What is Second Life?

Second Life is a virtual world. Some people consider it a game but games have goals and objectives. The goal in Second Life is strictly to have fun and enjoy yourself. You are represented by an avatar and can walk around and interact with the world around you.

Second Life (SL) allows you to own land, own office space, dress your avatar in the clothes you want, decorate your space, etc. Marketers have already caught on and are advertising in this medium. Successful retail operations are setting up retail operations in the game where they can sell clothing within SL.

Other people are using SL as a way to communicate. My friend CC has setup virtual meetings using SL. He even has an office he has purchased and built within the game. He uses that office space to host his meetings.

So how does that help you market your business or your product? Well this is a virtual world after all. It is much like our world. You can sponsor events. You can sponsor buildings. You can purchase advertising. You can make clothes and things that have your logo on them. You can even link to web sites out in the world wide web and direct people from SL to your business or web site.

Business Schools are getting in on the action. Harvard Business School recently cohosted a conference on marketing your business in Second Life. Babson College bought an island within SL. Lego and American Apparel have both setup presences within SL.

I’m just learning about Second Life myself, but check out CC’s podcast Managing the Gray for more ideas on how to use Second Life.

- Ben Fitts

PS. Check out the Wikipedia entry for Second Life.

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