MSNBC:
… The number of opportunities available is really only limited by your imagination. Real estate is a big moneymaker, as evidenced by Chung’s success. Even Lokke has a side business as a landowner, subletting property on the 10 islands he owns. There are also numerous opportunities for coders who want to build more complex creations using Second Life’s unique scripting language.
Even a B2B community has sprung up. When Dibbel decided to promote Play Money in Second Life, the infrastructure already existed. He found a bookmaker to create a virtual version of his book, and a pre-existing vending machine to sell it in. ‘There’s already a community of solo entrepreneurs there to fill the gap on a B2B level,’ says Dibbel. ‘If you have an idea you think would be a good thing to have programmed up, you don’t necessarily have to do the programming at this point.’
Getting Started in Second Life
First and foremost, you’ve got to start visiting this virtual world. It’s free to start an account, but tiered pricing levels will allow you more access to the world in the form of a Linden dollar allowance and the ability to own property. And you can’t jump into a Second Life business - you’ve got to get to know the world and decide if it’s the type of place you want to really build another life in.
From there, your personal interests will guide you to potential business ideas. You’ll also want to start developing your own community of contacts. Much of the work in a virtual world business - like a real-world business - comes from networking and building a list of contacts and friends.
Finally, be prepared to spend a heck of a lot of time on Second Life. Just because it feels like a game doesn’t mean your work will always be fun. Like any hobby-turned-business, the ‘business’ parts can suck much of the fun out of what was once your passion. Be prepared to spend 40 or 50 hours, as Lokke does, on top of your normal, full-time job before you can break free and take it full time.
Second Life Business Ideas
On the Second Life website, the company lists the following businesses as some real examples of in-world enterprises run by residents:
* Party and wedding planner;
* Pet manufacturer;
* Tattooist;
* Automotive manufacturer;
* Fashion designer;
* Custom avatar designer;
* Jewelry maker;
* Architect;
* XML coder;
* Freelance scripter;
* Game developer;
* Tour guide;
* Real estate speculator;
* Publicist.
More business opportunities here.
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