I also market somewhat in SL, or at least I’m “experimenting” with marketing in SL. I also know CC, he has run some great engaging campaigns in SL which DO utilise the community and where we all take away an impression, an awareness. And he is spot on when he says it is different, very different.

I’m somewhere in between the two of you, I would like to see SL have MUCH more traffic, I mean hell some of my sites would get as many impressions a day as SL has people in at any one point, so of course SL is specialised branding and marketing, to small number, but it is “STRONG” branding, impressionable engagement which companies can channel into a wider picture.

What people and companies have to realize is that setting up a shop and hoping people come in a virtual world is a waste of time if that is your mentality. You have to engage with the users more then ever. You have to be part of the community and be active. You can’t just set up and forget it. That PR ship has sailed and no one cares if you build just another island in Second Life. I know I sure don’t.

I’m still seeing companies do that. Just yesterday I checked out a new area. It was beautiful and cool, but there was nothing to do there besides look around and find out about the company. There wasn’t even any take aways or fun stuff which would have fit this company perfectly.

I’m looking forward to the constant evolution of virtual worlds and working with companies who realize this is different.