Success in Virtual Real Estate
Vio Business Series #8
INTRODUCTION
Many people come to the virtual world prospecting for opportunities to generate real income. One of the most popular ways to do so is to develop virtual space (real estate). There is a lot of money to be made, especially in being able to duplicate a successful business model and real estate development plan, but there is also a lot of financial commitment and risk involved.
Vio Business believes in learning from the successes and mistakes of others, in order to improve your own chances for success. We are proud to provide its members with the opportunity to learn from one of the most prolific and successful real estate developers in Second Life, Giancarlo Takacs of Costa Rica Sims. He has built success around an attractive niche and has duplicated his success, owning more than 50 sims.
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Being Successful in the Virtual Real Estate Business
by Giancarlo Takacs
Have a plan! Successful business ventures are created by having a strategy, and not out of pure luck. In building this strategy, you will need information. What better way to gain answers to your questions than by talking to the owners and managers of established Estates? Build relationships with successful people and always be up front regarding why you are asking questions.
Today, it takes no more than two minutes for a sim to be delivered, so don’t rush or expand too fast as this can be detrimental to your goal. Remember, that while friends are supportive, they might not have the skills you need to be successful. Surround yourself with the best people you can find, those that will help you achieve your goal. In return, do not ever become greedy. And finally, do not expect that you are going to be making a real life income from Second Life overnight.
Giancarlo Takacs was created by the people behind Crest Custom Travel, a travel agency based in San Jose, Costa Rica. This creation was to explore the possibility of providing exposure to the company within a virtual world while offering the ability to book tours and excursions to Costa Rica utilizing the Second Life platform. At this time, the avatar named Giancarlo Takacs is used exclusively by the CEO of Crest Custom Travel.
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SUMMARY
When dealing with virtual real estate (virtual space), you are dealing with server space on the Internet, but in a form where many aspects of real estate apply. Shop around for good deals. Sometime, especially when traffic count is important, location may be more important than price. Make sure all terms and conditions are clear and understood before you make a financial commitment.
©Copyright 2008 Virtual Innovative Opportunities. All rights reserved.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Machinima
Machinima: Visual Animation from the Virtual World
Vio Business Series #7
INTRODUCTION
Machinima became an established media, when video game developers used its computer-generated animation technology to produce media productions. Originally, such animations were developed to visually illustrate storylines within a video game. But over time, people explored using this technology to develop digital productions for entertainment purposes. As digital animation technology improved, the appeal of this format has dramatically increased.
The virtual world platforms, including Second Life, provide developers, an easy-to-use interface and 3-D space to capture in-world footage in digital video format. This format can be brought into video editor programs, edited with other video and sounds, to produce rich content.
Vio Business is proud to provide its members with the opportunity to hear more about what is out there, specifically from machinima expert AWM Mars.
--------------------------
Machinima: A Resource for Business
by AWM Mars
If a picture can speak a thousand words, how many pictures are there in a movie media?
When we read a book, our imagination is allowed to interpret the scenes described by the Author. When we listen to a song, we relate that to our own experiences or feelings. When looking at Art or Photography, we again interpret our own impressions. With movies, we can immerse the viewer with all those tools.
The same 'tools' are used to give the viewer a message, deliver a ethos, a brand recognition, even a style of business, whether it is dynamic, calm, professional, sincere, robust, has a history, dependable etc.
Using Machinima, you can deliver those messages in a very short time to the viewer.
You can also use Machinima to record events, whether stages of progress that can be used to show trends, or historic landmarks. This can be useful for bespoke property builders, giving their clients their progress, or even as a history of the build.
Education, a powerful tool that leads to future business. Delivering information at a controlled rate is important. Doing so in the most efficient way is paramount. Delivering multiple forms of educational media in a singular form, is perhaps the most powerful attribute of movie media, when we combine the strengths of each of the media's (sound, text and pictures).
Machinima, which is the term used for 'non-real life staged productions'. Is perhaps the cheapest form of movie media creation available. Not just in terms of the Dollar Cost, but of that to the planet (Carbon Footprint).
Actors, set builders, graphics, storyboard, voice-over narrations, producers, camera, lighting are all available within the Virtual Reality Platform. However we have no need to bring them all together into one or more Real Life places, to utilise their skills and talents. Many can double up with multiple skill sets.
Real Life inhibitors no longer exist. Those unable to travel, for whatever reason, can now apply their talents from their own environment, without the need for special provisions. Talents and skills, that previously could not be accommodated, can now be realised. This also includes how clients, business, education were able to reach out into the 4 corners of the globe, and find the right resources, at the right costs.
Machinima is available and delivered direct to the source, via the internet, off transportable media such as DVD, even solid state memory cards. It can be created in cross platform formats and resolutions.
Formats that include present technology, iPod, Blackberry, Television, Cinema, Websites etc. It can also be 're-developed' to suit future formats with ease.
It has the ability to be created for various languages, by simply changing the layers of text and voice-overs for variations. Both of those 'layered' media's are used sparingly, and to support the foundation media of moving pictures, which remains unaltered. The Net result is cheaper cost.
My own history within the Virtual Reality Environments go back before the days of internet versions (over 10 years). I was developing VR buildings and structures for clients and developers. Creating replicas of those building from the 2D drawings, including services such as radiators, lighting, textures on all facets (floors, ceilings, walls and furniture).
Using 'avatars' based on each users height, I could produce 'walk through' movies, as each person would 'view' the building from a different perspective. Combined with the ability to show the building in its exact location in the world (latitude, longitude), then running a 'year cycle' within the programme, would show how outside/ambient lighting, reacts with all the various surfaces within each room.
Computer screens in offices showing if sunlight would reflect, reducing contrast and usability. Common spaces such as corridors, how they perform with multiple people using them, or whether they require either additional lighting by electrical means, or by introducing ambient light through 'borrowed light' sources. Making changes to the design, no matter how small, based upon the results of this development, saved a lot of time and money for the project.
I pursued various platforms that would make the process, not just easier to create but could involve actual people participating. Adobe Atmosphere was the pioneer of the Virtual Reality platforms. Second Life in the next generation. Its potential has opened up a completely new way in which commerce can thrive. Our goals have been to utilise machinima as way of serving those thriving communities and business layers developing within the environment.
Nearly 3 years ago, when I started up our first company (WBA-Advertising) our motto was, and still is, 3D advertising for a 3D world. Secondlifes business community was thriving and developing at a fast pace, yet movies were seen in the light of hobbyist and entertainment. Usually in the form of Real Life movies being streamed into 'private' skypods.
We created the first raft of advertising for designers of clothing ranges. Now buyers could see whole outfits coming alive in full reality. We didn't stop there, we looked across the range of businesses developing, and created many forms of delivering those products to viewers.
We founded other companies within our group, that could utilise the many talents of people around the globe, developing many forms of advertising, to suit the needs of the fast growing community. Our business plans focused on the SL businesses, giving them opportunities to have professional media advertising, that could be transportable into Real Life, but within the micro economies of value.
Other business plans created for our other companies, would suit Real Life companies, infacing into SL to gain exposure, but still able to use that same media for their 'normal' forms of advertising. Still within the Real Life economies, and enormously cheaper in Dollar and Carbon Footprint costs to Real Life counterparts.
We have not only been expanding our capabilities and techniques within SL, but reaching out across the other growing platforms. This has also taken the form of developments in how media can be delivered. Our hardware gives us the in-house facility to deliver our media anywhere in the world, where there is a internet connection or postal service.
We have been instrumental in developing technical systems, that not only break the 'one movie per parcel' limitation to multiple movies, delivered across secure networks, but that can be transported across multiple platforms. Business can now reach multiple platforms from one source of delivery. Whether through static screens, or platform wide wearable media system, that not only allows for 'in platform' media, but links to other platforms, RSS feeds, iPodcasts, websites, collaboration tools. Winning awards for technical innovation.
We have created companies that not only have given us greater scope, but incorporate many different techniques and skill sets, from its members. We have many 'pools' of talent working in different fields, but under the umbrella of our group. Cross Investments in those companies for creation of avatar control systems, that not only get used in those particular business spearheads (fashion) but are available for our movie media for advertising and commercial creation.
Our portfolio of work can be viewed at http://www.wba-advertising.com and http://www.nex-core-mm.com The technical advancements for media delivery can be seen at http://www.eml-entertainments.com/silverstreamtechnology.html
--------------------------
SUMMARY
When your ready to have a machinima production, interview several machima producers and choose the one you feel is the best fit for your needs. When agreeing to a contract or agreement with a virtual world machinima producer, get all of the details up front and get the agreement in writing. That should be a real world agreement.
©Copyright 2008 Virtual Innovative Opportunities. All rights reserved.
Vio Business Series #7
INTRODUCTION
Machinima became an established media, when video game developers used its computer-generated animation technology to produce media productions. Originally, such animations were developed to visually illustrate storylines within a video game. But over time, people explored using this technology to develop digital productions for entertainment purposes. As digital animation technology improved, the appeal of this format has dramatically increased.
The virtual world platforms, including Second Life, provide developers, an easy-to-use interface and 3-D space to capture in-world footage in digital video format. This format can be brought into video editor programs, edited with other video and sounds, to produce rich content.
Vio Business is proud to provide its members with the opportunity to hear more about what is out there, specifically from machinima expert AWM Mars.
--------------------------
Machinima: A Resource for Business
by AWM Mars
If a picture can speak a thousand words, how many pictures are there in a movie media?
When we read a book, our imagination is allowed to interpret the scenes described by the Author. When we listen to a song, we relate that to our own experiences or feelings. When looking at Art or Photography, we again interpret our own impressions. With movies, we can immerse the viewer with all those tools.
The same 'tools' are used to give the viewer a message, deliver a ethos, a brand recognition, even a style of business, whether it is dynamic, calm, professional, sincere, robust, has a history, dependable etc.
Using Machinima, you can deliver those messages in a very short time to the viewer.
You can also use Machinima to record events, whether stages of progress that can be used to show trends, or historic landmarks. This can be useful for bespoke property builders, giving their clients their progress, or even as a history of the build.
Education, a powerful tool that leads to future business. Delivering information at a controlled rate is important. Doing so in the most efficient way is paramount. Delivering multiple forms of educational media in a singular form, is perhaps the most powerful attribute of movie media, when we combine the strengths of each of the media's (sound, text and pictures).
Machinima, which is the term used for 'non-real life staged productions'. Is perhaps the cheapest form of movie media creation available. Not just in terms of the Dollar Cost, but of that to the planet (Carbon Footprint).
Actors, set builders, graphics, storyboard, voice-over narrations, producers, camera, lighting are all available within the Virtual Reality Platform. However we have no need to bring them all together into one or more Real Life places, to utilise their skills and talents. Many can double up with multiple skill sets.
Real Life inhibitors no longer exist. Those unable to travel, for whatever reason, can now apply their talents from their own environment, without the need for special provisions. Talents and skills, that previously could not be accommodated, can now be realised. This also includes how clients, business, education were able to reach out into the 4 corners of the globe, and find the right resources, at the right costs.
Machinima is available and delivered direct to the source, via the internet, off transportable media such as DVD, even solid state memory cards. It can be created in cross platform formats and resolutions.
Formats that include present technology, iPod, Blackberry, Television, Cinema, Websites etc. It can also be 're-developed' to suit future formats with ease.
It has the ability to be created for various languages, by simply changing the layers of text and voice-overs for variations. Both of those 'layered' media's are used sparingly, and to support the foundation media of moving pictures, which remains unaltered. The Net result is cheaper cost.
My own history within the Virtual Reality Environments go back before the days of internet versions (over 10 years). I was developing VR buildings and structures for clients and developers. Creating replicas of those building from the 2D drawings, including services such as radiators, lighting, textures on all facets (floors, ceilings, walls and furniture).
Using 'avatars' based on each users height, I could produce 'walk through' movies, as each person would 'view' the building from a different perspective. Combined with the ability to show the building in its exact location in the world (latitude, longitude), then running a 'year cycle' within the programme, would show how outside/ambient lighting, reacts with all the various surfaces within each room.
Computer screens in offices showing if sunlight would reflect, reducing contrast and usability. Common spaces such as corridors, how they perform with multiple people using them, or whether they require either additional lighting by electrical means, or by introducing ambient light through 'borrowed light' sources. Making changes to the design, no matter how small, based upon the results of this development, saved a lot of time and money for the project.
I pursued various platforms that would make the process, not just easier to create but could involve actual people participating. Adobe Atmosphere was the pioneer of the Virtual Reality platforms. Second Life in the next generation. Its potential has opened up a completely new way in which commerce can thrive. Our goals have been to utilise machinima as way of serving those thriving communities and business layers developing within the environment.
Nearly 3 years ago, when I started up our first company (WBA-Advertising) our motto was, and still is, 3D advertising for a 3D world. Secondlifes business community was thriving and developing at a fast pace, yet movies were seen in the light of hobbyist and entertainment. Usually in the form of Real Life movies being streamed into 'private' skypods.
We created the first raft of advertising for designers of clothing ranges. Now buyers could see whole outfits coming alive in full reality. We didn't stop there, we looked across the range of businesses developing, and created many forms of delivering those products to viewers.
We founded other companies within our group, that could utilise the many talents of people around the globe, developing many forms of advertising, to suit the needs of the fast growing community. Our business plans focused on the SL businesses, giving them opportunities to have professional media advertising, that could be transportable into Real Life, but within the micro economies of value.
Other business plans created for our other companies, would suit Real Life companies, infacing into SL to gain exposure, but still able to use that same media for their 'normal' forms of advertising. Still within the Real Life economies, and enormously cheaper in Dollar and Carbon Footprint costs to Real Life counterparts.
We have not only been expanding our capabilities and techniques within SL, but reaching out across the other growing platforms. This has also taken the form of developments in how media can be delivered. Our hardware gives us the in-house facility to deliver our media anywhere in the world, where there is a internet connection or postal service.
We have been instrumental in developing technical systems, that not only break the 'one movie per parcel' limitation to multiple movies, delivered across secure networks, but that can be transported across multiple platforms. Business can now reach multiple platforms from one source of delivery. Whether through static screens, or platform wide wearable media system, that not only allows for 'in platform' media, but links to other platforms, RSS feeds, iPodcasts, websites, collaboration tools. Winning awards for technical innovation.
We have created companies that not only have given us greater scope, but incorporate many different techniques and skill sets, from its members. We have many 'pools' of talent working in different fields, but under the umbrella of our group. Cross Investments in those companies for creation of avatar control systems, that not only get used in those particular business spearheads (fashion) but are available for our movie media for advertising and commercial creation.
Our portfolio of work can be viewed at http://www.wba-advertising.com and http://www.nex-core-mm.com The technical advancements for media delivery can be seen at http://www.eml-entertainments.com/silverstreamtechnology.html
--------------------------
SUMMARY
When your ready to have a machinima production, interview several machima producers and choose the one you feel is the best fit for your needs. When agreeing to a contract or agreement with a virtual world machinima producer, get all of the details up front and get the agreement in writing. That should be a real world agreement.
©Copyright 2008 Virtual Innovative Opportunities. All rights reserved.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Virtual Worlds
INTRODUCTION
When it comes to Virtual Worlds, Second Life isn't the only game in town. There are other companies that have gotten into the game, including corporate giant Google. Google has developed Lively, which recently made a splash in the media. Other virtual worlds or grids, include Open Life (http://www.openlifegrid.com), Central Grid (http://www.centralgrid.com), and VirtualLife Grid. In China, a very popular, Mandarin-language-based virtual world is HiPiHi (http://www.Hipihi.com).
Vio Business is proud to provide its members with the opportunity to hear more about what is out there, specifically from three panelists.
Kalvin Jefferson and Bazman Doobie will present VirtualLife Grid. BigTonny Goodfellow will present CentralGrid. Slatestone McCall will present Google's Lively. After the panelists present their information, there will be a Q&A session followed by networking.
--------------------------
VirtualLife Grid
by Bazman Doobie and Kalvin Jefferson
VirtualLife Grid(tm) is based on the OpenSimulator Project witch is a BSD Licensed Virtual Worlds Server which is used for creating and deploying 3D Virtual Environments. It has been developed by several developers. Out of the box, the OpenSimulator can be used to create a Second Life(tm) like environment, able to run in a standalone mode or connected to other OpenSimulator instances through built in grid technology. It can also easily be extended to produce more specialized 3D interactive applications.
QUATRO Industries as built aopn this to create VirtualLife Grid(tm) and is now ready to officaly launch the service in 1 week. We will be send invitations to everyone with in the vio community in a few days to come check out the new wolds we have to offer.
We will also be offering Vio residents a discount on regions .
QUATRO Industries has tiers that are much loower than any competitor because we do not charge for prims. The cost if tiers is based on server rental space.
We have Regions avalable full prim and open space (Low Prim) and also Personal grid rental
Are prim count is also considerable higher than SL(tm) as a full prim region is conprised of 40000 prims and a open space region is comprised of 15000 prims and both can run attached to VirtualLife Gird(tm) or run in stand alone mode attached to nothing.
--------------------------
Central Grid
by BigTonny Goodfellow
Central Grid to Bring Inworld Currency
Central Grid has moved to become the first grid using the OpenSim platform to bring inworld currency to its users. They will be called Cyber Coins with C$ being its active symbol. OpenSim Grids have all been fairly equal until now. There has been no true way to establish an economy. This will now be possible in CG. Currency has been active in a private test grid for some time now to ensure that it functions properly and is secure. There also has been extensive work to create an exchange sytem on the web site for users to be able to purchse, trade to other avatars, and sell Cyber Coins. CG will be selling C$ at the rate of C$200 to $1.00 USD. We will be working this week to add it to Central Grid. CG currently has 2316 user accounts with 2717 avatars and 363 regions. The current monthly tier fee for regions is $75.00 USD. This rate will be changing to $100.00 USD once the Cyber Coins become active. All regions that are currently online or that are activated before the Cyber Coins go live will lock in their monthly tier rate at the $75.00. We have also recently added several more servers to allow for the expected rapid increase of regions. Come join in the excitement as Central Grid pushes beyond the limits of OpenSim.
--------------------------
Google Lively
An evalutation by Slatestone McCall
Real Life Business Owner
Marshwiggle Website Services
http://www.marshwiggle.com/SL543
http://www.OneTreeFrog.com
Yes, folks, Google has entered the social network 3D arena with their beta software, "Lively". I have found it not so lively...quite boring actually when you compare it with Second Life but let's take a look at it anyway. There are a couple of good benefits but I will get to them in a little bit.
First of all it is a quick and easy download. If you already have a Google or Gmail account you can login right away and start creating your avatar, which no matter how you change you just can't personalize it enough. Instead of being realistic like we are used to with Second LIfe, using Lively makes you feel like you are in a cartoon world.
Instead of a SIM type world where land can be connected to another person's land each person has a room instead. Each room is set up like a 3D chat room.
Personally, I would have preferred Google to wait a little longer before revealing their beta version. I found it to be quite cumbersome and awkward when trying to move your avatar around. The only way to move your avatar is by click on it and dragging to the spot you want it to go. When doing this your avatar gives a walking motion.
There is not much you can do with the avatar yet. You can get some basic simplistic clothing and accessories but again, they were quite basic and cartoonish.
When searching for rooms to visit I was surprised that Google would make it hard to find a room. Oh, you could search by most visitors or the date a room was created but there is something missing. I just can't browse and try to see what is out there by group, type or subject.
From a business stand point Lively is just too new to be worth while. You could use it as a meeting point for instant chat but that is about it. There is no classifieds and I don't think as of yet you can sell anything "inworld". Lively needs to "grow up" and gain some benefits and tools that businesses (real or virtual) could use. Right now Google's Lively is just something to play with and "fiddle around" with.
This leads me to the question, are there any benefits with Lively? The one feature that I believe could be a benefit, especially to a business, is that you can embed your room into a web page. This allows a virtual business to receive an easier exposure through search engines. For visitors to your website having your room embedded helps to make it easy for them to visit your virtual office or world.
Second, with a big company like Google they are bound to start good-healthy competition. This is if they get serious and start adding more robust features to Lively. Good competition between companies is what spurs on new, exciting and creative ideas.
For me, I don't have time to play with Lively. So for now, I am uninstalling it from my system and enjoying the creativity of those on Second Life.
------------------------
SUMMARY
There are different reasons for considering different virtual worlds. There is likely a trade-off between functionality, and price and the size of the marketplace. For some applications, such as architects designing a 3-D concept for a client halfway around the world, a sizeable marketplace is not important. So other grids may provide a boost in performance and cost-savings. You need to spend some time weighing your needs and options when considering what is being offered. Ask people who are members of a virtual world and get their feedback and experiences before making a choice.
When agreeing to a contract or agreement with a virtual world service provider, get all of the details up front and get the agreement in writing. That should be a real world agreement.
When it comes to Virtual Worlds, Second Life isn't the only game in town. There are other companies that have gotten into the game, including corporate giant Google. Google has developed Lively, which recently made a splash in the media. Other virtual worlds or grids, include Open Life (http://www.openlifegrid.com), Central Grid (http://www.centralgrid.com), and VirtualLife Grid. In China, a very popular, Mandarin-language-based virtual world is HiPiHi (http://www.Hipihi.com).
Vio Business is proud to provide its members with the opportunity to hear more about what is out there, specifically from three panelists.
Kalvin Jefferson and Bazman Doobie will present VirtualLife Grid. BigTonny Goodfellow will present CentralGrid. Slatestone McCall will present Google's Lively. After the panelists present their information, there will be a Q&A session followed by networking.
--------------------------
VirtualLife Grid
by Bazman Doobie and Kalvin Jefferson
VirtualLife Grid(tm) is based on the OpenSimulator Project witch is a BSD Licensed Virtual Worlds Server which is used for creating and deploying 3D Virtual Environments. It has been developed by several developers. Out of the box, the OpenSimulator can be used to create a Second Life(tm) like environment, able to run in a standalone mode or connected to other OpenSimulator instances through built in grid technology. It can also easily be extended to produce more specialized 3D interactive applications.
QUATRO Industries as built aopn this to create VirtualLife Grid(tm) and is now ready to officaly launch the service in 1 week. We will be send invitations to everyone with in the vio community in a few days to come check out the new wolds we have to offer.
We will also be offering Vio residents a discount on regions .
QUATRO Industries has tiers that are much loower than any competitor because we do not charge for prims. The cost if tiers is based on server rental space.
We have Regions avalable full prim and open space (Low Prim) and also Personal grid rental
Are prim count is also considerable higher than SL(tm) as a full prim region is conprised of 40000 prims and a open space region is comprised of 15000 prims and both can run attached to VirtualLife Gird(tm) or run in stand alone mode attached to nothing.
--------------------------
Central Grid
by BigTonny Goodfellow
Central Grid to Bring Inworld Currency
Central Grid has moved to become the first grid using the OpenSim platform to bring inworld currency to its users. They will be called Cyber Coins with C$ being its active symbol. OpenSim Grids have all been fairly equal until now. There has been no true way to establish an economy. This will now be possible in CG. Currency has been active in a private test grid for some time now to ensure that it functions properly and is secure. There also has been extensive work to create an exchange sytem on the web site for users to be able to purchse, trade to other avatars, and sell Cyber Coins. CG will be selling C$ at the rate of C$200 to $1.00 USD. We will be working this week to add it to Central Grid. CG currently has 2316 user accounts with 2717 avatars and 363 regions. The current monthly tier fee for regions is $75.00 USD. This rate will be changing to $100.00 USD once the Cyber Coins become active. All regions that are currently online or that are activated before the Cyber Coins go live will lock in their monthly tier rate at the $75.00. We have also recently added several more servers to allow for the expected rapid increase of regions. Come join in the excitement as Central Grid pushes beyond the limits of OpenSim.
--------------------------
Google Lively
An evalutation by Slatestone McCall
Real Life Business Owner
Marshwiggle Website Services
http://www.marshwiggle.com/SL543
http://www.OneTreeFrog.com
Yes, folks, Google has entered the social network 3D arena with their beta software, "Lively". I have found it not so lively...quite boring actually when you compare it with Second Life but let's take a look at it anyway. There are a couple of good benefits but I will get to them in a little bit.
First of all it is a quick and easy download. If you already have a Google or Gmail account you can login right away and start creating your avatar, which no matter how you change you just can't personalize it enough. Instead of being realistic like we are used to with Second LIfe, using Lively makes you feel like you are in a cartoon world.
Instead of a SIM type world where land can be connected to another person's land each person has a room instead. Each room is set up like a 3D chat room.
Personally, I would have preferred Google to wait a little longer before revealing their beta version. I found it to be quite cumbersome and awkward when trying to move your avatar around. The only way to move your avatar is by click on it and dragging to the spot you want it to go. When doing this your avatar gives a walking motion.
There is not much you can do with the avatar yet. You can get some basic simplistic clothing and accessories but again, they were quite basic and cartoonish.
When searching for rooms to visit I was surprised that Google would make it hard to find a room. Oh, you could search by most visitors or the date a room was created but there is something missing. I just can't browse and try to see what is out there by group, type or subject.
From a business stand point Lively is just too new to be worth while. You could use it as a meeting point for instant chat but that is about it. There is no classifieds and I don't think as of yet you can sell anything "inworld". Lively needs to "grow up" and gain some benefits and tools that businesses (real or virtual) could use. Right now Google's Lively is just something to play with and "fiddle around" with.
This leads me to the question, are there any benefits with Lively? The one feature that I believe could be a benefit, especially to a business, is that you can embed your room into a web page. This allows a virtual business to receive an easier exposure through search engines. For visitors to your website having your room embedded helps to make it easy for them to visit your virtual office or world.
Second, with a big company like Google they are bound to start good-healthy competition. This is if they get serious and start adding more robust features to Lively. Good competition between companies is what spurs on new, exciting and creative ideas.
For me, I don't have time to play with Lively. So for now, I am uninstalling it from my system and enjoying the creativity of those on Second Life.
------------------------
SUMMARY
There are different reasons for considering different virtual worlds. There is likely a trade-off between functionality, and price and the size of the marketplace. For some applications, such as architects designing a 3-D concept for a client halfway around the world, a sizeable marketplace is not important. So other grids may provide a boost in performance and cost-savings. You need to spend some time weighing your needs and options when considering what is being offered. Ask people who are members of a virtual world and get their feedback and experiences before making a choice.
When agreeing to a contract or agreement with a virtual world service provider, get all of the details up front and get the agreement in writing. That should be a real world agreement.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Your Image and Branding in the Virtual World
INTRODUCTION
Business in Second Life (SL) is much the same as it is in “real life” (RL) first impressions matter!
In RL you have a brief window to make a first impression and in our virtual world you can bet that it is even smaller and your image is key to making the most favorable impression. But while introductions and impressions happen in a split second, creating a lasting, favorable perception requires a continuous concentrated effort across many platforms.
That effort is called branding and it is through branding and image that individuals, communities and organizations express their individuality.
I’d like to first define the words and put them into the context we'll be talking about today.
For our purposes, Image covers the appearance and mannerisms of your avitar, the environment that houses your business, and the furnishings and items associated with them
A brand is a promise or idea and a set of expectations held by an audience about a product, service or company. A brand is not what You say it is ... it is what your audience says it is.
-----------------------
IMAGE
The appearance and mannerisms of your avitar, the environment that houses your business, and the furnishings and items associated with them
Your avitar (or avi) is literally your face in SL. It can be complex or simple, representing all the parts of who you are and who you want to be. (Some choose to express facets of themselves thru a second (or third or fourth... ) avitar, called an alt).
You might choose to have an avitar that looks just like you in RL, or you might choose an ideal you’ve always wanted to be, or you might choose one that is more apt to draw in the type of people you’re trying to reach.
Whatever you do, Present a professional image. Get expert help – what you want may not exist off the shelf, but affordable custom work is rapant in SL. And image makeover professionals can help you devise and implement a new concept.
Since avitars are really just a sum of their parts, it’s important to remember the many aspects that need to be properly addressed.
Avitars consist basically of a shape (think bones and muscles or what’s inside the skin), skin (colorings, photo-realistic body parts, etc.) and other items such as eyes, hair, clothes, shoes, accessories, animation override (AO or AO HUD), and other add-ons that make your avitar unique and memorable.
Here are some simple things that will help you get started ... try sitting down and identifying the following things in a very specific way:
1) What type of product or service do I have?
2) What is my main purpose (business/fun/exploring/etc.)?
3) What type of audience am I expecting to attract?
4) What types of presentations or meetings will I attend?
5) What activities will I be interested in exploring?
6) What are my RL hobbies or ones I would like to take up in SL?
7) Where do you live in RL and how does that impact your persona? OR what city do you WISH you lived in and what does that convey?
ENVIRONMENT:
As with your avitar, your office, home, skybox, platform, SIM, venue, or any other area you plan to have customers see is important in the same way.
The items themselves, the quality, the presentation, how “appropriate” they are for your audience will all add to your success (or failure) in the virtual world. Do you want your SL office to be a copy of your RL one or do you want to create a magical world that shows what “can” be?
Personal shoppers and inventory management become very helpful for those starting out or those who wish to upgrade or change their environments.
As SL becomes more sophisticated, so do the ‘objects” don’t forget to keep up with the times. ... AND REMEMBER ... the audience in SL makes a decision to stay or go in a split second. That first impression ... your TP in point, what they see, where they face ... all of it can make or break your venture.
BRANDING:
A brand is a promise or idea and a set of expectations held by an audience about a product, service or company. A brand is not what You say it is ... it is what your audience says it is.
First, every company creates a brand for itself, good or bad. Your reputation is your brand. Every time you have contact with a customer you leave an impression, you add to your reputation, and you create your own brand. But do you have a branding strategy?
Branding strategy is ultimately about fulfilling promises. It is about trust, quality, service, and reliability. It’s a relationship between your customers and your company. And it’s within your reach, if you can manage your customer contact points.
In a virtual world some of the same practices will apply … others will be different. Some things to consider are:
1) Spend the money to have a designer create a professional logo, business-note card and a space ad for your SL business.
2) Manage your brand. Continually look for opportunities to make improvements. As the virtual world becomes more sophisticated, so does your audience. What attracts them today will not hold their attention tomorrow.
3) Promote Testimonials and find ways to encourage word of mouth viral marketing. Start building credibility for your business from day one.
4) Build Buzz. Be creative. Look for a special promotions and tie-ins with SIMs or other businesses. Do something out of the norm for your business to get people talking about you, your product or service.
SUMMARY & TIPS
Creating a solid, strong physical impression gives you credibility. The fastest way to be “written off” is to communicate your “newbie” status. If you are new to SL there will be multitudes of nuances that escape you, but those with experience in SL can spot the “noobies” or “newbies” in a crowd and will go out of their way to avoid them
Every point of contact that your customer subsequently has with your company is an important part of your branding strategy. Your avitar, office and/or home are vital as well as your plan for getting yourself and your business known and paid attention to and supported and that process is continual. In the virtual world you cannot rest on your laurels!
Lastly I’d like to say a few words about working with professionals in SL. When agreeing to the services of a image and/or branding expert, 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.
PRESENTORS BACKGROUND
Alexi Mizin: In RL I am in marketing and communications, I specialize in branding initiatives for non-profits and grassroots organizations, social issues, advocacy, and political candidates through print, exhibit, event and advertising mediums. My friends and associates call me "reference girl" or "resource girl" in SL I have adopted the same philosophies and love nothing more than a challenge of a look or a concept to fulfill.
My SL business is "image consulting" an umbrella term covering many SL consulting services including: Avitar makeovers, home or office interior, consulting/shopping, Inventory organization and a wide range of personal shopping services; also marketing and design services such as signs, logos, advertisements, and other visual branding solutions; Brainstorming business/marketing ideas
I also own an art gallery in the French Quarter SIM, and have exhibit space upstairs at the Vio Art Co-op as well as on the new art co-op on Roosevelt Island of NYC.
Business in Second Life (SL) is much the same as it is in “real life” (RL) first impressions matter!
In RL you have a brief window to make a first impression and in our virtual world you can bet that it is even smaller and your image is key to making the most favorable impression. But while introductions and impressions happen in a split second, creating a lasting, favorable perception requires a continuous concentrated effort across many platforms.
That effort is called branding and it is through branding and image that individuals, communities and organizations express their individuality.
I’d like to first define the words and put them into the context we'll be talking about today.
For our purposes, Image covers the appearance and mannerisms of your avitar, the environment that houses your business, and the furnishings and items associated with them
A brand is a promise or idea and a set of expectations held by an audience about a product, service or company. A brand is not what You say it is ... it is what your audience says it is.
-----------------------
IMAGE
The appearance and mannerisms of your avitar, the environment that houses your business, and the furnishings and items associated with them
Your avitar (or avi) is literally your face in SL. It can be complex or simple, representing all the parts of who you are and who you want to be. (Some choose to express facets of themselves thru a second (or third or fourth... ) avitar, called an alt).
You might choose to have an avitar that looks just like you in RL, or you might choose an ideal you’ve always wanted to be, or you might choose one that is more apt to draw in the type of people you’re trying to reach.
Whatever you do, Present a professional image. Get expert help – what you want may not exist off the shelf, but affordable custom work is rapant in SL. And image makeover professionals can help you devise and implement a new concept.
Since avitars are really just a sum of their parts, it’s important to remember the many aspects that need to be properly addressed.
Avitars consist basically of a shape (think bones and muscles or what’s inside the skin), skin (colorings, photo-realistic body parts, etc.) and other items such as eyes, hair, clothes, shoes, accessories, animation override (AO or AO HUD), and other add-ons that make your avitar unique and memorable.
Here are some simple things that will help you get started ... try sitting down and identifying the following things in a very specific way:
1) What type of product or service do I have?
2) What is my main purpose (business/fun/exploring/etc.)?
3) What type of audience am I expecting to attract?
4) What types of presentations or meetings will I attend?
5) What activities will I be interested in exploring?
6) What are my RL hobbies or ones I would like to take up in SL?
7) Where do you live in RL and how does that impact your persona? OR what city do you WISH you lived in and what does that convey?
ENVIRONMENT:
As with your avitar, your office, home, skybox, platform, SIM, venue, or any other area you plan to have customers see is important in the same way.
The items themselves, the quality, the presentation, how “appropriate” they are for your audience will all add to your success (or failure) in the virtual world. Do you want your SL office to be a copy of your RL one or do you want to create a magical world that shows what “can” be?
Personal shoppers and inventory management become very helpful for those starting out or those who wish to upgrade or change their environments.
As SL becomes more sophisticated, so do the ‘objects” don’t forget to keep up with the times. ... AND REMEMBER ... the audience in SL makes a decision to stay or go in a split second. That first impression ... your TP in point, what they see, where they face ... all of it can make or break your venture.
BRANDING:
A brand is a promise or idea and a set of expectations held by an audience about a product, service or company. A brand is not what You say it is ... it is what your audience says it is.
First, every company creates a brand for itself, good or bad. Your reputation is your brand. Every time you have contact with a customer you leave an impression, you add to your reputation, and you create your own brand. But do you have a branding strategy?
Branding strategy is ultimately about fulfilling promises. It is about trust, quality, service, and reliability. It’s a relationship between your customers and your company. And it’s within your reach, if you can manage your customer contact points.
In a virtual world some of the same practices will apply … others will be different. Some things to consider are:
1) Spend the money to have a designer create a professional logo, business-note card and a space ad for your SL business.
2) Manage your brand. Continually look for opportunities to make improvements. As the virtual world becomes more sophisticated, so does your audience. What attracts them today will not hold their attention tomorrow.
3) Promote Testimonials and find ways to encourage word of mouth viral marketing. Start building credibility for your business from day one.
4) Build Buzz. Be creative. Look for a special promotions and tie-ins with SIMs or other businesses. Do something out of the norm for your business to get people talking about you, your product or service.
SUMMARY & TIPS
Creating a solid, strong physical impression gives you credibility. The fastest way to be “written off” is to communicate your “newbie” status. If you are new to SL there will be multitudes of nuances that escape you, but those with experience in SL can spot the “noobies” or “newbies” in a crowd and will go out of their way to avoid them
Every point of contact that your customer subsequently has with your company is an important part of your branding strategy. Your avitar, office and/or home are vital as well as your plan for getting yourself and your business known and paid attention to and supported and that process is continual. In the virtual world you cannot rest on your laurels!
Lastly I’d like to say a few words about working with professionals in SL. When agreeing to the services of a image and/or branding expert, 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.
PRESENTORS BACKGROUND
Alexi Mizin: In RL I am in marketing and communications, I specialize in branding initiatives for non-profits and grassroots organizations, social issues, advocacy, and political candidates through print, exhibit, event and advertising mediums. My friends and associates call me "reference girl" or "resource girl" in SL I have adopted the same philosophies and love nothing more than a challenge of a look or a concept to fulfill.
My SL business is "image consulting" an umbrella term covering many SL consulting services including: Avitar makeovers, home or office interior, consulting/shopping, Inventory organization and a wide range of personal shopping services; also marketing and design services such as signs, logos, advertisements, and other visual branding solutions; Brainstorming business/marketing ideas
I also own an art gallery in the French Quarter SIM, and have exhibit space upstairs at the Vio Art Co-op as well as on the new art co-op on Roosevelt Island of NYC.
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