Timing Is Everything

 
It’s not good enough to have terrific products, good customer service or a great store experience. You also have to market your goods according to the seasons. In Second Life there are very definite seasons, and I’m not talking about the passage of the virtual sun that traverses our imaginary skies seven times per day.

No, the seasons are measured by major events, at least for in-world commercial purposes. New Year’s Day, WinterFaire, Halloween, Burning Life, Christmas, etc. really define the seasons, as we see behavior, activities, products and even structures come and go as these “seasons” evolve. It’s much like greenery that covers the RL globe, ebbing and flowing as time passes.

So what is a business owner to do about this? First, you must have a schedule of such events, and plan around them. Products related to the event are not sold on the day of the event, but in fact are sold days and weeks before the event. If it is your intention to capitalize on the event, you’d better get your products in order well before the event and have them marketed too.

The upcoming event these days is, of course, Valentine’s Day. It’s one of the bigger events in SL, and merchants are trying their best to service everyone’s needs. I’ve been doing that as well, by building a completely new store with special emphasis on such events and activities; I have an entire section devoted entirely to Hearts and related gushy stuff.

 
Unfortunately, my construction took longer than anticipated and I didn’t manage to get into the grid-wide Valentine Hunt. But, that’s OK, because I’m starting a mini-Hunt of my own. When you show up at Electric Pixels for the next couple of weeks there will be some surprises in store for all visitors. Please come by and get some treats, and let me know what you think of the new store layout!