How to Get More Out of Networking Events

Networking events can often prove to be the bane of your existence, especially if you feel that they are a waste of your time. Networking can be incredibly important, however, and if the events you attend aren’t yielding valuable results, it might be time for a change of tactics. There are several things that you can do to make the most of networking parties. Here is how to ensure that you get the outcome you want out of these events:

Be Prepared

It’s important to arrive on time for networking events. You can make sure you don’t get lost by finding out about the venues before you travel - check this weblink for more information. When you are on time, you will have first access to all the people that you want to meet early on. This means that you can talk to those who are actually relevant to your business at the beginning of the evening. This will enable you to relax for the rest of the night and socialise with your peers.

Make a note of the people that you would like to meet before you get to the event. This will ensure that you do not waste time with those who have nothing to do with your area of expertise. You will, of course, probably end up meeting other people as well but if you get the important ones out of the way first, you can relax.

Dress Appropriately

Humans cannot help but size one another up by their appearance. This is not a tendency that will be going away anytime soon, either, so it should dictate how you dress at these events. You should be well dressed and look good. Do not go overboard or seem as though you are trying too hard, though, as this can turn many people away. Simply match your outfit to the venue and the atmosphere of the party and you will be fine. It is also good to wear a statement piece of jewellery or even nice shoes. This can be an excellent conversation starter when meeting new people.

Position Yourself

It is a horrible feeling to walk aimlessly around the room, hoping to chance upon a person who is not already engaged in conversation. This is why where you position yourself in the room is important. The ideal place to wait is at the bar. This is because at some time during the night, everyone will make their way to the bar. This will allow you to casually begin a conversation with them when they do so.

Be Selective

You may feel the need to give everyone you meet your business card. You should not do this. The whole point of networking is to meet people who can be mutually beneficial to one another. If you hand out your card to everyone and take everyone else’s in return, your night cannot be considered successful. After you have chatted with people for a bit, you can size up whether or not they are relevant to your business. If they are,

 offer them your business card. If they are not, find a way to naturally and politely end the conversation.

These tips should ensure that you network much more effectively. You should soon be perceiving such events as advantageous to you rather than a drag. 

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Advice from an SL Expert About Business Ethics in Second Life.

What makes a business successful in SL?

Just like in real life, a business in SL is successful because of customer relations. Although a customer is not always right as the cliché goes, in order to retain business the customer must always feel that they have been treated fairly and reasonably.

If customer service is so important, then why are there many businesses and business owners in SL who seem to have an axe to grind and offer poor customer service in addition to their inferior products?

In the past decade, The SL Enquirer weathered many storms and stood tall above the top-ranking media sources which have come and gone through the years. There is a reason it has survived. SLE continues to thrive in a virtual world so beaten down by those who forgot to appreciate the creative freedom of such a place, as well as respect and treat others the way they would like to be treated.

Despite the assumptions and negative comments from some people who seem to think they know what Lanai Jarrico does behind the scenes with The SL Enquirer, one fact remains constant. Her dedication to SLE has overcome many obstacles, people with hidden agendas, and ignorant assumptions for 10 years. The best part is the positive reviews vastly outweighs the negative.

SLE has been through the bustling heyday and the “SL Great Depression.” Lanai has experience and knows the seasonal patterns, cultural psychology, and hazards that need to be avoided in Second Life. Most importantly, she has met  and befriended many SL Legends who paved the way for those here today.  Equipped with SL knowledge and experiences, she is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to advice about Second Life and best business practices.

First, It has never been about money, nor is it about fame for Lanai or Team SLE. Dedication and perseverance comes from a passion. Without passion and hard work, ideas and creativity fail. These same principles can be applied to any business in Second Life that wants to succeed.  Sure, making lindens is important to sustain a business and a comfortable SL lifestyle. If planned properly, it can still be achieved.

I hate to break it to stubborn business owners, but the Era of the SL Millionaires has passed.  SL wealth seekers have saturated the business market so badly that it diluted the linden pot of gold into gold-plated sludge.

It has become increasingly difficult to even generate enough income to cover tiers and break even without having to dig into your pocket to cover the difference. Trying to be greedy will only cause issues, so be careful how you tip the business scale and who you try to get over on while attempting to make a profit. It is NOT like real-world business. The time spent in Second Life overly outweighs hourly wages. High expectation will result in disappointment if you think otherwise.

If it’s about the money, Lanai wishes you luck!  The unpredictable nature of Second Life makes it almost impossible to generate a sustainable income you can trust for stability. Unless you have beginning capital, a great real job to fall back on, time to invest in SL, and a true business plan in place, thinking you can live off Second Life is virtual insanity.  It may work for those lucky ones who tapped a market with great demand, ones who understand the culture and have that burning passion to succeed. With that said, more power to them,  Let’s move on.

There have been times Lanai was ready to put down her pen and accept defeat. It isn’t defeat in the sense of  being pummeled by competition.  It was a small instance where she failed to believe in herself. It is her true friends that remind her how important media is for the community. Those moments bring strength and courage to go on. The self doubt storms passed  through the years and her determination grew.  This part is about building up a support system, being part of a community, and making friends you can trust.

The energy to continue was and still is much greater than herself. It is about sharing something special with an entire community. Documenting Second Life as it developed over time, Lanai has been the keeper of records and shared stories about the culture and people who make up this vast virtual world longer than any other source in SL today.

It is a beautiful thing to be part of and that is why The SL Enquirer exists.  Take this bit of advice and make it part of your goals. The ability to make and keep friends will help you achieve your goals much more easily than trying to plow your way through Second Life with a nasty attitude and boasting without the proof to back it up.

To stand uniquely separate from others is to not see others as competition or think you are above anyone. To Lanai, she has none and prefers to lay low and work with people who want to work with her.

People with similar ideas in the SL Media world are seen like a media community.It is important to support each other rather than try to destroy each other.  It never really mattered to Lanai what others were or still are doing as long as they are doing something to contribute to the community and not causing her any grief.

What matters is what she is doing for SLE and building alliances with other sources. Right there is the key to keeping the peace and ensuring success. The Second Life grid is saturated with businesses that are very similar. Business owners can’t go around being nasty to each other or trying to sabotage their “competition.” It is a waste of time because they should be spending worrying about their own business, bringing new ideas to the virtual table, and providing better customer service.

Customer Service is a big deal that many business owners seem to be overlooking these days. A word of advice, STOP GIVING CUSTOMERS ARE HARD TIME! Do not avoid their inquiries, do not blame them for your poor business practices and most certainly do not make them jump through hoops for a refund of 1000L or less (approximately $4.33 USD) or a copy of the product. It isn’t like you have a RL warehouse, supplies and materials to cover.

Ask yourself if the bickering is worth a bad review from someone who liked your product enough to buy it in the first place?  As long as you have a transaction history, properly investigated their complaint or the product is no transfer, there shouldn't be a problem doing a redelivery followed by a thank you for your continued service. Be the bigger person. End of story.

Another great Idea is getting involved in expos to showcase  products and services alongside others in the same industry. Maybe even be part of a charity.

This bit of advice takes me back to being much bigger than yourself, forming alliances, and giving back to the community.

This article isn’t about The SL Enquirer or Lanai jarrico; it is merely an example that whatever you set your mind to in SL can be achieved if you take the time to familiarize yourself with the community and truly follow your passion. It is your choice whether you take advice from a business which has shown an enormous amount of contribution to Second Life and still here and doing well. It wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Lanai has observed many people and how they operate. She has developed many friendships and cut off just as many fake people. She has the key to success.  It is clear and she knows exactly how to protect what she has worked so hard to obtain.

Up until this point was an example that anything you set your mind to can work in a virtual world. You will find that things do not come easy. Whatever it is you want out of Second Life, you have to believe it is possible but you also have to work for it.

Also,  remember behind every avatar is a person--not just any random person you probably will never meet in real life, but someone who you may need someday for help, or a person who you learn from or may need your help.  We, as a virtual community, need to be responsible for creating a peaceful environment in which everyone feels appreciated and a part of something.

The attitudes on the grid have become alarming and noticeable enough that it was time to virtual sit down business owners for an intervention.

My last bit of advice but the most important. Develop your profile positively. It is a reflection of you and how you conduct yourself in Second life. This also goes for employees. Having questionable content in your profile can act as a deterrent for potential customers.

If you wish to be perceived as an honorable business owner in Second life. or a good person for that matter, remove the negativity.  For example, if you are a business owner and your profile says something along the lines of this extreme fabricated example- DO NOT CONTACT ME OR SEND ME FRIEND INVITES BECAUSE I AM JUST TOO BIG HEADED AND BUSY TO WASTE MY TIME WITH YOU,(followed by half naked photos of your avatar), then you probably should rethink being a business owner.

In a nutshell, being a professional includes a passionate, friendly and engaging attitude, attention to detail, helpful profile, presentable appearance and high standards of customer service. Otherwise a business owner cannot expect to be successful in Second life.

-LJ

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What Does Professionalism Mean in Second Life?- Rere Sandalwood Reporting…

Though beauty is in the eye of the beholder, there are a lot of beholders who love what they see in Tehran Hammand.

Brown-skinned with a delicately trimmed beard, Hammand not only possesses a chiseled physique, but encompasses a style that conveys perfection.  This perfection is personified in a brown tweed jacket with matching knickers, as well as a page boy hat…complete with burgundy and white checkered patterned socks. 

Yet all physical features aside, there is yet another feature that distinguishes him from others: his commitment to Photo Unlimited & Design, a company he founded and created, as well as his commitment to the photography profession.  This, as well as the ethics he brings to the photography industry are key characteristics intrinsic in what Hammand describes as “being about and beyond reproach [when it comes to] strong customer service.”  This, along with a hosts of other characteristics, are what epitomize the definition of professionalism.

Others Share What Professionalism in SL means to them

While Tehran Hammand is a stellar example of professionalism, what distinguishes him from others is that he practices photography not only in SL, but in RL as well.  According to Hammand, owning an SL company like Photo Unlimited & Design allows him to cohesively bridge his RL photography career with his SL Photography studio. He explains that “It (SL) extends my creativity. In Real Life I am a professional photographer, so doing the same here is…so to speak…my personal challenge. [Specifically, creating] photos here [tends to be] a lot different than in real life. My artistic challenge is to [solely] create and [avoid using] photo shop/post editing as a crutch. I see post edit as a tool and [as an] endgame, not so much as a creation tool set. So I guess I enjoy pushing myself past what [others] might consider normal practices [in SL Photography].

In contrast to Hammand, 亗America Seetan Ajontae亗 (also known as america2000)’s realty, decorating and landscaping business does not extend into RL.  Nonetheless, she and her partner Belle 'Love Hunni' Sonsie (also known as bbwbabe Resident) have not only joined forces to create Babes In Wonderland, but have incorporated professionalism within their SL business.  Thus, with the incorporation of professionalism in their SL endeavors, comes a desire to convey professionalism within and throughout their SL realty business.  America explains that “…professionalism is knowing the intricacies of your chosen vocation, and presenting it with excellence. I am responsible first for quality customer service to our tenants, making sure the SIM is lag free, rents are paid on time and subsequently our tiers paid on time.”

Besides providing great customer service, America believes that it is important to continually be open to learning about your chosen occupation.  America explains, “I am always open to growth.  My business partner Bbwbabe Resident is quite adept at every facet of the business, so I am constantly peeking over her shoulder and learning.”  In addition to learning the SL realty profession, America has decided to expand her growth with the inclusion of learning a foreign language.  “Right now I'm in the midst of learning key phrases in both Turkish and Croation so I can effectively communicate with two families on our SIM.  Thank God one has an interpreter!  Google translator is my friend…[but there are] some conversations I can do on my own.”  After America gives a playful wink, she continues:  “I feel the standard is to have quality, long term tenants....and not to be so cocky that you deliver substandard services because of confidence in the demand you have for a parcel.”

While America and bbwbabe Resident are incorporating professionalism in their newly fledged Babes In Wonderland Realty business, DJAykoAya Resident has been practicing professionalism in her SL profession for over five years. 

As DJ AykoAya name suggests, she has been a Disc Jockey that has worked various venues, as well as an array of private functions.  The key to exhibiting professionalism, according to DJAykoAya, is to be open to playing a variety of music at different functions.  She continues, “[My SL Job responsibilities entail that I] entertain our guests with music from many genres, create a welcoming atmosphere, [and] make them feel welcomed. [I also do] venue [related] promotions [for my clients].”

Yet regardless of what kind of music genres DJ AykoAya plays, she explains:  “The music that I play creates a warmth to our guests. Their complements, and messages on how I made them feel, or made their night special, I love that the most. [That, along with] SL being a fun place to work, as well as an escape, [enables me to] give 100% of [myself] every time I play. And to go home knowing that I did my very best, and that it affected people in a good way….makes me feel good as well.”

Making Customers Feel Good and Being On-Time

While everyone interviewed agrees that it’s important to be mindful of their customer’s needs, they also agree that it is important to be on time for the sake of your SL supervisor and customers too.  Among those interviewed who routinely practice this belief is Subtlety Dalglish, an entertainer that sings, writes, records and produces poetry that she eloquently describes as “poetic vibes.” She states, “I try to be professional pretty much all the time. I love to have fun, but I avoid drama and gossip - in other words keep it drama free and clean. [I also believe that it is important to] always be on time…even early if possible.  This is good in both SL and RL situations.”

With a seductive and alluring voice, Danglish’s poetry exhibits a sharpness and candidness that is not usually found in SL. Danglish asserts, “I sing on Inworldz.com every Sunday at 1pm SLT and on SL every Sunday at 5pm SLT at the Blue Room Live.  I also perform every other Sunday at 6pm at NY Skylight in the Sky. And starting March, I will perform every two weeks at Pure Seduction.”

Danglish continues by saying, “…I [am working on] improving my fan base [because] I think the poetic thing I am into is not as prevalent on SL as it should and could be. Poetry is out there but I wish there could be more of it shared as I share my own.”

Stacey Cardalines

Stacey Cardalines, who believes that professionalism entails “getting the job done, generally as it is supposed to get done,” functions as a writer in SL, but in a different capacity than Subtlety Dalglish.  Cardalines states, “I’m the Sports and Leisure Editor for the SL Enquirer.  I wander around SL and look for things to tell my readers about, then I tell them about these things I have looked for.”

However, just like Dalglish, Cardalines tends to touch a diverse audience with the stories she publishes.  “I see myself as automatic gunfire that eventually strafes every corner of SL.  In both [SL and RL] realms, you have a job to do and you go do it. If it was easy, they wouldn't pay you. It's a good thing, otherwise all newspapers would be written by children.”

Conveying warmth and humor in her answers, Cardalines continues, “If it weren't for this job, I'd be stripping. However, if I get fired here, I don't miss a mortgage payment.” 

Nonetheless, Cardalines as well as the other professionals mentioned in this article, agree that professionalism is just as important in SL as it is in RL…mainly because if you are producing a good or service in SL, you have to find an effective way to find and retain customers, and encourage them to continue to patronize your business.

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How to Make Your Business be one of the Best In Second Life- Piers Diesel Reporting...

Having or starting a business in any worlds can be a tough, with long hours, dedication and most of all the will to make your business if not the best but one of the best in the business world.

So where do you begin? There are a few steps in achieving the goal of becoming a successful business and here is a few steps to get you started.

Get a website

If you don’t have a website then you need to consider one. As 99.9% of your customers will check your website out to see what type of business you are by just the way the website is designed and the information you provide, even if you do not sell anything on it. Make sure your website delivers results. So it looks attractive, functional and has the ability to attract new customers to it. Appearance, organization and first impressions are very important because they represent your business.

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Dress for Success in Second Life – Shaneos Howlett Reporting.

How does attire play a part in getting a job or not  and how are you Perceived ?

These are some important questions you should be aware of when applying for a job in Second Life.

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Firing Employees on Second Life©-It's Not Personal, It's Business- Nomad Aries Reporting…

 

The firing of employees on Second Life© seems to be a law unto itself. There is no set protocol for firing an employee for incompetence or any other offense. 

In the real world or at least where I live, there are set laws and procedures that must be adhered to before and during the process of firing an employee. Not so , in the virtual world. On Second Life©, the firing of an employee, the reasons for it and how it is done is strictly up to the owner or manager of a business. This is surprising to me to be honest. If you are going to run a business venture on SL or be part of an organization, you will inevitably have to fire someone at some point in time. 

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Business in Second Life : Do's and Don’ts in Virtual Business - Orchids Zenovka Reporting…

Be it real life or Second Life, the trick behind success in business is having a business, and then, more business. The word “Business” has come to mean “enterprise” or “trade”. 

Second Life© (SL) is a great platform for a variety of business ventures. Like it may be portrayed by those that never explored what Second Life has to offer, it is not a simple MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role playing games), but a different kettle of fish because there is no goal to be obtained. It’s a “user-created” “virtual life”.

You can trade real estate, design clothing, jewelry and accessories, manage events, create avatar shapes and skins, photography, be a breedable pet manufacturer, a graphic artist, a scripter, own a club and so much more. What drives entrepreneurship in SL is that you can retain the copyright for your in-world creations. 

When you create amazing work and want to share it with other, you can with a bit of compensation for your efforts. All you need to have is an establishment where your work can be made available. People also have to know that you have a product that is worth their while.  Once you have your creations, establishment and marketing plan in place, your business in second life should takes off. 

The dream of “Making a Living Virtually” is very much possible with a little elbow grease and a few business tactics to get the word around. Take a look at a light-hearted yet honest round-up of 30(one for each day of your month) Do’s and Don’ts in the realm of business with emphasis on Second Life virtual business that will get you on your way to success.

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Our Reporter In The Field: Writing For A Virtual Newspaper-Mackenzie Abbot Reporting...

The greatest thing about Second Life is that you can be who you want to be.  You can be over 7 foot tall with abs you could stop a train with, or a sex siren with massive.....potential, regardless of who you are or what you look like in the real world. 

You can live your dream, usually instantly, and without qualifications or long boring interviews.  My personal dream is to be a radio DJ; the closest I've got to that is DJ-ing in a club a few days a week.  But I've always secretly wanted to be a journalist.  So you can imagine my delight when I found out about the SL Enquirer.

Writing for a virtual newspaper might sound a bit silly to some people, and the more pedantic among you will say you're not actually writing for a newspaper, merely a blog with idea's above it station.  But, as most of the people here in Second Life know already, none of this is real.  The only thing that's real about Mackenzie Abbot, or you, gentle reader, is the person behind the avatar.  We all know that the reality is far from what our avatars lead people onto be.  I'm 7 foot tall, have blonde hair and a washboard stomach to die for.  In reality I'm 5 foot 10 inches tall with wild brown  hair and a belly that goes around corners before I do.  Ladies...?

So if you yearn to write for a virtual living, how do you go about it?

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