Day 102 - Let's Chat

Good morning, kids! Let's have a chat for a sec.




We're coming into the summer season [at least for some of us] and as such, I've already started to see people saying, "My sales are down!" This is very common in the summer, but usually doesn't happen until about mid-summer or so when folks are out and taking vacations and saving up for the upcoming school year and all that jazz.

Do you remember us discussing back in February why you may not be getting sales or being blogged? There was actually a whole big list of things that I had, but I had done just a little condensed version then. So as the whole "I'm not getting sales!" thing seems to be coming up again, let me tell you another reason why you might not be selling anything. [Provided that your stuff is actually good and not crap like we discussed in February.]

Please remember that this is all opinion, so don't be all butthurt about it. :)

Are you a creator who uses a social media forum such as Plurk, or Facebook, or even SL Universe? Yes? Then you MUST start watching what you say!!!

I know, I know. Creators are people just like anyone else and they should be allowed to say what they want. And I agree - up to a point. But let's face it. Most people don't like supporting creators who have been huge jerks to them or to their friends. Also, if you're the person with the constant crisis, the neverending litany of excuses as to why your life sucks, the almost monthly "threats" that you're going to close your store if you don't start making sales, that could be the reason why no one is shopping you. People will help out once or twice to give you a boost, but after a while it's a bit annoying and quite damaging to your brand.

I'm also going to extend this to your CSRs. If you have someone who promotes your brand, you need to make sure they're not out there throwing shade and being disliked. That reflects poorly on you! How many times have you had really awful service somewhere, like a restaurant, and so you stopped going? It's almost the same thing. Even if your CSRs service is impeccable, if they're out there being a raging nutcase on Facebook or Plurk, people will remember and be less likely to shop you.

Now I'm not saying you have to be Susie or Stevie Sunshine all the time. People want to know the person behind the product. We all have bad days here and there. If you don't depend on your sales for more than just extra spending money in SL, then it probably doesn't matter. But if you DO use your SL money in the outside world, if you cash out, if you use it to pay for your sims - just think before you type once in a while.

And that's my opinionated post for the month. :-p