There are a few blogs which concentrate solely on freebies in Second Life.
Last time I blogged about freebies, I managed to kickstart something of a firestorm which split the blogosphere in half.
But SL freebie blogs represent an interesting aspect of the metaversal media. On the one hand, the majority of these blogs only cover freebies, giving “freeloaders” an avenue to harness the grid of free content, and meaning they don’t search around various stores themselves.
I have to wonder if this doesn’t lead to a “smash and grab” psyche amongst the less moral of residents, who are only interested in freebies. In particular, I found the following comment on such a blog disturbing, posted after an entry on a related designer’s free clothing products.
You should join [Designer's name removed]‘s group – she’s always sending out cool stuff for free! And they don’t charge to join the group!
Now, to me, that reads like they’re taking advantage of this designer. More disturbingly is that the following comments were of a thanking nature. I know this designer, and when I took the issue up with her she confirmed that the group was an update group for her regular customers, and she sent out freebies as a thanks. After this incident, she chose to stop sending out freebies, but rather to scour her transaction records for the big spenders to send out freebies to.
I’m struggling to accept the “smash and grab” psyche that seems to be spreading through the virtual world, and I find it to be bad for the SL economy that there are a group of SL avatars so unwilling to spend money in the metaverse.
However, these free fashion blogs also offer an avenue for newer designers to showcase their design skills. Marketing is probably the biggest issue for any new designer in Second Life – getting your product out there for people to see is a difficult hurdle to overcome.
The free fashion blogs have a large audience, and offer a large coverage. So by offering a free product to the SL residents, they give themselves a way of reaching customers.
My query lies on who reads free fashion blogs – are the audience regular shoppers who splash out the Lindens, contributing to the SL economy? Or are they “smash and grabbers” who live off designers’ generosity?
When a new or existing designer offers a product, their aim will be to bring in people to see their other products on sale at full price. I’m unsure why the SL freebie blogs don’t showcase a designer, and show some of their other “priced” goods, alongside the freebie. To me, that demonstrates more focus on these designers, and would regress the “smash and grab” culture, which detracts from the SL economy.
I think such blogs are fine, but to me it does look as if they’re showing off where all the freebies are, as opposed to showcasing the designers. Designers make these freebies available to gain exposure – shouldn’t freebie blogs return the favour and show the readers more about other things that these designers produce?
Ziggy Quirk on February 1, 2009
For a while when I did a new colour range or whatever, I’d send one out to the group as a freebie, as well as special holiday bears (I make bears for those who didn’t know. Hi, go buy one) etc etc. The reason I stopped was pretty simple, and maybe petty – I never ever got thanked. I’m not saying people should have rushed to praise me, but the odd “Thank you!” IM woulda been nice.
Now I treat it more as an update group, though I am thinking of releasing bears earlier to group only vendors or something.
I’ve been asked for freebies too many times now, the number is increasing. I do have the occasional dollarbie if i’ve slapped something together and don’t think it’s worth selling.
To continue blathering, on one hand I think freebies are awesome for newbies – especially the full perms stuff you can rip apart and see what it’s made of. Invaluable learning tools, those. On the other hand, those giant islands full of crappy blinging shoes and impossible shapes are feeding a “Gimme gimme gimme” mindset which people are carrying out of their newbie days and into the SL life proper.
Mocksoup on February 1, 2009
I think you might be missing some of the point of freebies. Freebies are advertising. There is a reason that designers drop freebies er… I mean ‘review copies’ on bloggers. Exposure. The more your things are seen around the grid, the better. And many who are getting freebies have ALWAYS been there. Taking them away isn’t going to change the fact that many wouldn’t spend L$ there.At least if they are wearing a freebie, someone might ask “Hey, that’s nice! Where’d you get that?” or just right click>inspect a prim.
Creators aren’t losing sales because of freebies. Perhaps taking a fresh look at the marketing model with a new eye. Are your outfits innovative? Is the market saturated with that specific pants suit? People aren’t interested in being clones.
Content creation has exploded over the last year. You want to do something to get your name out there, because frankly… people don’t need the ‘big’ designers to release something anymore. There are tons of other shops that are releasing high quality new items. It isn’t a small pond anymore.
If you don’t want the freebie blogs to blog about freebies, then don’t release them or ask the bloggers not to talk about them. No one is requiring you to give them out. Open Source, supply and demand economics. It is all part of the new economy.The new way of thinking.
sachi Vixen on February 1, 2009
AMEN.
Mocksoup on February 1, 2009
One designer (who shall not be named) dropped a bunch of demos on me and practically begged me to pimp her skins when someone asked about skins in one of the groups I was in. I was nice to her and said “Sure” and then promptly deleted them. She didn’t care whether or not the person wanted that type of skin… she just wanted me to be free advertising for her.
This same designer bitches and complains about the ‘freebie culture’ running rampant on the grid every chance she gets. Well, if she wants something for nothing, why shouldn’t other people?
Moggs Oceanlane on February 1, 2009
I like your idea of showcasing the other items along side the freebies.
I love the freebies and dollarbies in designer stores as they give me the opportunity to see how it fits my avatar before committing funds (I don’t mind with lower priced items but some designers charge a reasonable amount for their stuff).
When Jessyka Richard used to post freebies on plurk, I’d from time to time go and check them out – and I think I spent at every store where I found something I liked. I either bought extra items there and then… or went back later. Without the freebies (samples) I may never have discovered them.
Not everyone who has nothing but freebies in their inventory is necessarily a greedy bastard – some people have life circumstances than don’t enable them to earn an income or get out and about and socialise and freebies allow them to participate as equal members of the community. Then again, in all societies there are people who are going to abused the system and get all they can out of it for the minimum input.
I hope that some people do focus more on the designer and not the freebies – and hopes it makes a difference – though I feel if the true motivation is greed rather than lack, those people won’t change.
Makenzie Irling on February 1, 2009
Requested spammage :]
http://slprettylittlethings.wordpress.com/
My blog focuses on freebies/gifts but also well made, fairly inexpensive, items. I also plan on doing some spotlights on designers who consistently make great items at a good price.
Mocksoup on February 1, 2009
http://freysbargainbin.blogspot.com/
Contributes to the ‘not just freebies’ blogosphere
*disclosure* I contribute to this blog when I have time.
Laleeta on February 1, 2009
Well as a freebie blogger I thought I would add my 0l to the discussion.
On my blog I try to keep the amount of not free items to a minimum for a simple reason, some people that read the blog don’t speak English very well and base themselves on the pictures and LM to the stores to get the gift. So what happens if I slip a non free item here and there is that most of the time I will receive IMs from people that bought it by mistake thinking it was free.
The other reason is that I want to keep things clear. We are not a fashion blog we are a freebies blog. People come to the blog looking for something specific if we started featuring non free outfits in all of our posts it will be like your butcher trying to sell you fish, you might like it but it’s not what you came here for. There are plenty of fashion blogs out there that do it way better.
Besides I think the freebies have made a transition into the sphere of “promotional gifts”, they are no longer here to help new players begin their adventure but more of a small sample of your ware to convince hesitating customers. Therefore if the designers have been completely truthful with themselves while choosing what promotional gift to offer, as freebie bloggers we wouldn’t have to feature anything else to make people want to purchase more things from that store. If after seeing what a great gift the designer is giving they still don’t want buy something there we might feature all the outfits in the world there will be nothing to change their mind.
All this being said and done I sometime fall in love with an outfit in a store that is not free and will feature it in one of my blogposts. Just not as a regular feature that is all.
By the way I have met a lot of different kind of readers from the ones that try to make their avatars with only freebies to the one that are as much as a serial shopper as I am.
So don’t give up on freebies blogs just yet, we might not feature non-free stuff but I think we have the merit of introducing new people to the blogosphere that little by little will become consumers themselves.
Bailey Longcloth on February 1, 2009
I’m one of those people who reads a few of the freebie blogs. If I see something that strikes me I’ll go check out the store. Half the time I don’t grab freebie, I’ll buy something else or if I do grab the freebie, I’m likely to spend more in the store as well. For me, they are just another source for new designers, new releases, or just cool stuff to go check out.
Freebies/dollarbies can serve a purpose but like anything else, there are some who take advantage.
Cajsa Lilliehook on February 1, 2009
I don’t think the blogs are to blame at all. I think it’s a mixture of the overabundance of freebies and plain old rudeness. If you have ever worked in a job that requires dealing with the public you will know that about 1/4 of the public is just plain rude. I don’t know if they intend to be – I think they just may have never been taught simple manners by their parents.
Faerie on February 1, 2009
I think you (Prad) are assuming that freebies are given away as “thank you”‘s to loyal customers – and many are. But many more (and I would even say most) are given away as advertising, as an attraction to firstly entice a customer into the store and then hopefully wear the item out on the grid. In retail we call that “exposure” and it’s vital to a store’s success.
So if a store/designer is trying to gain exposure it simply is impossible to “take advantage” of the freebie. They *want* as many people to come and take it as possible. They want as much exposure as they can. If they have to give away a certain number of freebies to make a sale then the more they give away the more sales they make (even if it is 100 freebies to make a single extra sale they still make more sales by giving away more freebies).
Remember it doesn’t cost the designer any more to give away a freebie to 10 people than it does to 10,000 people – but their traffic value increases if 10,000 people come to the store!
But if a designer only wants to thank loyal customers then they should make the gifts group-only and close the group or charge an admission fee.
The freebie blogs are helping those stores seeking exposure – I see it as a win-win situation rather than the virtual theft you seem to view it as (“smash & grab”).
sachi Vixen on February 1, 2009
You always bring out a great discussion Prad! Your posts are very well thought out.
Tary Allen on February 1, 2009
Again the freebie complain.
Sorry but you are really wrong on this issue, if designers don’t sell its beacause, either they are not marketing their products well, or there are better stuff in the grid, or a lot of other reasons, but its not the freebies that put the SL economy down.
Lets talk about me and my freebies aproach. I’m not a creator, just a consumer in the grid. I have payment information on file, actually I’m premium, and I give myself a very generous allowance for SL, so I’m not a “smash and grabbers” as you put it (meaning I’m an adult with an RL work that can support my SL, not a student with no money or someone that actually can’t spend at SL but is no less valid for me).
When I arrived at SL I used to look a lot at fashion blogs, nowadays they are boring, always the same stuff, and there are lots of them. Frankly I look at the designers blogs I like the most and thats all.
But browsing stores inworld, or going to check a freebie announced in a freebies group(I only belong to one and thats all I need) is a way of finding new stores, or old atores that I didn’t knew. If I like the freebie the store LM goes to my shopping folder, if not its deleted, and thats the same if I go in a hunt, the stuff I like, I will go back to that store.
In all I think thats a great way of advertising, and above all, only the creators that want to do it will do. The ones that don’t agree just don’t put out freebies.
Just don’t put out a bad quality freebie, if its a sample of your work, let it be good.
On a final note, I agree that if the freebie is not good or we don’t like it, we just politely thank and go on. Saying otherwise its very rude.
Aebleskiver Thibedeau on February 1, 2009
I follow the freebie trail myself from time to time, and I find it very useful in determining the sort of quality a designer is producing. The pictures in the stores are usually very misleading about the level of detail in a piece, and I’d rather not gamble. But, if the freebie is of the quality and level of detail I want, I invariably return and excitedly dump a bunch of cash at that store. If the freebie is garbage, I delete it and cross that store off my list permanently.
To the designers, if your freebies aren’t getting that sort of response, maybe there is a problem with your offerings. Just saying…
Prad Prathivi on February 1, 2009
I think we’re getting a little off track here.
Firstly, I acknowledged in the article quite clearly that freebies offer a way for merchants to get recognition, and to bring in foot flow. It’s not a point that I’ve decided not to mention at all – it’s right there in the article. =)
Secondly, this isn’t a article about freebies themselves.. that’s already been done. I’m looking at the way they’re promoted now, as opposed to the concept of them in themselves. Again, if you read the article, you’ll see that.
And I don’t debate that there are many residents who take freebies and still contribute to the SL economy through spending money, in the same way I also think there are many people who freeload or “smash and grab”.
Lodi McMillan on February 1, 2009
I think there are two types of “freebie seekers.”
First, the smash and grab type, who are indeed just looking to outfit their avatar without spending a dime. They don’t spend time in the shop offering the freebie, and they don’t return. They don’t care much if the freebie is of low quality.
The other is the “ooh, new-to-me designer, nice freebie, let me go see what else they have” type. One that will spend time in the shop (if the freebie isn’t ridiculously hard to find — on a hunt, if I have to spend five minutes looking for your freebie, I’m not inclined to spend any more time in your shop looking at your other wares.)
To me, a high-quality freebie/dollarbie/group gift is good advertising. I know I’ll drop substantial lindens on a designer who doesn’t try to lure me into their shop with shoddy work nor waste my time.
Each designer has to decide if they can accept BOTH types of freebie hunters.
Tymmerie Thorne on February 1, 2009
Unfortunately, “customers” (meaning everyone – from those who are willing to spend big bucks to those that aren’t) are trained easily. What designers have done in an honest, innocent effort to thank customers or market themselves is to train customers to expect free items. The designers need help – help thinking of better ways to thank customers and market themselves.
I, personally, would prefer to be able to buy an exclusive group item, be offered an item first or be given a limited time discount on items (say, an extra 10% off of a fatpack) in exchange for being a loyal customer.
Zara Sparta on February 1, 2009
Prad wrote: “I’m struggling to accept the “smash and grab” psyche that seems to be spreading through the virtual world, and I find it to be bad for the SL economy that there are a group of SL avatars so unwilling to spend money in the metaverse.
My query lies on who reads free fashion blogs – are the audience regular shoppers who splash out the Lindens, contributing to the SL economy? Or are they “smash and grabbers” who live off designers’ generosity?”
If I am understanding your post, you are taking issue with the whole idea of freebie blogs entirely, and what they might lead to in the SL economy.
I love your blog, Prad, but with this issue I have to disagree with you. There are several reasons behind that.
1.) Not everyone has linden to spend in SL, and that can happen for many reasons. In one sentence above, you actually questioned the morals of the freebie shoppers. *boggle*
I, personally, started SL with plenty of money and dropped linden like it was nothing, tens of thousands per month. Then I lost my job, but I did not want to give up SL. So I had to get creative, and I discovered the world of freebie blogs. It was a godsend and I was able to continue to find great items, but keep my spending in check.
Now, fast forward to today…I am back at work and willing to spend linden again. Guess what I discovered through my freebie shopping? LOTS of new designers I love and will spend my linden on now. I will probably never spend linden like I once did, because I got my head together and realized I don’t need EVERYTHING I like. So, I continue with freebies, but I suppliment with the designers I discovered through freebies, hunts and group items. And I am very loyal to them…designers like Sn@tch, ETD, Digit Darkes, Thimbles, Mudhoney, Maitreya, etc.
2.) SL is like RL. No matter what you do, there is going to be a certain percentage of people who are just assholes. If you offer a freebie, you are taking the chance that people are going to come get it and never come back. But that would happen in RL too. Honestly, the only thing you can do is ignore them, mute them if they are rude, and concentrate on the other 80% of SL that isn’t a bunch of assholes.
3.) I don’t think there is anything wrong with encouraging someone to join a group because they give out good freebies. I have joined lots of groups for that reason, and have discovered whether or not I LIKE that designers products that way.
4.) By the same token, if a store gives out an item that I feel is low quality or not my style, that will save me money in the future. I will know that is a store I don’t need to bother with.
Lastly, please don’t assume someone is of low morals if they are watching their spending. I do not consider myself a “smash and grabber” but I have tp’d in to get a freebie and left, usually because of lag. And that comes back to me not having a computer that can handle extremely prim heavy environments. It does not make me a bad person to not have a ton of money.
This is too long and I don’t expect anyone to actually read it ;p but to close…
Again, I think you are a great blogger, Prad. I highly enjoy every one of your posts, but on this topic, I strongly disagree with you.
Desiree Debruyere on February 1, 2009
I agree 100% with Zara – I too started out only with freebies – ones I learned about through inworld advertising – and the quality was atrocious. Thankfully, I stumbled upon Icing’s freebies and subsequently bought every outfit she made. Like Zara, I once had a L10K plus spending habit – I’d grab every freebie I saw *and* spend money in many, many stores. Sadly (or maybe happily) I “got my head together” and realized I didn’t need and couldn’t afford everything I saw. Now my freebie hunting and my spending are much more judicious. I also have a crap laptop that can’t handle the lag, and sometimes what looks like a “smash and grab” is simply poor me crashing. lol And finally, you only have to look around you in RL to realize that a**holes are everywhere. If you offer freebies, you have to expect to attract a**holes like flies to ummmm.. yeah, you know. (Reminds me of that famous bridal store that has that huge sale every year – I mean have you seen how people act there?)
Terry T on February 1, 2009
I just woke up, so forgive me if I repeat what someone has mentioned or if I just don’t make any sense. However, I write on a team for The Freebie Telegraph (http://freebietelegraph.wordpress.com/). From my experience, different freebie blogs have different intentions. FT tries to present what is *all* out there, with many updates a day. The target audience is more for newbies and the ‘financially challenged’. There is more focus on the receiver than the creator, and there is not much literature to actually read.
In contrast, the Free*Style blog has very detailed entries form its team and do seek out new designers. They also have some polls on the right that, while not scientifically accurate, do give an idea of how their audience is reacting. Because of this, they do not update as much nor show as much than some other blogs.
As an audience member, I am not new and my Linden balance varies. However, I have been very thankful for all the different options provided by freebies, for I more often than not have an outfit for any occasion of theme. The various skins that have been offered, for example, have also given me an idea of what is out there and who I would like to buy from in the future. I try to thank designers when I do run into them, but admittedly, it’s an area I could improve in world and in my writing.
On the ‘smash and grab’, I believe we shouldn’t only look at the freebie hunters, but at the larger of industrial society. People have been trampled to death in real life when stores have opened for special sales. I do not feel that the blogs create this attitude as potentially stock the fire; in that sense, if the blogs were not around, there would be other factors, especially those beyond the computer. At that point, it’s each individual that should evaluate themselves and their actions.
Serene Fairey on February 1, 2009
speaking only for myself, I do both … I pick up freebies/go hunting, AND i spend about (deleted) linden-dollars a month out of pocket. I tend to go freebie hunting more toward the end of the month when funds are low. I read several freebie blogs and sometimes go to a shop I’ve never seen before just because the freebie blogs have shown me something very juicy. (Yum!) If the freebie is very funny or very good quality, I probably can’t resist buying more things at the store (or if my wallet is empty I might come back later). I still remember with gratitude the big freebie mall that made it possible for me to get my first high-quality skin and also got me out of “system” hair. … I understand there are people who never spend a dime in SL, but if they were never going to spend a dime at ANY store, did the store owners really lose anything by giving away free samples? I dont think so. We aren’t in a world where the designer has to pay for fabric and loses money on these transactions.
Meng Deigan on February 1, 2009
The reply that always comes up in the discussion of freebies is “OH DON’T JUDGE ME, I can’t afford the 50 cents US for a non freebie outfit!” Lots of reasons for this are always given – I’m a poor student, single mother, out of work, whatever. All the more reason actually to pony up and buy something. That outfit costs far less than your venti latte or pack of cigarettes that you somehow still manage to buy every week.
Its a matter of budgeting and priorities, plain and simple. And right now, SL is really one of the cheapest forms of entertainment out there. If you REALLY can’t afford to buy ANYTHING in Second Life, it might not be the best avenue of entertainment for you. Its an economy driven world, just like Real Life. Watching your spending is fine, being a freeloader and having fun on the backs of people who do the work (while you complain all the way)is not.
As a quick side note, I am of the opinion that a freebie, whether offered as a gift or as a marketing tool, should be the best item you can make. Its a statement to current and future customers about the quality of your work, not something you “slapped together that isn’t good enough to sell.” Guess what? You aren’t good enough for my lindens with that sort of attitude.
As for the original point of the post – the freebie blogs? Well, there are good ones and bad ones IMO, just like there are good and bad inworld groups. Some of the ungrateful comments I’ve seen in freebie groups and the anon comments on some freebie blogs make me cringe. Clearly, they were never taught the most basic set of manners.
I do think that overall the freebie blogs contribute to the growing cult of expectancy, by focusing on the fastest way to get your free shit and get out. Eventually, I think they will burn out the market as more and more designers get tired of the bull and go to methods that will reward people who actually ~shop~ at their stores.
Ashleigh Dickins on February 1, 2009
I used to frequent Freebie Telegraph, now it’s less frequent, but I still check it occasionally. I enjoy seeing what kind of things are being offered out there, and if I see something I like I will go grab it, but I also spend L, not only in stores I frequent on their own merits, but also stores I find thanks to Freebie Telegraph.
Some examples: I discovered Sweeter Than Candy thanks to Freebie Telegraph, and when I was recently looking for a specific style of top they went on my list of stores to check, because I was familiar with their style and quality.
Another example is a recent Valentines Day dress freebie they blogged about, I liked the 80′s style look it had in the picture, so I went to get it and discovered that the shop has some of the most gorgeously textured dresses I’ve ever seen in SL.
Ananda on February 1, 2009
Prad you make some good points about how the freebie blogs can sometimes subvert the intentions of designers in offering their stuff.
I would be careful about presuming the attitudes and morals of freebie shoppers though. The most obvious seems to be ignored – most people enter the world of SL now with no credit card info, no stipend, and no beginning L$ balance. In other words, they are broke, and have no obvious and immediate way of getting large amounts of money. If they were like me, the idea of having to spend large chunks of real cash on the exchange takes a while to get used to. I didn’t buy any for the first 3 years I was in SL, although the circumstances were different when I started.
Anyway the point is people start in a situation of feeling destitute and will grab at anything that makes them feel less so. This beginning also warps considerably the perception of the value of a Lindenbuck. So it’s really not surprising from that perspective that someone who feels like they are stuck at the bottom of this pyramid complains about getting the dregs.
Chic Aeon on February 1, 2009
Hi — I am a “freebie” blogger with almost 500 fashion posts under my belt as well as a (tiny) shop owner. I also have very little money to spend in SL. So that puts me in perhaps a special viewpoint position in regards to this original post
While most of my blog posts are about hunts and other free items given out by designers, I do — when offered the opportunity — blog about designers regular priced items. I can’t afford to go out and BUY them, however, so that limits the amount of designer showcases that appear on my blog. I also won’t blog things that are not IMHO good quality. They don’t need to be MY style, but the seams do need to match etc.
While I haven’t been blogging as much of late, I typically did two or three posts a day in the past. Who read my blog a couple months ago? A mixture of both freebie only hunters and ones that typically spend money in shops but also like a good deal and presents. So, at least in some cases I was making a showcase of sorts for the designers.
As a shop owner, I sell good quality but very inexpensive items. That has always been my focus. I usually have a dollarbie out and I participate in grid-wide hunts. I can easily see that MOST of the people that come to my shop are only coming for the dollarbies (hence why they ARE dollarbies and not 0 linden). Since many of my items are 10 linden, many people “could” afford them so it can’t be all that. And yes, my seams do match (wink). Partly it is the freebie mentality, but I think a lot of it may simply be that there are many more shops now than there were a year or so ago and not as many new people that needed things coming in.
Those of us that have been here awhile most like have all we really need. I have over 12,000 items — mostly all clothes, skins and such — in my inventory and I throw MOST of the items I get away after blogging them (sorry, just a necessity). Only rarely these days do I ever go out to pick up a freebie for myself. It is almost always to do a blog post.
So, market saturation, overabundance, bad RL economy are all parts of the current virtual fashion scene. It’s my hunch that the freebie bloggers play a very small part in the overall picture.
Belochka Shostakovich on February 1, 2009
As many people have already stated: I too owe my awareness of stores to those who run free item blogs. My first regular blog read was ‘Fabulously Free in SL’ when Cherlindrea Lamont was posting a lot there. Thanks to Fab Free I remain a dedicated customer to some of the stores I first read about and visited back in October 2007. I can also recall that there were frequent reminders about ‘freebie etiquette’ and the level of courtesy that should be displayed. That people chose to ignore that wasn’t down to the bloggers’ wish to build a false sense of entitlement.
One thing that is missing, and I think is potentially more of the issue with ‘smash and grab’ attitudes, is in-world freebie hunter groups. Certainly if there’s a potential list of 50 teleports a day to the latest free items, and collecting free items is all that is of concern, then it’s not going to change their mind about either acting with courtesy or encouragement to spend money.
Zara Sparta on February 1, 2009
Meng Deigan said “The reply that always comes up in the discussion of freebies is “OH DON’T JUDGE ME, I can’t afford the 50 cents US for a non freebie outfit!” Lots of reasons for this are always given – I’m a poor student, single mother, out of work, whatever. All the more reason actually to pony up and buy something. That outfit costs far less than your venti latte or pack of cigarettes that you somehow still manage to buy every week.
Its a matter of budgeting and priorities, plain and simple. And right now, SL is really one of the cheapest forms of entertainment out there. If you REALLY can’t afford to buy ANYTHING in Second Life, it might not be the best avenue of entertainment for you.”
Oh, holy hell! Are you really saying that if someone is on a budget or has decided they need to cut back on their SL spending that they should LEAVE SL??? Yes, it IS about priorities, and while I was out of work, MY PRIORITIES were to pay my mortgage, my utilities, and my health insurance. No, I don’t smoke or drink coffee, so don’t use that argument with me.
So, I should give up the friends I have made in SL and the relationship with my SL BF because I don’t have money to spend in SL at a given moment??? REALLY???
Man, the view must be nice from up there on your high horse.
Cerrie on February 1, 2009
This as all your posts was very well done and beautifully articulated. I have but one thing to say; you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink. And rest assuredly if another freebie blog was created in the style by which you speak of someone would write a commentary about it, not happy with the style. It’s probably just a no win situation.
And speaking from my own personal time in SL. I infuse a great deal of my personal money into the economy but I do so love a good freebie. I may not evne spend time at the store looking at the good for sale and or purchasing as sometimes the free item exceeds the quality of the other for cost items. I’m not sure how that happens but believe me it does. Shops reputations often proceed them and as a shopper word does tend to get around.
Lavea Alter on February 1, 2009
Ah, the great freebie debate!
I’ve had a shop in SL for more than 1-1/2 years. Until recently, it had gone unnoticed by the masses. I routinely released new items at a very low price (generally 25L or under) and offered something else in the store for 1L. This was a necessity for me. It brought in traffic and much needed lindens to pay rent.
The shop is at the point now where, thanks to much attention from bloggers recently, that my partner and I can transition away from the dollar item/low intro prices.
There are people that come in solely to grab the 1L item and nothing else. Is it frustrating? Sure, but they aren’t the type of customer that will spend more. However, for every X number of people that just grab the cheap items, there is someone that stops and looks around, and does spend money on full price items.
Free/cheap items are a double-edged sword. They can be great advertising, but they can also kill your biz when the grid is flooded with them. I don’t see them disappearing, though. Certain holidays alone will bring about lots of them, especially with hunts. All I can really do as a designer is try to offer decent quality at reasonable prices and hope it keeps me on enough people’s short list.
Ana Lutetia on February 1, 2009
Since a lot of the freebie blogs are written in Portuguese, I am seriously considering translating your post! Some of them only show pictures and SLurls to grab the freebie.
I totally agree: freebies blogs are read by those who simply want to grab freebies and don’t care who the designer is. I would go even further: most of these bloggers don’t even know what quality means in a SL product.
Belochka Shostakovich on February 1, 2009
Excuse me Ana Lutetia, but are you making a specific comment at Portugese (or perhaps Brazilian Portugese) speakers blogs or all free item blogs? Because you seem to be conflating all “freebie” blogs as the same the negative perspective. I’m aware that you feel that free items degrade the value of SL designers. Of course that is your opinion to hold, but whilst you are expressing your opinion on those who take “advantage” of free items can I ask if you are also giving this feedback to designers you are acquainted with to prevent them degrading their brand, as you feel so strongly?
creamy on February 1, 2009
Excuse me, but has anyone ever read the Free*Style blog? We actually get accused of showing too many non-freebies!!
We love to show free and non free creations from designers. I have had many an IM from creators thanking us for blogging their store as it has helped to publicise their store, our blog has evolved from a simple freebie blog to introducing the new brilliant creators.
Ugh, tbh I’m tired of this :/
nanica on February 1, 2009
I’m not a freeloader. I just dont beleive I need to spend a million dollars to create an avatar.
I stay in the groups I join, and I spend time in the stores that have free items. Occasionally I purchase. If it wasnt for appearing on the ‘free’ website I would never know about it.
I wish people wouldnt give peeps like me a bad rep because they DO freeload.
Meng Deigan on February 2, 2009
@ Zara… wow, angry much?
“Oh, holy hell! Are you really saying that if someone is on a budget or has decided they need to cut back on their SL spending that they should LEAVE SL???”
No, I said – “If you REALLY can’t afford to buy ANYTHING in Second Life, it might not be the best avenue of entertainment for you.” Please note the word ~anything~. In other words, if you can’t spend a single penny in SL – it might not be as entertaining as another option – say, watching tv or visiting your local library. Not a word was said about leaving. Please read, kthx.
“Yes, it IS about priorities, and while I was out of work, MY PRIORITIES were to pay my mortgage, my utilities, and my health insurance. No, I don’t smoke or drink coffee, so don’t use that argument with me.”
It seems from your copious use of all caps and punctuation that you think my post was directed specifically at you. It wasn’t. The priorities I am referring to are how one spends one’s entertainment/luxuries budget. Of course you don’t spend your allocation for the mortgage payment or light bill on pixel clothes. That’s common sense – well I thought it was.
“So, I should give up the friends I have made in SL and the relationship with my SL BF because I don’t have money to spend in SL at a given moment??? REALLY???”
I don’t think I said a single word about “giving up” SL relationships, or even SL for that matter. SL relationships aren’t the topic here – the topic is freebies. It is quite fascinating to see what you’ve read into my comments. I find it amusing that you have gotten so personally offended.
“Man, the view must be nice from up there on your high horse.”
I never personally insulted you – so please rein in your cliche attempts at insults. If you can’t engage in discussion with out resorting to “!!!!??!?!??!?!???” or “OMG SNOB!” – this might not be the conversation for you >;D
callie cline on February 2, 2009
i love to give “complimentary items” and i have since my first time i opened. why? it’s fun. it makes ppl happy and i don’t mind if they come grab a freebie and never buy from me. i don’t put out freebie for ppl to buy from me. it’s a gift from coming to my shop, (i used to serve cocktails and espresso too) *note to self, find machine.
in RL some of my favorite shops have a fun little memento you can take and even if i don’t buy, i take the item “if” i like it.
if something is “free” we should give it knowing there will be those who “play sl” never buying a thing. why should they??? sl is free, maybe they don’t want OR have the money to spend on pixel wares they most likely will wear once. that’s fine with me. i love meeting them anyway.
i rarely run into a rude “grabber”, and my group ALWAYS says please and thank you if i do a buy one get one free, im BLOWN away at their kindness and politeness, truly. (yay cal gals i love you)
i have gone to get a freebie at times, only because it was something i would have bought…
mostly my “gifts” are for my girls/customers who i am thankful for, whom i enjoy speaking to, and if others join to “grab” and leave, that’s ok too…
one must decide WHY they offer freebies. if it’s to get customers and more sales, i think there are better ways personally… but we should NOT assume one who doesn’t buy after taking a “freebie” is mean or cheap. (if we do, we need to put better strings on the free item)
JUST MY 2 CENTS!~
muwah!
xoxo, caLLie
Ashia Tomsen on February 2, 2009
After close to a year of blogging over at Freestyle, I have put up with it all. I’ve been hauled over the coals in comments, had designers screaming at me because a slurl didn’t work in a post, designers DEMANDING to be blogged. I’ve had everything about my sl ripped to pieces, from my av, to my skin choice, oh and the fact that apparently my arms are overly long and my hands too big. Nice huh. All this, because of something that was supposed to be fun. Creams thought I took good pics and made some nice finds (new designers who never would have gained feed coverage otherwise)and asked me to blog. I thought why not. This is why not. I spend a fortune at all the stores I cover, sometimes even buying the freebie that the designer is giving away to everyone else (silent sparrow and katatonik chair outfits to name 2)I always show non free items, to my detriment, because that gets me love. I have found stores that are *now* all over the feed and I would like to think I played a small part in that success. There are also some stores who after begging to be blogged and getting a wee bit successful, now run round the grid whining about how freebies are bad for the economy. Funny eh. I take time a care with my posts and pictures, to make sure the clothes/skins/hair/shoes are given the proper attention they deserve. And it’s thankless. While your article is well written, it’s sweeping and generalized. Perhaps you really should have looked more into the freebie blog culture, especially the ones on the feed. While it’s clear we can’t keep everyone happy , I’m largely sick of tired of being blamed for the SL sky falling,especially when the money I alone sink into SL is enough to keep it afloat several times over.
Ana Lutetia on February 2, 2009
(BTW, I was talking about some freebie blogs that aren’t even on the feeds…?)
Lavea Alter on February 2, 2009
Creamy and Ashia,
Bless you both for you Free*Style. I am one of the small shops that has benefited from y’all. Well before I was ever posted on your blog, I was reading it because it showed GOOD freebies/sales/etc AND items that aren’t “cheap.” It’s well organized and styled. Screw the naysayers.
Lavea Alter on February 2, 2009
Actually, I’ve thought more on this and need to point something out. The number of people that do come in for the items we list at 1L generally more than covers the costs associated with the item, and that’s all I shoot for. If I break even, I’m pretty damn happy. I also get several thank yous for putting out cheap items.
The times when there is a a glut of freebies/cheapies is just par for the course in business. Sales naturally wax and wane in SL and RL. I know that if I want to thrive in SL that I have to anticipate that and continue to make things people want to spend more than 1L on.
Gidge on February 2, 2009
My two cents as a fashion blogger:
I love the freebie blogs. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have found a ton of the new stores/different stores on the grid. Most of my SL is now taken up SHOOTING pics with Cajsa, vs. casually shopping and chilling around with friends.
Freebie bloggers help me out in two ways, they let me learn about new stores and showcase WHAT they sell there (in various ways.)
Picking up a freebie, or a reduced item, at a store is a great way to LEARN that designers style and abilities and help me learn if I want to deposit lindens there.
I sit and watch people come into my store solely for the freebies,and that is ok with me. Because sometimes I see those same people come back.
It really comes down to a question of manners and finance. It’s ok to be broke and require the freebies to make yourself the SL you want – I truly believe that.
If you have good manners.
creamy on February 2, 2009
I have to apologise for the ranting in my previous comment, I was a little tired and emotional, now I am in a rested, sensible mood again I can respond properly to Prad’s article
I have often asked myself the question, are people benefiting from providing freebies and having them featured on blogs? Are shoppers just smashing and grabbing, or are they also being introduced to new stores and buying full priced items?
You may be interested to look at the surveys I did on this very matter on the side panel of my blog http://www.slfreestyle.blogspot.com/ – these surveys have been running for a few months now. Yes there are ‘smash and grabbers’ and rude people who give everyone a bad name, but on the whole those surveys speak for themselves. The majority of creators who have responded are seeing an increase in sales and shoppers are discovering new stores.
Many creators actually get pleasure out of simply giving and people enjoying their creations, if people buy in the future then that is a bonus. If a store owner wishes to give to loyal customers only and avoid the smash/grabbers, all they have to do is a charge to join their group and make all their gifts ‘group only’.
No one is obliged to give a free gift at all so those that don’t like it..don’t do it.
Also as I said in my last comment, very often we at Free*Style do make an effort to show designers non free items.
Zara Sparta on February 2, 2009
@Meng
Oh, honey…that wasn’t anger. That was shock and amazement at the amount of judgment a person could percieve from your post. I am sure that your comments about lack of money in SL had nothing to do with my post which was just 3 posts above yours.
I never said you personally insulted me. Your tone of condescension, superiority and disdain for anyone that doesn’t want to spend money in SL was offensive to anyone who doesn’t want to spend money in SL.
Caps in this type of format are strictly to emphasize. And did my 9 questions marks really get on your nerves that much? ((Hugs))
Minx Arashi on February 3, 2009
While I don’t shop for freebies actually, I DO like it when a designer places some out in their shop. It’s an opportunity to try some of their designs without actually spending and regretting a purchase.
After all, some displays are MUCH nicer than the actual product, and freebies can give you at least some idea of what to expect when you finally spend some $L.
As for blogging freebies, well, I think they should be blogged if they’re quality. Some freebie blogs seem to just blog freebies becuase they’re free.
Kitty O'Toole on February 3, 2009
Prad you naughty boy, look at what you’ve started!
This subject always touches nerves doesn’t it? I think your perspective on this is very dependent upon your RL personal circumstance. At the moment, I’m finding the credit crunch a real strain and because I fund my SL fun entirely from my own pocket I’m starting to feel the strain. It’s across the board too; my office in Angel Square is no more, sob..sniff, and I’m facing the very real prospect of losing my land holdings soon..which would break my heart. However, I think it may have to happen, because I *WANT* to be able to shop and BUY wonderful things from designers in world, for my own pleasure and to write about upon my blog…so if I have to sacrifice my in-world home to enable me to be able to spend in-world, then so be it. ( Although I do start a new job in a few weeks which fingers crossed may just save my bacon….lol!)
That said, I do read the freebie blogs because they often provide invaluable leads. Here’s an example-last night I was reading ‘Fabfree in SL’ and spotted a freebie hairstyle that I’d never seen before and simply must have. So I zoomed on over to the store (it was Bish Hair incidentally) and got the freebie. While there, I had a good look around and fell in love with the style on display next to it ( It’s called ‘Toss Me Around’and is on my blog and it looks FAB) and immediately spent L$375 lindens there and then because if I didn’t have it I would have died on the spot..or something equally dramatic:) I also picked up LOTS of demos to try on at home, and if I love the way any (or all) of those look then I’m going right back there and buying them ! Incidentally, the freebie hair didn’t work on me, but stuff that..that freebie provided a lead into a store I had never visited before and spent some serious Linden in, and will add to my list of stores for repeat visits. Anyways, back to my point- I’m using the freebie blogs a lot more at the moment to ‘sustain’ me, but I’m still spending. In fact my own ethics tend to mean that if I get a freebie I really do try and purchase from the designer as well.
Enough ramble..great post for provoking debate Prad..nice one!
Kitty xxx
Faerie on February 4, 2009
Once again a lot of people have felt it necessary to justify themselves in the face of accusations of being “freeloaders”, of “taking advantage”, of outright stealing (by “smash & grab”) or of being of “low morals”. They shouldn’t have to justify themselves because they shouldn’t be accused of these things.
Now Prad you have a store don’t you? So when you say these blogs “detract from the SL economy”, are you accusing them of taking money from your pocket? Is that why you have so many negative descriptions for people who read freebie blogs? You didn’t talk about issues like manners (like saying thank you) like many people who felt they had to justify themselves did – you spoke in terms of actual stealing.
Well I read the blogs but I refuse to justify myself to you or anyone for doing so. If you want to know whether I’m a person of low-morals taking advantage of designers who put out freebies, you’ll just have to get to know me and then make your own mind up as to whether I’m contributing to the SL economy or not.
But I have to say that I do not like the sweeping accusations about low morals and robbery that you made or your demands that the blogs and their readers be defended. I did defend them and I will again – the blogs serve a beneficial purpose that can only benefit a store that decides to offer an unrestricted freebie. It was the store’s decision to offer a freebie after all.
For your next blog piece, how about writing about greedy stores charging excessive prices and their lack of contribution to SL’s social welfare by restricting access to quality items?
Go on – I dare you.
Lilliana Corleone on February 9, 2009
I kind of disagree with you on the “smash and grab” concept. Personally, I have picked-up freebies or joined a group and received a freebie, and in turn loved the freebie so much that I have gone back to the store and have bought other items. I like the idea of getting a free smaple of a designers work. I respect quality and if I can see quality in a freebie just think of what an item that has a higher price attached to it would look like. That’s my own personal opinion. Thanks:)
Krissy Muggleston on February 10, 2009
I think Callie Cline said it best: Hopefully designers create freebies because it’s just fun to give. We’ve heard repeatedly that the metrics show that freebies do not increase sales, only traffic. The Sl freebie is really just part of a culture which includes the freebie blogs, hunts, and a frugal nature. Those that join groups for freebies are all part of this culture. It’s a lifestyle. The people who live SL this way get a thrill when they find a good freebie and then they look for the next one.
Isobel Greenwood on March 17, 2009
I hit a few freebie blogs a day, and yeah I pick up a lot of great stuff, but I do spend a bit of $L at the stores too. I have often been impressed by the quality of a free item and gone back to spend more. One of my favorite stores had a great set of free stuff, I loved it all so much I now own about 50% of the stuff for sale on the walls too. A lot of the designers I talk to are happy to use it as promotion, getting their name out there etc…
I’m a habitual inspector… if I see something I like I want to click a prim and find out where I can get it, and so if someone’s designs are getting out on the grid through freebies they might get more exposure that way, esp if the get attention from blogs about it.
I also know that I was a completely free av for so long (camping chairs are so sloooowww at giving L but it was all I had
, and now that I work in sl I take the money I make and go spend it at the designers I’ve always frequented, often because I discovered their shop through a promotion or hunt. To me it seems a great and totally optional way to get publicity for a designer if they choose to use it. The bloggers put in a lot of time into their pics and posts, and they’ve uncovered a lot of great stuff I never would have found otherwise.