovative Opportunities (VIO) since April 2007, a virtual business community and incubator in Second Life. His expertise is bringing together businesses and resources in SL and RL. In the real world, Xander Newman has been an expert with Internet technologies since 1995, owning his own Internet development and SEO company. He also has a Bachelor's degree in Advertising from the University of Texas. Xander is trained in creating organizations and team-building, and by combining all of his skill set, he has been able to:

1) Co-found a publically-trading Internet auction company
2) Create two non-profit organizations, including the largest volunteer organization serving the needs of Hurricane Katrina survivors.
3) Create a documentary film
4) Become an advocate for the indigenous (tribal) people of the world, speaking in front of world leaders at the United Nations in May 2004.
5) Co-founded a business consortium bringing companies to China for joint venture projects.

In his view, the secret to his successes in life come from making his goals about the benefit of others, and surrounding himself with a variety of talent and expertise.

------------------------

For more information on this topic, feel free to contact Xander Newman or any of the Vio Team.

Xander Newman
Alexi Mizin
Kalvin jefferson
Slatestone McCall

©Copyright 2008 Virtual Innovative Opportunities. All rights reserved.