As virtual worlds are becoming more and more popular, I began to research the now familiar to ear, Second Life, which we discussed in class, for any advantages that non-members may not see. I’ll admit that I think Second Life is a bit ridiculous but since I haven’t completed a trial run of the virtual world, it would be unfair to continue on with this thought. I stumbled upon an article that listed Second Life’s Five Primary Benefits for B2B and noticed that it has become, not only another advancement of an online social network, but a marketing tool as well.
Since I am studying Public Relations, seeing the acronym B2B (business-to-business communication) caught my eye, especially since we have recently covered this type of communication in class. Businesses are now beginning to establish relationships in the virtual world, particularly in Second Life, because there are more opportunities to reach customers outside of print. According to the article, Second Life provides three types of participatory media: social networking, gaming, and training and simulation, which makes it appealing to marketers who are in tune with new trends online and how to use them as another resource.
The article states the five primary benefits for B2B in Second Life include:
- Shared real-time experience.
- A new forum for explaining complex products and services.
- Inexpensive prototyping and customer focus groups.
- Training and recruiting.
- Global reach and accessibility.
Since Second Life’s membership increases by 20% monthly, companies are urged to begin testing marketing strategies in this virtual world. Second Life is a business in itself, trading takes place through the Linden Dollars making it possible to increase another business’s return on investment.
The downsides of B2B as it relates to the virtual world, in general, are:
- “Human" presence is important.
- Events are everything.
- What happens in Second Life doesn't stay there.
- Develop security workarounds—or stay up late.
- ROI (return on investment) is elusive.
Though there is still much work to be done to make Second Life a successful marketing tool, the right strategies have been put to thought. Online marketing is more than likely going to become the best marketing once all of the kinks with online interaction are straightened out.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
No Article, No Internet
There is no article for this, this is real! I am home, in Youngstown, Ohio, with no Internet.
Friday afternoon when I got home, I immediately got online, before unpacking my bags, and browsed through the Internet. I checked both of my e-mail accounts, Facebook.com account, Myspace.com account, the weather, movies playing in the theaters, and visited a few clothing websites. Everything was all good! I was using my wireless, sitting on the couch in the living room, laying on my bed in my room, I could even take it with me to the restroom if I wanted to (T.M.I., I know!) I was living the life.
Saturday came around and I decided to go shopping with the little sibling, of course we had checked the websites ahead of time to get an idea of what we wanted, and we had a really good time; we really caught some good sales! Meanwhile, I was using my cellular phone's internet to see what I wanted to get into that night. I checked Facebook.com to see what others were going to be getting into, I map quested potential destinations, and was calling people left and right! I was determined to have fun during the weekend portion of my mid-semester break! The Internet, as well as my cellular phone, was coming extremely handy!
So, I ended up doing nothing last night. It sucks, I know! BUT, I was able to download tons of new songs, change my profile a bit, upload a few new pictures, and chat with old friends of mine. After all, I guess it wasn't too useless of a night! I was up until nearly 5 a.m., although it's killing me to admit this, dabbling around on the Internet.
Now as I lay in bed, at 4:30 p.m., I have no Internet what so ever! I don't know what is going on right now. I may sound corny asking this, but how can you have such a productive weekend with the Internet and other technological resources and then have them stripped?! Do you feel my pain?! I don't think you do. I would like to check my Facebook.com account, yea, maybe even read about Palin, "doggonit!" I can't! Ahh, it's looking like I have fallen victim to the Internet, maybe I AM addicted. =/
Friday afternoon when I got home, I immediately got online, before unpacking my bags, and browsed through the Internet. I checked both of my e-mail accounts, Facebook.com account, Myspace.com account, the weather, movies playing in the theaters, and visited a few clothing websites. Everything was all good! I was using my wireless, sitting on the couch in the living room, laying on my bed in my room, I could even take it with me to the restroom if I wanted to (T.M.I., I know!) I was living the life.
Saturday came around and I decided to go shopping with the little sibling, of course we had checked the websites ahead of time to get an idea of what we wanted, and we had a really good time; we really caught some good sales! Meanwhile, I was using my cellular phone's internet to see what I wanted to get into that night. I checked Facebook.com to see what others were going to be getting into, I map quested potential destinations, and was calling people left and right! I was determined to have fun during the weekend portion of my mid-semester break! The Internet, as well as my cellular phone, was coming extremely handy!
So, I ended up doing nothing last night. It sucks, I know! BUT, I was able to download tons of new songs, change my profile a bit, upload a few new pictures, and chat with old friends of mine. After all, I guess it wasn't too useless of a night! I was up until nearly 5 a.m., although it's killing me to admit this, dabbling around on the Internet.
Now as I lay in bed, at 4:30 p.m., I have no Internet what so ever! I don't know what is going on right now. I may sound corny asking this, but how can you have such a productive weekend with the Internet and other technological resources and then have them stripped?! Do you feel my pain?! I don't think you do. I would like to check my Facebook.com account, yea, maybe even read about Palin, "doggonit!" I can't! Ahh, it's looking like I have fallen victim to the Internet, maybe I AM addicted. =/
Friday, October 3, 2008
There are solutions!
In keeping sync with the topic of addiction that we have been discussing in our online course area, I read an article, Social Networking: An Internet Addiction?, that was written based off of worries that the social networking sites are becoming too popular, making them addictive. CBS News National Correspondent Hattie Kauffman interviewed college students and also, the co-founder of Myspace.com on their stance on the use of the social networking sites and possible addiction.
Students who were interviewed agreed that Facebook.com served as a distraction and is potentially addictive. The article states that some people fear that these Websites are causing students to avoid textbooks and instead, log on to a social networking site of preference. Many argue that sites such as Facebook.com and Myspace.com are outlets for expression and identity and people are obsessed with keeping up with their pages’ customization. Others feel that these sites are a “snapshot” of what is going on in others’ lives and are important to maintain relationships through time. Though these sides do pose positive reasons for becoming and remaining a member of an online community, there are negatives that can go along with this as well.
According to the article, people are beginning to use computers, not just the internet, obsessively; 30-40 hours a week dedicated to e-mail, online communities, playing computer games, etc. The co-founder of Myspace.com disagrees and feels that online communities are simply serving as a substitution, meaning more time on Myspace.com and less time watching television.
There is a solution to the possible online addiction that most people face. The Senior Editor of CNET.com Natali del Conte was featured in the article and advised that internet users set limits, turn off e-mail notifications, close out social networking sites (not to be available at all times), and discontinue networking through your phone (no more Facebook mobile!)
The solutions given by del Conte seem to be solutions that most can handle but as all of these forms of communication are available, how would it be possible to keep lowering the usage without over compensating in another area. For example, if I do turn of my e-mail notifications, wouldn’t that make me check my Facebook account more because I don’t know whether or not I have been contacted. I’m neutral on Facebook addiction, sometimes I think it’s all within our heads!
Students who were interviewed agreed that Facebook.com served as a distraction and is potentially addictive. The article states that some people fear that these Websites are causing students to avoid textbooks and instead, log on to a social networking site of preference. Many argue that sites such as Facebook.com and Myspace.com are outlets for expression and identity and people are obsessed with keeping up with their pages’ customization. Others feel that these sites are a “snapshot” of what is going on in others’ lives and are important to maintain relationships through time. Though these sides do pose positive reasons for becoming and remaining a member of an online community, there are negatives that can go along with this as well.
According to the article, people are beginning to use computers, not just the internet, obsessively; 30-40 hours a week dedicated to e-mail, online communities, playing computer games, etc. The co-founder of Myspace.com disagrees and feels that online communities are simply serving as a substitution, meaning more time on Myspace.com and less time watching television.
There is a solution to the possible online addiction that most people face. The Senior Editor of CNET.com Natali del Conte was featured in the article and advised that internet users set limits, turn off e-mail notifications, close out social networking sites (not to be available at all times), and discontinue networking through your phone (no more Facebook mobile!)
The solutions given by del Conte seem to be solutions that most can handle but as all of these forms of communication are available, how would it be possible to keep lowering the usage without over compensating in another area. For example, if I do turn of my e-mail notifications, wouldn’t that make me check my Facebook account more because I don’t know whether or not I have been contacted. I’m neutral on Facebook addiction, sometimes I think it’s all within our heads!
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