Monday, 09 February 2009 02:03
Car Enthusiast Finds A Target Market in Second Life
When 24 year old Abacus Mimistrobell took a real world ride with a friend in his meticulously detailed 1970's muscle-car a few years ago, he was inspired to bring that experience in to Second Life®. He sat at his computer for 29 hours, creating the car that launched his reputation as one of Second Life's premiere car designers. His car was quickly recognized as a quality build. Three days later, he was invited to display the car at the muscle car show on Pontiac island in Second Life. The award-winning car design earned him some sales. He opened a small store - generating more sales. Avatars of Second Life were spotted racing around, having fun driving virtual racing cars. The money Abacus earned accumulated enough for him to buy an island, despite regular withdrawls to pay real life bills. By doing so, he was able to expand his (money making) 3D building skills and provide an impressive customer showroom.
When it comes to strategizing, keeping things afloat, Abacus knows what he is doing. Last year, he released only one new car, but he advertises in several SL magazines, does community sponsorship and he makes custom cars for friends to put infront of their stores. Abacus said he came to Second Life with no skills. He just had the interest and put the time into learning how to create in a user-created world. He doesn't think there is any secret to his success. He is educated in online business, but his instincts took over in Second Life, and he relies on his senses to develop the virtual world version of his real world passion, high-end car design.
As Abacus states, "its not about popularity ever in business. Its about what you can provide the consumer. Whether it is quantity, quality, specific needs, level of design, functionality, etc., these are the things that grab your target market."
When I asked if he has approached real world car makers to create or re-create their brand in SL, he indicated he had, but they are still hesitating to put money into an 'exploratory' option, such as Second Life during the economic downturn. I can understand that, but I don't see things sitting idle for long. In the mean time, Abacus continues to provide thrill rides for virtual car enthusiasts, despite what they drive in the real world.
