Proposal
Avatar Languages is looking for partners to jointly promote the realistic sims in Second Life (Second Life locations that are designed to look like a real place – a square, a street or monument) for cultural, language and social purposes, especially amongst people who are new to Second Life. We recognize that many Second Life companies share our need to increase awareness of the virtual world and especially to demonstrate to new users how Second Life can be both enjoyed and productively used.
The aim is to work together using low (or even zero) cost marketing strategies that benefit all partners. For some partners this benefit will be increased traffic to their sim, or increased cross-over between real life and Second Life sales, for others it will be increased awareness in the concept of using Second Life for language learning or increased visits to real life tourist destinations.
Potential Partners
Initial partners will be Second Life realistic sim owners and Second Life schools; this can and undoubtedly will broaden. The specific partners will be those that see a benefit in…
- increased traffic to realistic sims
- increased use of Second Life for language improvement
- increased awareness of Second Life for the enjoyment and planning of real life activities
Aims of Cooperation
Working together we will increase awareness of specific realistic sims and the benefits of visiting these sims, which include...- socializing
- having fun / entertainment
- learning about potential tourism destinations
- discovering real life and online shops, services and organizations
- shopping at realistic sims
- practising cultural / language exchange
This list depends of course on the interests and motivations of the partners, and is therefore only intended as an indication.
Benefits for Realistic Sims
Initially, realistic sims will gain greater awareness and will profit from increased traffic to the sims leading to increased revenues (through advertising, rents or other marketing partnerships). More specific benefits would depend on what the sim owners were looking for within their own project and this would be something to discuss in more detail.
Benefits for Avatar Languages
Avatar Languages will benefit from greater awareness of the opportunities to both practice and learn foreign languages in Second Life. Although informal language exchange will not directly profit the language school, some language learners may choose to take classes in addition to their language exchange. Skype is currently well known as a tool for language learning and practice; the aim here is to give Second Life a similar level of awareness.
Scope and Nature of Cooperation
Cooperation will likely be in terms of working together (rather than pooling financial resources), to promote Second Life realistic sims as venues for entertainment, trade, learning and cultural exchange. Mechanisms for this promotion could include, for example…
- Gaining coverage in mainstream (non-Second Life) media
- Gaining coverage in the blogosphere
- Engaging with social networking / web 2.0 communities
- Engaging with real life networks, such as chambers of commerce or travel communities
- Promotional offers between real life and Second Life companies
Next Steps
A group of sims could be very effective in creating a diverse, yet accessible face to Second Life, to attract new residents to Second Life, and of course to these particular sims. Working together we can gain a higher visibility than would be possible alone. This can also be done at a very low cost.
If you would like to discuss this further and to explore how we can work together, please contact me via email (howard@avatarlanguages.com), by Skype (howard.avatar.english) or get in touch with my Second Life avatar (Howie Yoshikawa).
About Avatar Languages
Avatar Languages is an online language school in the 3D virtual world Second Life. The school provides professionally qualified and experienced native speaking teachers who offer individual and customized language classes to students globally. Avatar Languages was established by Howard Vickers, an English teacher with international experience, currently based in Bolivia.
Contact
Howard Vickers, Director of Avatar Languages
Avatar Languages
+591 765 25279 (Bolivia)
howard@avatarlanguages.com
www.avatarlanguages.com
www.avatarenglish.com
Press: www.avatarlanguages.com/press
Images: www.avatarlanguages.com/images
Blog: www.avatarlanguages.com/blog
