During the past weeks of DSN running I talked to a lot of content creators who have signed up but not put their boxes out, and one sentence I heard a lot was “I am not ready yet with my special item”. While we appreciate designers making special items, it is not mandatory to do so. In fact there is a lot to be said in favour of taking a regular item and distribute it via the network. The sample you send should give a good idea of the quality and kind of your products and it should be aimed to give its recipients a compelling reason to visit your shop. Let’s look at the various items:
- Special item: Creating a special, otherwise not obtainable item is very common for Lucky Chairs. From a psychology level the recipient of an exclusive item feels lucky and privileged. While this works well for Lucky Chairs and other devices, the time-lapsed way the DSN works weakens the point a little. While one subscriber may get your special item tomorrow, another subscriber might receive it in three months.
- Demo item: Especially shops like skin creators with high priced merchandise will consider a demo sample for the DSN. A demo item shows the quality of your creations in a perfect way and might give a compelling reason to visit your shop. The only downside is that it might disappoint the expectation to receive a full item. But since DSN was specifically created to counteract any sense of entitlement, a demo-item might be a good choice for you.
- Regular merchandise: my personal preference and advice to content creators is to submit an item from their regular range of products to the network. By definition, this shows the quality and kind of your products. The main benefit however is the potential for additional pull this might create. Take the scenario where a subscriber shows your item to a friend. Since it is regular merchandise, the friend can simply go to your store and buy it! On a side note, selecting a regular item saves you a lot of time compared to making a special one.
Another question was if you should put a copyable or transferable item into the network. My personal recommendation is to use a transferable item since this will give larger exposure. If a recipient for what reason ever does not like/need your item, they can still give it to a second person.
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#1 by Chic Aeon at May 25th, 2009
I would just like to say that as a DSN member from day one and as someone who has continually blogged some of the wonderful examples of work given out on the DSN that I (almost :D) totally agree with your post.
The only exception I might make would be with skins. I think — in that case — making an example with a special make up might be better than a demo as people could obviously just come get the demos at your shop.
In some cases I have been totally blown away by the wonderful examples of goods given out here, and even though I am not a consummate shopper, I DEFINITELY remember the shops with the items I love and keep. I am THRILLED to be able to showcase some of the wonderful designers in this network. You guys deserve it!
I wish you all the very best. I think this is a great idea and a wonderful service. I am discovering lots of new shops and being reacquainted with some old friends — literally :D
#2 by Viola Bentham at May 31st, 2009
Attention Developers! =)
As a new content creator, I need all the help I can get in obtaining exposure for my new gesture business, considering the saturated shopping market that exists in SL. The DSN is a great opportunity whether you are an established creator, or the owner of a fledgling business, like myself.
The one-time signup fee for creators is, IMO, a convenient and cost-effective form of advertising, in contrast to, say, a classified, which keeps taking money out of your pocket every week!
And if you’re at all like me, a visual learner, you’ll probably want to read their recent blog, as it explains the process really well.
Attention Customers: You really wanna get in on this free way to find awesome freebies from contributing creators!! It’s like Christmas every day; you log in and find something shiny and new waiting for you! For free! No lines! no waiting! How often have you waited for your initial to come up on a Lucky Chair? How often have you suffered from CLS (Chronic Lag Syndrome) during a hunt? Now, while both Chairs and Hunts are fun things, the DSN allows you to get freebies with little effort.
Whether you are a creator or a consumer, and really, at the end of the day, our acquisitive nature makes us all consumers =P, sign up today for the DSN and start feeling the love!!