Marketing for Second Life Venues

Marketing your venue is important to both the venue and the performers you hire. I’m sure you would like to see that the money you are putting out to hire performers, pay tier and staff is being put to its best use. One of the ways to do that is to market your venue shows to get the best possible audience you can. As most of you are aware, I manage and am business partners with musician Seth Regan, also known as Mankind Tracer in Second Life. When we are promoting anything, the following are just a few of the things we do to get the information out there to the SL public.

One of the important ways you can market shows at your venue is to list them in Second Life events. This is a very critical step in marketing as the majority of fans are looking in events to see who is performing. You should list in events as early as possible. If you book the performer a month before they actually play then list it right then because the sooner you can, the closer to the top of the event listing for that time you will be. Make sure to ask the performers if they have any promotional text just for SL Events.

When you are hiring musicians to perform at your venue, consider the time you are booking them and have realistic expectations. In SL the most live shows are starting between 6pm and 8pm. There could be 40 other shows happening at the same time and there are only so many concurrent users to attend those shows. This makes marketing even more important because if people do not know what is happening at your venue then how will they show up?

In SL another great resource is SL event groups. You can join groups and send notices and group messages about your events. There are a plethora of groups out there like Musical Metaverse, Live Music 24, Shooting Star and many more. If you do not have many group spots left, you can create an alt and join the groups and then log into your alt 30 minutes before the show and send notices.

Seth Regan performing at To The Stars live music venue.

Social media is also another great way to market your shows. Facebook has tons of groups specifically for Second Life and SL Events. There are a lot of SLers that have Facebook accounts either as their avatar or under their real life name and they use FB as a way to communicate. There is Google Plus and Twitter as well but with both of those, you need to follow people for them to follow you back, there are few groups on G+ that are SL events related and you cannot have groups on Twitter. There is also Second Friends, an SL only social media website where you can create groups, a profile, blog and list events for free.

Another great marketing tool is booking performers back to back that play similar styles of music. Then you will get carry over from one performer to the next keeping people at your venue longer. Also, keep consistent events, even if it is just once a week for a couple of hours will let people know that they can count on your venue at those times to have performances.

These are just a few ideas on how to market the shows at your venue. You can also take cues from real life and adapt them to Second Life. Think outside of what everyone else is doing or not doing to come up with some fun creative ways to get the word out there and build up a regular crowd who come back week to week. Coming soon, Seth will be posting a follow up to this topic on his blog with even more great marketing tips for SL venues.

Quality Vs. Quantity: Performing In Second Life

Something I’ve noticed about myself when considering going to a concert in Second Life is that I look at who is playing at a certain time, say 7 pm slt/pdt, and if there is a performer that I enjoy but performs multiple shows a day many days a week, I will pass over their show for someone who does not play as much. I will basically say to myself “Oh X will have more shows tomorrow or later tonight, I will maybe catch them then.”

I’ve known performers in SL that are doing multiple shows a day, sometimes with only an hour between shows. I really feel like they are doing a disservice to both their career and the venues that are booking them. Second Life.

Playing multiple shows close together will affect your potential draw. People will have more possible times where they can come see you, so instead of having one really well attended show, you end up with several less attended. The exception for this in SL is if you put 6 hours between your shows, which will be targeting different time zones. If you have a show at 5pm, 7pm and 9pm, you are essentially targeting the same basic audience but if you have a 2pm show and 8pm show, there are different people on for each time period.

As a venue owner and longtime venue manager, I have also seen how overbooking negatively impacts the venue. The owner pays for a performer to come play, often the venue has stores or something that helps them generate income to pay for the performers. If you are losing draw because you are booking a lot of shows close together, you devalue yourself to the venue since your draw suffers and consequently, the venue traffic. Then venue owners will be less likely to rebook you and even want to pay less because you are not bringing in the traffic to justify  paying the full price. There are venues who book and pay for shows for the love of music and do not have an expectation of draw. However, since many venues have stores that pay rent - as their main source of revenue - they will simply will not pay performers if traffic is not repeatedly maintained.

Potentially, in performing fewer shows, you can actually generate more money. You can charge a little more per show and expect higher attendance. This means better tips for you and better donations to a happier venue (who is more likely to have you back).

Also, by performing less, you can help reduce the 6pm to 8pm slt “event congestion”. On any given day there could be 50+ concerts happening at 7pm slt. Having so many possible concerts at one time also can hurt attendance. If you eliminate a few shows a week during those “prime times” it can help the community over all.

A Little Rock & Roll

Tonight at 9pm pdt, Seth Regan (Mankind Tracer in SL) will be performing at our place, Club Graffiti. I went to my wardrobe to find something to wear. I wanted something red for the upcoming Valentine's Day but I also wanted something a little rock & roll. I found this cute body suit from 1 Hundred and paired it with my favorite jeans. Threw on some jewelry and blonde hair from Truth and there we go...Valentine's Rock & Roll

Venue & Musician Management Workshops

Many of you may know that I plan to hold two workshops, one on venue management and one on musician management.

I have been in Second Life since early 2008 and in that time I have built up a great career managing musicians and venues, as well as doing PR and Marketing and various other ventures. Currently I manage the music career of Mankind Tracer/Seth Regan, who is also my business partner in the Tracer|Birman Agency and The Village & Club Graffiti and I manage two venues for Solace Beach Estates. In the past I have managed such performers as Craig Lyons and Guitar Zane. I  also co-produced and the creator of the Where Is The Concert? HUNT and just opened a vintage clothing store, Brandy's Attic.

Several people have expressed interest in the workshops. Below the times and dates are listed.


The workshops will be broken up into two sessions:

Live Music Venue Owner/Manager:

Feb. 11, 2012 from 1-3pm slt
Feb. 25, 2012 from  1-3pm slt

Musician Managers:

Feb 11, 2012, from 3-5pm slt
Feb 25, 2012, from 3-5pm slt

The cost for these workshops is $40 for each two session workshop, payable via paypal or in SL in L$.

Please contact me ASAP signed up.

In Second Life you can send me a note card with your SL name (not display name) and the name of the venue or musician you manage or you can send me the same info via email to brandy@tracerbirman.com

Queens, Grannies And Other Interesting SL Residents

 This will be an ongoing blog series about people in Second Life that add interest to our SL experience and overall enhance the general landscape of Second Life.

The very first interesting Second Life resident that I am have chosen to interview is Bob McBoint. I met Bob a few months ago in SL at a live music concert. Where right away I noticed what a charming woman she is.

She quickly became one of my favorite concert goers! She has a charm and whit that is matched by none and an amazing sense of style. Bob is a true lady who handles herself with class and decorum. Okay, maybe not so much decorum.

I sat down this evening to interview Bob about her experience in SL. I must say, Bob's experiences in Second Life have been very unique if not scandalous! You can check out Bob's Blog HERE.

I teleported Bob over to skybox that I use as a workspace above the club that Mankind Tracer/Seth Regan and I own. After the initial pleasantries we got right into the interview....


Brandy: I guess the best place to start is how you came to know about SL and why you joined?
You are still a spring chick by your rez date.

Bob: I don't entirely remember... It was something I'd known about for a year or more and had always vaguely thought I'd look into one day. Then eventually that one day arrived!

Brandy: How did your avie evolve... did you start out young and gradually age ?

Bob: I seem to remember someone had told me you could float around being a bubble, and initially my intention was to float around as a bubble called Bob, but then I couldn't find the bubble; however, when I discovered a skin that would allow my inner being to shine, I became Old Lady Bob instead. I do have three or four other avatars, but none human.

Brandy: How "old" is old lady Bob?

Bob: I suspect one may be a Time Lord and thus technically older than me at over 700 years old, but, oh, I'm getting off track aren't I? What an indelicate question! blushes

Brandy: Well, they might get less delicate :P

Bob: But a true lady never reveals her age! My oh my, the values they teach you youngsters. I think I am approximately 70, but I may have lost or gained some birthdays here and there. Sustained space travel will do that to you.

Brandy (kalli.birman): I did meet you at a live music event and have gotten to know you, so I know that you are a music lover.... what other sort of activities keep you occupied in SL?

Bob: Hmm, well, mostly just Bobbling around the place.I am insatiably curious and I like looking at people's profiles.

Brandy: Me too..big time profile perv.

Bob: I have joined some bizarre and peculiar groups and visited some bizarre and peculiar places as a result of profile perving.

Brandy: Could you tell me about some of your more interesting adventures?

Bob : Probably the most interesting involves Nazis and sexual assault. Are you sure you want to hear about the depravaties I have witnessed in my brave and soulsearching search of SL's underground horrors?

Brandy: Well, lets assume we are talking about non- X rated adventures.

Bob: Well they weren't really X-Rated, as the Nazi in question remained fully clothed. I was simply investigating a fascinating fellow I came across at a live music event, and rather than judging, decided to go along and see what these rape fantasy sims were all about. After chasing a handsome young chap around the sim for some minutes, I ran across a griefer in a Nazi uniform, shouting anti-Semitic insults at people.

Brandy: oh no :(

Bob: So I alerted the admins and thus am loved wherever I go. Even as an old lady chasing young men around pervy sex sims.

Brandy: Would you say you are generally loved or do you have a few Bob Haters out there?

Bob: My other most interesting adventures have involved mud-wrestling, but you already know all about those. ( She is referring to the mud wrestling last night at the birth/rez day party of FunkyFreddy Republic at Solace Beach)

Brandy: Ido.

Bob: I am generally loved and adored, tolerated, or ignored. Only people with intense personality disorders dislike me.I know this for a fact, as my psychoastrologist told me.

Brandy: well, I would be in the Love and Adore catergory myself

Bob: Excuse me one moment, BRB

Brandy (kalli.birman): okay

Bob: I have returned. I think I was thinking something about paint brushes on my way back, but what it was has now entirely slipped my mind.

Brandy: Welcome Back :)

Bob: Thank you. I am a little hypnotized by the discovery of prim nails.

Brandy: My blog is going to feature some interesting people around SL... people who might otherwise might not show up in popular publications. I was wondering... what interesting characters have you met and enjoyed the company of?

Bob: That sounds perfect, and something I've meant to do more of, but I'm very bad at putting my brain together enough to write things.I have met YOU, Kalli!

Brandy: :D Thank you Bob.

Bob McBoint (bobmcboint): I have even met Mankind Tracer. I hear he's famous.

Brandy: Oh...yes... he is quite the charmer I hear.

Bob: Ayesha Lytton. I hear she likes watching women mud wrestle.

Brandy: That is a well populated rumor.

Bob: I hope again to run into a Mr Stephen Frypan, who was a small and extremely hilarious green alien I met at a concert.FunkyFreddy Republic, who has a crush on me.QuentinCrispy, Second Life's 2nd most fashionable man.The Infamous Sundai Devinna and her kinky boyfriend Lucas Black! GWAMPA. The genuinely inspirational Bowie Zeplin.

Brandy (kalli.birman): Well, sounds like you meet a lot of people.

Bob: Yesterday I met The Batman, as a matter of fact. He didn't say a great deal however. Shy type.

Brandy: He seems like the strong silent sort. So, Bob, if you could give the general SL population some advice... what would it be?

Bob: I am also most fond of the Hobo crowd, who gave me this haggis hat, which allows me to tell people's fortunes (or so I have recently been caused to discover). That was not an answer to the last question, about which I am pondering. I would tell them that it is extremely important to take a moment to stand up from the computer and stretch their arms, circle their shoulders, and inhale deeply on their bongs. If you want to sing out, sing out! You can be anything you want to be, so why on earth would you waste your time being a stuck up asshole? I would tell them to set free the birds, and leave the sheep unmolested, for we aand nature are one. Ban the bomb, I would cry to them!

Brandy: That is very sage advice and to end any confusion... is Bob short for something?

Bob: I would also have a word or two to them about their socks. But that would be taking the conversation in an entirely wrong direction. Bob is short for many things! In this particular case however, it is short for Roberta. In my day, to take a "male" short form was a feminist statement.

Brandy: I think we need to start a movement to get you on the cover of BOSL Magazine.

Bob: In my past life I was a suffragette, and its influence still holds dear. This is why I sometimes wear stilettos. They're so good for stamping on pesky men's feet with.Oh! What a terrifyingly tingly thought!

Brandy (kalli.birman): How is it terrifying.

Bob: I am merely shivering in anticipation of the fame and fortune and endless attention from men wishing to peel grapes for me that must follow. Sometimes, all I want is a room somewhere. Far away from the cold night air.

Brandy: Speaking of men... do you have many suitors?

Bob McBoint: I have had one or two offers, but on the whole I feel I should stay true to you and to Bowie. I know this is hard for Freddy to take, but it's the way it is.

Brandy: We would appreciate that.

Bob: I will confess that I have, once or twice, propositioned men on kinky sex sims, but for some reason they always leave.

Brandy: Imagine that? A lady of your beauty and they leave.

Bob: However there is one man who I'm holding out for, who, should he cast his roving eye in my direction, should he give me that blessed chance, I would, alas, dump you for... I'm sure you can guess who that is.

Brandy: Lucas?

Bob: Good lord what no. Hahaha you are a bad girl!Gwampa!

Brandy: Oh yes... Gwampa... You would make a great couple I'm sure.

Bob: I have had my eye on him from the moment I first heard the magic of his name. One drunken night, we danced together and he humped me, and my heart has never recovered.

Brandy: oh Bob... I might be a bit jealous.

Bob: I am so terribly sorry. What a slut I am! It's just, something in the way he moves, it attracts me like no other lover.

Brandy: well, I think that about concludes the questions I have... Do you have any final thoughts you would like to leave me with?

Bob: One should never have a final thought on anything. Thoughts, like good bacon sandwiches, should evolve and flow and follow their stream, meandering wither they float and whether they may, drifting like airships unto the yonder. That is my final thought on the matter.

Tricks Of The Trade - Venue and Musician Management

I have been in Second Life since early 2008 and in that time I have built up a great career managing musicians and venues, as well as doing PR and Marketing and various other ventures. Currently I manage the music career of Mankind Tracer/Seth Regan, who is also my business partner in the Tracer|Birman Agency and The Village & Club Graffiti and I manage two venues for Solace Beach Estates. In the past I have managed such performers as Craig Lyons and Guitar Zane. Currently I am also co-producing and the creator of the Where Is The Concert? HUNT.

Often I am approached by people asking for advice on one or the other by both friends and strangers. Friends I will help as my time permits, however, a stranger seeking advice might get a little but I have worked really hard over the past almost 4 years to acquire the knowledge I have. I think that the learning process itself was very valuable as well.

After a lot of thought about the advice I give and all my years of experience, I have decided to offer two workshops. One on live music venue management and the other on musician management.

The workshop on LIVE MUSIC VENUE MANAGEMENT will including things like: Promotion, hiring staff, tips, hiring musicians, the art of negotiation, what to do when the unexpected happens, gestures, hosting, and other topics that are important to running a successful venue in Second Life. There is much more to owning a venue than renting land, putting up a stage/building and hiring a musician. Venue ownership is a business and in order to be successful you need to make sure to arm yourself with knowledge.

The MUSICIAN MANAGEMENT workshop will include interesting topics such as: Promotions, getting paid, getting your musician paid, building an audience, gestures, negotiating, booking info, hosting, dress for success, finding new venues, groups, scribos, stalkers, what to look for in a quality venue, social networking sites, giving back to the community, charity events and networking in SL. Just like venue management, being a musician manager is a job and should be taken seriously. You should want to do everything in your power to help further the career of the musician you manage.

If you would like more information and pricing for either workshop you may email me at brandy@tracerbirman.com or contact me in SL where my name is Kalli Birman. Please send me an email or notecard with your SL name (NOT your display name), what venue or musician you manage and what you would like to get from the workshop.