The Advantages of Using Second Life

In 2003, the world was introduced to a revolutionary new client program called Second Life. This internet based, virtual world, is actually a, next generation, social network service, that enables its users, known as ‘residents’ to interact through identities called ‘Avatars’.

In Second Life, the residents can do everything that people do in the real world that is meet other residents, explore their world, participate in various activities, indulge in trading and services, socialize, amongst other things.

It must be understood that, though many people regard Second Life as a game, it is not so. There are no points, objectives or levels. Moreover, it is now being seen as an opportunity for marketers to add potential value to its business and in ways and means that are not possible using the traditional means of marketing.

It’s a whole new way of customer interaction.

Here are a few benefits of Second Life that are changing the way people do business.

You can share your real-time experience

People who use a website to promote their business interests will realize the importance of this advantage. A website is at best a channel that offers one-way communication. However, Second Life offers its users the benefit of using different kinds of media channels and that too at one go. For example, an avatar, who attends a virtual meeting can chat with another avatar, which is a part of the same meeting and watch the same video the other is watching.

A new promotional marketplace

There is a convergence of all sorts of communication channels in Second Life. This means that various companies have created various products and concepts that are very difficult to showcase, using the traditional forms of media.

Moreover, these products and services can not only be seen but also be experienced by the potential customers in this virtual world. For e.g., visitors to Second Life can make their way to Dell Island, wherein they can enter a huge 3-D dell computer, and are shown how the different parts of a computer operate.

More importantly, after having a look at these inner workings, if visitors have some queries, then there are virtual representatives who are on hand to answer them on an immediate basis.

The training and recruitment advantage

Various companies are using Second Life as a training ground for its employees. Training series are being conducted in a virtual world to make trainees understand the finer points of various applications, software, hardware, engineering tools, methods etc.

Not only this, this virtual environment is being used to conduct job interviews on a real time basis.

Extensive coverage and accessibility

As its environment is internet-based, Second Life has a global reach; this essentially means that its one of the best places to hold teleconferences and meetings. There are many companies that have used Second Life for various activities like:

• Web-Casting
• Product Announcements
• Group gatherings
• Press releases
• Product Launches
• Events in conjunction with partner companies

There are numerous other potential benefits of Second Life, but the whole environment is still being developed and is still quite experimental in nature. As it evolves, Second Life will provide even more advantages to its users.