This is just a friendly reminder for all you freebie-lovers out there.

The Second Life Fourth Birthday freebies at Nora will be available through Saturday. If you haven't picked up your cap and bindi - get to it!

Second Life mirrors some basics of the real realm of Fashion[businesses]; style is key, marketing is vital, and connections are massively advantageous to your business.

It's actually quite interesting, especially as the Grid grows.  How do you get your "face" out there?  Advertisement is very useful I've found.  Whether it's in the SL mags, a billboard in a shopping mall, or word of mouth - it helps tremendously!  Forum-posts for new products are also pretty good for getting attention to your new wares - my primary venue for news on my new stuff.  I wouldn't personally rely on it alone, though.  Connections, well, those are not something I'm familiar with, so I can't say much about those besides "They can be good for you".

My biggest problem with being a business owner in SL, is I'm a HORRIBLE business person.  I cannot with any part of my being approach someone in a way that makes me a business owner.  "Hey, come check this out!", or "Tell your friends!", or anything similar.  I don't think like a business person, I don't act like a business person.  This may be a negative factor in running my business, but it's also positive in a way.  If a customer approaches me about something they want to buy, or have bought, I don't treat them really like a customer, but myself if I was in their shoes.  People want things to work, and while sometimes they may take that extra mile, when you gave them an inch to begin with, it's worth it to be of help - they might just truly appreciate it.

I digress, though.  While I may not be a top-notch businesswoman in SL, and while I may not be that popular a designer, I still have fun.  That's the point, right?  Anyone can have fun in SL, that's what's so awesome about it.  I set my own goals.  Isn't that what every Fashion Designer really wants?

I'd like to think so.