Hi guys, time for another edition of my new creator's pov series. This one addresses a creator's reactions to things other creators do. Again, I've seen others reacting in a similar faction, so I know its not just something that I think.
Labeling something as mod when its not actually mod, but simply has scripts.
[Or the Mod Debate]
No, this isn't mod, and when other creators do this, it makes others look bad. And why isn't it mod, anyway? Really, it doesn't stop people from copying your stuff, it really doesn't. Someone wants to, they will steal it. But saying something is mod and its not, but simply has scripts to make limited choices or resize? That is not mod. That is a nice feature, but it isn't mod.
Now, on the other hand, something might not show as mod, but its because of scripts inside that are no mod [really LL?] so if something says no mod in your inventory but is advertised as mod, edit and check the texture tab.
So, with rigged mesh, why would you need to mod it? You can't adjust the size or position. But, you can add materials, adjust tints, add additional scripts to do fun things like slowly shift colours over a day. So, if you have been making things no mod because it can't resize? Consider making it mod, please?
Customer Service or why didn't you read the <insert here>.
Look, for a good many of us creators, we work our arses off for basically the price of a cup of coffee or a tea. People will come and complain at us because we're 'overcharging' or that such and such doesn't work, because they didn't read the notecards, or the marketplace description before buying something for a specific avatar, then wonder why its not working. And I know we're people too, so its not like none of us will ever lose our patience. Trust me, I know. I worked in the service industry, long before SL existed. But...
But it is very important not to lose our tempers with customers, no matter how frustrated we are. Okay, someone is rude. Still, keep your cool, its called professionalism. Because one thing I have heard a lot in five years of selling my creations in SL, is that people are afraid to contact creators if they have a problem. Why? Because they got yelled at, or cussed out, or basically horrid CS. Thing is, most of us, I think, can give good customer service, want to help people actually get a good experience with their creations, and we can't if folks are afraid to contact us.
So if you are going to get mad at someone if there is a problem? Hire someone else to handle your CS, or just count to ten backwards, take a deep breath, and be courteous. They might not pay you much, but really, you decided to sell stuff.
Being Honest
Part of marketing is creating an illusion of quality. I get that, I really do. But it can be frustrating when people have these ads that promise so much, and yet deliver so little. And its hard sometimes to make sure the item being sold is obvious in those ads, while still giving context to it. But if you are selling something, it seems to me that ad images should have minimum editing, to give a reasonably honest view of the item. Ads shouldn't be of renders from a 3d program, because it just won't be accurate, for example.
Making sure customers are getting what they expect is good for all of us out there, on both sides of the creator/customer road. Especially if you don't include demos, make sure the ad is as good a representation as you can.
And this wraps up this week's PoV blog post. Until later, be safe and be well.
Well said!
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