Guest Lecture Series - Metaverse Mod Squad - Chat Log

[18:08] Nasus Dumart: Welcome to the Guest Lecture Series at Molaskey's Pub!

[18:08] Nasus Dumart: Tonight's topic is 'Staffing the Metaverse'.

[18:08] Nasus Dumart: Although millions of people retreat to virtual worlds for entertainment, social engagement, meetings and exploration, there needs to be a 'crew' of avatars working to make your experience a positive one.

[18:08] Nasus Dumart: Tonight's guest will discuss the potential for work in the Metaverse as well as the availability of skilled people to work in virtual worlds for event marketing, product demonstration, greeting and moderating.

[18:09] Nasus Dumart: During this global economic crisis, work of any kind is considered opportunistic.

[18:09] Soen Eber: anything on content creation?

[18:09] Nasus Dumart: Finding opportunities through the virtual world can be very accommodating.

[18:09] Nasus Dumart: You can log in to a virtual world from home, or with a mobile device.

[18:09] Nasus Dumart: Most of the real world has yet to discover the earning and networking potential in virtual worlds. Tonight's discussion is sure to be an enlightening one, if not a mysterious one.

[18:09] Nasus Dumart: Metaverse mod Squad takes pride in their vintage 'secret agent' style - with a modern day twist.

[18:10] Nasus Dumart: They remind me of a character mash up of Maxwell Smart and Austin Powers with Twiggy thrown in for good measure!

[18:10] Mike MetaverseModSquad: hahaha

[18:10] Apple MacKay: Soen it is a lecture followed by Q&A

[18:10] Nasus Dumart: Their signature look (uniform?) of black and white vinyl trench coat, go-go boots and oversized dark sunglasses got my attention when I met them in real life at The Virtual World Expo in New York City in April 2008.

[18:10] Nasus Dumart: They were handing out marketing material as ‘top secret’ envelopes. It was done in a most mysterious way. No doubt, they have hip, ultra cool appeal.

[18:10] Nasus Dumart: This interesting and informative lecture will begin shortly. Let me just remind the audience of the structure of this event.

[18:11] Nasus Dumart: This will be a type-chat event. I will ask that the audience to refrain from room chat until your host and Lecturer have completed their presentations. At that time, the audience will be encouraged to participate in a lively period of Questions and Answers.

[18:11] Nasus Dumart: Tonight’s lecture will go according to a schedule. As moderator, I will give prompts as to when we will proceed. This transcript, including audience participation, will be made available on http://Molaskeys-Pub.com immediately following the lecture.

[18:11] Nasus Dumart: Please make note of tonight’s schedule:

[18:11] Nasus Dumart: (although we are running a bit late)

[18:11] Zelda Monday: oh yeah! im here!

[18:11] Nasus Dumart: 6pSLT-6:10 - Getting situated

[18:12] Nasus Dumart: 6:10-6:15 - Mike MetaverseModSquad Intro by Nasus Dumart

[18:12] Nasus Dumart: 6:15-6:30 - Mike MetaverseModSquad addresses the crowd

[18:12] Nasus Dumart: 6:30-6:45 - Q&A

[18:12] Nasus Dumart: 6:45 - 7pSLT - wrap up Q&A / mix-n-mingle - beer in the Pub!

[18:12] Nasus Dumart: Please use this time to invite others to join you. You may offer this SLurl™ as a landing spot - http://tiny.cc/XPgAi

[18:12] Nasus Dumart: If you are taking any snapshots of tonight's event, please share them with the Molaskey's Pub Group on Flickr at http://tiny.cc/AULDo

[18:13] Nasus Dumart: We will begin shortly.

[18:14] Nasus Dumart: Okay, let's begin!

[18:14] Nasus Dumart: The 'Metaverse' is a term that is used in reference to life online, in all virtual worlds.

[18:14] Nasus Dumart: Yes, there IS a world outside of Second Life®!

[18:15] Nasus Dumart: Virtual worlds have been around since the 1990's, becoming popularized recently with Second Life®.

[18:15] Nasus Dumart: Virtual worlds are especially popular with juveniles ranging in age from 7-17.

[18:15] Nasus Dumart: Some of the better known juvenile worlds are Habbo, Club Penguin, The Sims, and the like.

[18:15] Nasus Dumart: There are adult virtual worlds, too, as we know.

[18:15] Nasus Dumart: There is a justifiable concern for the kids and the interactions they encounter online.

[18:15] Nasus Dumart: Companies like MMS are there to ease your worries with trained moderators. It's no wonder they've taken on a Secret Agent identity!

[18:16] Nasus Dumart: I met Michael Pinkerton in April, 2008 at the Virtual Worlds Expo in New York City, where the Metaverse Mod Squad had the most interactive, in-character booth at the convention.

[18:16] Nasus Dumart: Their demo was complete with a staff of vinyl-clad secret agents, Michael Pinkerton - COO and President, Amy Pritchard. They were friendly and knowledgeable and they made an instant and lasting impression about staffing the Metaverse, something I had only mildly thought of until speaking with them.

[18:16] Nasus Dumart: Finding work in the Metaverse to support your virtual lifestyle is one thing, but earning a living this way is another.

[18:16] Nasus Dumart: Companies that want a virtual world presence, or just a virtual world event have Metaverse Mod Squad as a reliable resource.

[18:17] Nasus Dumart: Some of their clients include American Solutions featuring Newt Gingrich, Harry Potter, Warner Brothers, and CWTV.

[18:17] Nasus Dumart: The CW Television Network was formed as a joint venture between Warner Bros. Entertainment and CBS Corporation. One of the most popular brands they work with is the hit television show, 'Gossip Girl'.

[18:17] Nasus Dumart: When they have clients with staffing needs, they draw from a pool of their virtual world professionals to place in appropriate positions. It make great sense.

[18:17] Nasus Dumart: Here is an excerpt from our book, 'The Unofficial Guide to Building Your Business in the Second Life Virtual World' featuring Metaverse Mod Squad:

[18:18] Nasus Dumart: The Metaverse Mod Squad finds their associates by recruiting tech-savvy people who have experience in moderating traditional message boards. They also ‘find some gems from the communities they work in’. Many of their virtual world staff are real life stay-at-home moms, college and grad students, disabled persons, or seniors that are thrilled to receive proper virtual world training and work a few hours a day with a really fun group of people from the comfort of their own homes. A virtual world job pool is a really brilliant idea, which I think we are just seeing the beginning of.

[18:18] Salamander Maroon is Offline

[18:18] Nasus Dumart: Please welcome the ever-so stylish and forthcoming, Mike MetaverseMod Squad ~

[18:18] Nasus Dumart: ♪♫♥ Cheers!! ♥♫♪

[18:18] Nasus Dumart: ♪♫♥ Cheers!! ♥♫♪

[18:18] Georgianna Blackburn: ♪♫♥ Applauds!!! ♥♫♪

[18:19] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Thank you for that kind introduction Nasus!

[18:19] Nasus Dumart: :)

[18:19] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Hi everyone, I’m really honored to be here.

[18:19] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Can everyone hear me ok :)

[18:19] Nasus Dumart: rofl

[18:19] Artemis Nubalo: lol

[18:19] Georgianna Blackburn: lol

[18:19] Mike MetaverseModSquad: I’d like to thank everyone for coming out tonight. It’s great to see such a nice crowd! I’m really impressed, although now that I think about it

[18:19] Nasus Dumart: (wise-guy)

[18:19] Apple MacKay: what'd you say sonny

[18:19] Mike MetaverseModSquad: now that I think about it - It might possibly have something to do with the fact it's near an Irish Pub on St. Patrick’s Day

[18:20] Mike MetaverseModSquad: I'm looking forward to some green beers after - and putting it on Apple's tab :)

[18:20] Capos Calderwood is Offline

[18:20] Apple MacKay nods

[18:20] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Seriously, thank you to Nasus and Apple for having me

[18:20] Nasus Dumart laughs

[18:20] Nasus Dumart: our pleasure, Mike

[18:20] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Like Nasus said

[18:20] Mike MetaverseModSquad: haha good!

[18:20] Booboobalooba Tsunenaga: oh shit I thought you were the guy from Guiness

[18:20] Mike MetaverseModSquad: hahaha

[18:20] Nasus Dumart: (boo! shh)

[18:20] Mike MetaverseModSquad: I first met them last year at the New York Virtual Worlds Conference as they were finishing up their terrific book.

[18:21] Mike MetaverseModSquad: We were lucky to meet them before their editor’s deadline and they were kind enough to include some nice mentions of the company and me in their book.

[18:21] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Our company is Metaverse Mod Squad

We work with brands and operators to staff their virtual worlds with outsourced moderators, events teams, and customer support representatives.

[18:22] Mike MetaverseModSquad: We also moderate traditional message boards and work with companies to develop online communities.

[18:22] Mike MetaverseModSquad: As the name suggests, however, our core business is what we call “avatar staffing” for virtual worlds.

[18:22] Mike MetaverseModSquad: While we don’t work exclusively in Second Life – far from it really - it’s certainly our anchor.

[18:23] Mike MetaverseModSquad: We have our only office in SL Knightsbridge and our most high profile projects have been in Second Life.

[18:23] Mike MetaverseModSquad: To give you a little background

[18:23] Mike MetaverseModSquad: While much of our group knew each other from moderating internet message boards for other moderating companies, I actually met the crew here in Second Life.

[18:23] Mike MetaverseModSquad: I was practicing law full time and had just made partner at my law firm. My wife and I had just had triplets and I was thinking – what a great time to work for Lindens?

[18:23] Nasus Dumart: omg! - lol

[18:23] Mike MetaverseModSquad: No, I’m still practicing law a bit, but I can tell you this is a lot more exciting.

[18:24] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Our first virtual world project was working as anti-griefer bodyguards for Newt Gingrich in 2007.

[18:24] Mike MetaverseModSquad: There was terrific media coverage for the event – we were on CNN’s Situation Room among others – and thankfully there were no griefers.

[18:24] Nasus Dumart: :)

[18:24] Mike MetaverseModSquad: One scantily clad vixen that we asked to cover up, but certainly no hostilities.

[18:24] Nasus Dumart nods

[18:24] Mike MetaverseModSquad: And then we kicked off Gossip Girl here in Second Life.

[18:25] Mike MetaverseModSquad: By a show of hands, can I see how many of you HAVEN’T been to the SL Upper East Side?

[18:25] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Haha, see, it’s universally popular!

[18:25] Chestnut Rau: I would raise my hand if I could

[18:25] Nasus Dumart: lol

[18:25] Chestnut Rau: laughs

[18:25] Mike MetaverseModSquad: lol

[18:25] Booboobalooba Tsunenaga: me too

[18:25] Mike MetaverseModSquad: I joke around, but it is easily the most successful brand marketing campaign for an entertainment property, possibly for any property, here in Second Life.

[18:25] Nasus Dumart nods again

[18:25] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Going on 18 months now - and still going strong

[18:26] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Why? I don’t have to tell anyone here that because if you’re here, you already get it

[18:26] Mike MetaverseModSquad: . It’s not because it’s a beautiful build, although it certainly is – Millions of Us did a terrific job recreating the city and building the iconic show sets.

[18:26] Mike MetaverseModSquad: And it’s not just because it’s the perfect TV show for a virtual world – and again it is. The young adult and tech-savvy demographic it attracts is perfect.

[18:26] Filthy Fluno is Offline

[18:26] Mike MetaverseModSquad: No, it’s because of the staffers that have worked in the sim around the clock since it opened.

[18:27] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Unlike some other brand campaigns that quickly become what we call “virtual ghost towns,” Warner Bros and CWTV kept some money in the budget for post-launch moderators and events.

[18:27] Mike MetaverseModSquad: So we’re able to greet new residents as they arrive, get them oriented and either introduced to others or teleported to one of the daily events.

[18:27] Mike MetaverseModSquad: So it’s a markedly different experience than teleporting into either a crowd of strangers or an abandoned sim,

[18:27] Mike MetaverseModSquad: neither of which is likely to result in a positive immersive experience with the brand.

[18:27] Nasus Dumart nods

[18:28] Mike MetaverseModSquad: We get that here - it's much more fun to come into a bar with a friendly bartender or hostess rigth?

[18:28] Mike MetaverseModSquad: You're more likely to stay?

[18:28] Mike MetaverseModSquad: It's that easy

[18:28] Mike MetaverseModSquad: And then we’re also able to keep the regulars excited and engaged. These are really the show’s super-fans.

[18:28] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Instead of tip-typing away on message boards, though, they’re actually living the life

[18:28] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Dressing up like the characters and visiting the show sets.

[18:29] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Interacting with the show’s characters, played of course by members of our team.

[18:29] Mike MetaverseModSquad: On show nights, we’ll host rich and fun events that track the theme from the show. When Serena and the gang went to a masquerade ball on the real TV show, we hosted one, too. The fans absolutely love it.

[18:29] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Unfortunately we haven’t seen the same influx of TV shows into Second Life we had hoped when we launched Gossip Girl 18 months ago, or really any major brand campaigns, which I attribute to two main reasons:

[18:29] Grace McDunnough is Offline

[18:29] Mike MetaverseModSquad: First, the experimental advertising dollars just aren’t there right now in this economy.

[18:29] Mike MetaverseModSquad: I’m told that every TV show being pitched today has some sort of digital online tie-in – like Kenneth from 30 Rock’s webisodes or the Dunder Mifflin Infinity site for The Office.

[18:30] Nasus Dumart is Offline

[18:30] Apple MacKay: or Lost

[18:30] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Right - ever been to the Oceanic Airlines site?

[18:30] Mike MetaverseModSquad: heh just don't try to book a flight

[18:30] Mike MetaverseModSquad: And every company in the world is scrambling to build and tap into an online community.

[18:30] Grace McDunnough is Online

[18:30] Sicily Heartsdale is Online

[18:31] Mike MetaverseModSquad: But we haven’t seen the traction for another investment like Gossip Girl in Second Life quite yet. We’re confident, though, that this will change as the economy picks back up and shows have more advertising dollars to invest.

[18:31] Mike MetaverseModSquad: And that goes for brands in general

[18:31] Mike MetaverseModSquad: The other reason is actually a positive one – and that is there are so many virtual world opportunities other than Second Life.

[18:31] DFox Spitteler is Offline

[18:32] Mike MetaverseModSquad: As our friend Steve Nelson at Clear Ink likes to say, Second Life is the WORST virtual world there is (except for all the others).

[18:32] Mike MetaverseModSquad: But there are a lot more of them now than in the past

[18:32] Mike MetaverseModSquad: And I think I think the Over 18 issue in Second Life is a problem for a lot of brands, and they’re looking elsewhere.

[18:32] Mike MetaverseModSquad: American Idol, for example, just announced a major brand tie-in with Habbo Hotel that looks to be really fun and exciting.

[18:32] Mike MetaverseModSquad: I meant to tell our mods, who are big fans of the show, that David Archuleta will be making an appearance soon in American Idol – Habbo.

[18:33] Mike MetaverseModSquad: So we may have some staffing issues that night

[18:33] Mike MetaverseModSquad: So I think the opportunities will pick up - and the meantime

[18:33] Mike MetaverseModSquad: But as you can imagine, we are not having trouble finding good people to work with us.

[18:34] Mike MetaverseModSquad: There are so many great people online, especially in Second Life, that are terrific and are thrilled to death at the prospect of actually getting paid to work online.

[18:34] Mike MetaverseModSquad: We really hire two types of people.

[18:34] Mike MetaverseModSquad: First are the professional moderators that have experience working in 2D environments like message boards and chat rooms.

[18:34] Zha Ewry rezes and kisses CHes, then greets Cr8tive, Apple, Chester, and Artemis

[18:34] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Hi Zha!

[18:34] cre8tivefemme Chemistry: :)

[18:34] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Second, are the gems we find in the communities we moderate. They love the community and are super fans, and we’ll sign them up if they share the right qualities –

[18:34] Apple MacKay: Nasus should be right back she had a bit of technical difficulty

[18:35] Mike MetaverseModSquad: OK, I should keep going?

[18:35] Apple MacKay: yup

[18:35] Apple MacKay: your fine

[18:35] Mike MetaverseModSquad: ok :)

[18:35] Mike MetaverseModSquad: We're looking for folks who have

[18:35] Nasus Dumart is Online

[18:36] Mike MetaverseModSquad: and a cool demeanor with a knack for community conflict resolution,

[18:36] Mike MetaverseModSquad: fun and engaging personality

[18:36] Nasus Dumart: i cant move

[18:36] Apple MacKay: yhe sim is really lagging it isnt you

[18:36] Traelyn Denimore is Online

[18:36] Mike MetaverseModSquad: it's everyone in SL drinking so much green beer

[18:36] Georgianna Blackburn: lol

[18:36] Nasus Dumart: lol

[18:36] Apple MacKay: :)

[18:37] cre8tivefemme Chemistry: :)

[18:37] Booboobalooba Tsunenaga: that you mom

[18:37] Mike MetaverseModSquad: oh, and of course we need people with

[18:37] cre8tivefemme Chemistry: lol

[18:37] Mike MetaverseModSquad: broadband access

[18:37] MenuBar Memorial is Online

[18:37] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Sooo that's how we're doing our part to staff the metaverse

[18:37] Nasus Dumart: Excellent, Mike!

[18:37] Mike MetaverseModSquad: thanks!

[18:37] Nasus Dumart: :)

[18:37] Nasus Dumart: ♪♫♥ Cheers!! ♥♫♪

[18:38] Nasus Dumart: (big Applause)

[18:38] Georgianna Blackburn: Clap Clap Clap

[18:38] Nasus Dumart: So, if anyone has any questions for Mike, Please ask them

[18:38] Nasus Dumart: or, type them

[18:38] Booboobalooba Tsunenaga: Thank you , I enjoyed it.

[18:38] Nasus Dumart: I think they're typing, Mike

[18:38] cre8tivefemme Chemistry: the people that work for you .. are they paid sl wages or rl ones ?

[18:38] Mike MetaverseModSquad: ok good I turned my sound off

[18:39] Mike MetaverseModSquad: good question

[18:39] Keystone Bouchard is Offline

[18:39] Mike MetaverseModSquad: We work with indepedent contractors

[18:39] Apple MacKay: so Mike do you think once the economy gets back on track the inovation into other markets such as toys or expanding into the television market wil take place or because of the maket downturn to do things more effectively?

[18:39] Mike MetaverseModSquad: they generally make their own hours and can demand their own rate

[18:40] Nasus Dumart: Let's give Mike a chance to answer those two questions

[18:40] Mike MetaverseModSquad: but for our Second Life projects, we do pay some of our folks in Lindens

[18:40] Pandababe Enfield is Online

[18:40] Mike MetaverseModSquad: not all but some

[18:40] cre8tivefemme Chemistry: thank you

[18:40] Nasus Dumart: Mike - read history - Apple had a good question

[18:41] Mike MetaverseModSquad: and answering Apple's question

[18:41] Nasus Dumart: :)

[18:41] Mike MetaverseModSquad: sure

[18:41] Apple MacKay: good answer

[18:41] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Apple, can you rephrase that?

[18:41] Apple MacKay: yeah

[18:42] Apple MacKay: basically do you see more brands trying to leverage the use of VW's during the economic downturn

[18:42] Nasus Dumart hears Jeapordy theme music playing

[18:42] Mike MetaverseModSquad: oh ok got it

[18:42] Apple MacKay: or will they wait till the economy turns around

[18:42] Mike MetaverseModSquad: No, I think we'll need to wait for brands

[18:43] Mike MetaverseModSquad: I think enterprise solutions are ripe for the taking though

[18:43] Crap Mariner is Offline

[18:43] Nasus Dumart: yes - I agree!

[18:43] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Think about the cost differential of a virtual conference

[18:43] Apple MacKay: agreed

[18:43] Mike MetaverseModSquad: training, education, and enterprise are all winners in the recession

[18:43] Crap Mariner is Online

[18:44] Mike MetaverseModSquad: it's brands that have taken a hit because when in trouble, the brands retreat to traditional tried and true advertising techniques (if at all)(

[18:44] Apple MacKay: even still with what is a defacto need for a digital component dont VW's make sense in an ecominc downturn as well

[18:44] Apple MacKay: was my thought

[18:44] Mike MetaverseModSquad: of course!!!

[18:44] Mike MetaverseModSquad: I think that every brand should have a VW element

[18:44] MenuBar Memorial is Offline

[18:44] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Not a silly island of course

[18:44] Nasus Dumart: agreed again

[18:44] DFox Spitteler is Online

[18:44] Mike MetaverseModSquad: But should integrate the brand into an existing community

[18:45] Apple MacKay: even the to market a traaditionally tough sell has seemed to see the need

[18:45] MenuBar Memorial is Online

[18:45] Apple MacKay: *toy

[18:45] Mike MetaverseModSquad: yeah kids world are a huge opportunity

[18:45] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Virtual Worlds are the new Saturday morning cartoons right?

[18:45] Booboobalooba Tsunenaga: I work in the film biz and when things like the possible SAG strike loom reality tv seems to increase. Do you think something like that could open a door for more VW programing?

[18:46] Mike MetaverseModSquad: good question!

[18:46] Nasus Dumart: yeah, Boo! Good one!

[18:46] Mike MetaverseModSquad: unfortunately the last SAG strike arguably killed a few good TV shows that might have been good virtual world properties

[18:46] Mike MetaverseModSquad: haha sorry if you're a union member

[18:46] Nasus Dumart: lol

[18:46] Apple MacKay: you can always license them ;)

[18:46] Courteous Avedon: Does your staff wear uniforms with the Metaverse Mod Squad logo or the logo of the event they are staffing

[18:46] Booboobalooba Tsunenaga: ;)

[18:47] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Hi Courteous, we always dress the part

[18:47] Mike MetaverseModSquad: dictated by the customer

[18:47] Apple MacKay: I hear they are always right

[18:47] Mike MetaverseModSquad: In Gossip Girl, they liked our brand avatars, which are like the cool mods

[18:47] Courteous Avedon: Then does that staff have to purchase the outfit?

[18:47] Mike MetaverseModSquad: haha that's right Apple

[18:47] Mike MetaverseModSquad: But we also do some street team publicity for Cinemax through Electric Sheep

[18:48] JueL Resistance is Offline

[18:48] Nasus Dumart: lol - a day's pay for the outfit!

[18:48] cre8tivefemme Chemistry: Do you do outreach to corporations and not for profits to encourage them to come into VW's ?

[18:48] Apple MacKay: O_o

[18:48] Mike MetaverseModSquad: and to finish the last thought - we'll dress the part of that particular show

[18:49] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Hi cre8tivefemme, certainly we do

[18:49] Mike MetaverseModSquad: outreach to corporations

[18:49] cre8tivefemme Chemistry: :)

[18:49] Mike MetaverseModSquad: we go to a lot of conferences

[18:49] Mike MetaverseModSquad: but to let you in on our marketing strategy

[18:49] Apple MacKay: I think we all evangelize to a cetain extent

[18:49] cre8tivefemme Chemistry: smiles

[18:49] Mike MetaverseModSquad: we figured we can't go to every company in the world and ask them about a virtual world

[18:50] Mike MetaverseModSquad: so we go to the developers and agents who are building them

[18:50] Mike MetaverseModSquad: and hit them up for work!

[18:50] Nasus Dumart: :) Yay!

[18:50] cre8tivefemme Chemistry: ahhh

[18:50] Georgianna Blackburn: lol

[18:50] Mike MetaverseModSquad: :)

[18:50] cre8tivefemme Chemistry: lol

[18:50] Apple MacKay: shhh

[18:50] Nasus Dumart: let's keep that between us

[18:50] Nasus Dumart: lol

[18:50] Mike MetaverseModSquad: hahaha

[18:51] Stormy's Shamrock: Fight me, I'm Irish!

[18:51] Apple MacKay: all kidding aside , do you see your VW business growing or contracting at the moment?

[18:51] Mike MetaverseModSquad: definitely growing

[18:51] Mike MetaverseModSquad: especially in the kids worlds

[18:51] Apple MacKay: while most are contracting... thats a good sign

[18:52] Mike MetaverseModSquad: there's a huge opportunity there because of both the intense competition

[18:52] Mike MetaverseModSquad: they need staffers to give them an edge over other communities

[18:52] Georgianna Blackburn: QUESTION: what kind of rates are being charged?

[18:53] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Well I can't really talk about what we charge our clients

[18:53] Mike MetaverseModSquad: but I can say

[18:53] Mike MetaverseModSquad: we really work hard with clients to work with their budgets

[18:53] Georgianna Blackburn: so it's all negotiable?

[18:53] Mike MetaverseModSquad: If there's a budget, we'll find some way to work it so it's staffed at least some time

[18:54] Jennette Forager is Offline

[18:54] Mike MetaverseModSquad: yes, we're a business to business servicer, so we're certainly willing to negotiate

[18:54] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Haha we've never had a first draft proposal accepted I promise you that

[18:54] Georgianna Blackburn: lol

[18:54] Nasus Dumart: lol

[18:55] Mike MetaverseModSquad: It's hard work but ultimately we're able to handle the details

[18:55] Booboobalooba Tsunenaga: VW unions;(

[18:55] Nasus Dumart: awww, Boo -

[18:55] Nasus Dumart: lol

[18:55] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Hahaha now that sounds like trouble

[18:55] Booboobalooba Tsunenaga: I know

[18:55] Booboobalooba Tsunenaga: it does

[18:55] Nasus Dumart: Ok, last chance for questions as we approach the top of the hour -

[18:55] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Hey if we're in business 10 years from now

[18:56] Booboobalooba Tsunenaga: but when you discuss rates

[18:56] Mike MetaverseModSquad: having to deal with a virtual world employee union?

[18:56] Mike MetaverseModSquad: it will be a good problem to have

[18:56] Nasus Dumart: :)

[18:56] cre8tivefemme Chemistry: does anyone know when the vw's will allow crossing grids ?

[18:56] Nasus Dumart: indeed!

[18:56] Soen Eber: How do you maintain brand identity if your clients impose a dress code and everything is negotiable?

[18:56] Booboobalooba Tsunenaga: I bet in some ways

[18:56] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Good question Soen

[18:56] Apple MacKay: they are secret agents

[18:56] Nasus Dumart: lol

[18:56] Apple MacKay: and thats he brand

[18:56] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Keep in mind, most of our marketing isn't in SL

[18:57] Mike MetaverseModSquad: it's outside SL - on our website, blog, materials, and conferences

[18:57] Katrina Pugilist is Offline

[18:57] Mike MetaverseModSquad: so that's where we build our brand recognition, not really in world

[18:57] Soen Eber: Ah, makes sese

[18:57] Soen Eber: sense

[18:57] Mike MetaverseModSquad: our potential customers aren't here, they're out there

[18:57] Mike MetaverseModSquad: :)

[18:57] Mike MetaverseModSquad: but want to come in

[18:57] Nasus Dumart: :) smart

[18:57] SPERANZA Serevi: Hi Mike, Where do you see your company in five years? Do you see a move towards education? Substitute teaching?

[18:58] cre8tivefemme Chemistry: smiles , hi Mia

[18:58] Katrina Pugilist is Online

[18:58] Mike MetaverseModSquad: You know we've come full circle on that Speranza

[18:58] Mia Kitchensink: ;D

[18:58] Mike MetaverseModSquad: shout out to Speranza, a terrific insurance agent btw

[18:58] SPERANZA Serevi: YEA!

[18:59] Mike MetaverseModSquad: We're really focused on brands and kids

[18:59] Mike MetaverseModSquad: The education stuff doesn't really need a big staffing presence - it just needs teachers and a few teaching assistants

[18:59] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Now we have offered to run a few college campus student unions . . .

[18:59] Mike MetaverseModSquad: no takers yet

[19:00] Soen Eber: Is your market entirely those who have already established a presence in SL, or do you also work to get them into SL?

[19:00] Soen Eber: and if the latter - how do you work around the, um, "issues"/

[19:00] Mike MetaverseModSquad: yeah good question

[19:01] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Honestly when we're lucky enough to pitch to a brand, we're not always pitching SL

[19:01] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Especially if it's a kids market

[19:01] Mike MetaverseModSquad: So when we do, and do think SL is right,

[19:01] Mike MetaverseModSquad: we show them the numbers of us here

[19:01] Mike MetaverseModSquad: and the time spent

[19:01] Mike MetaverseModSquad: and the rich experience we can have here, all at a really minimal cost

[19:02] Apple MacKay: "quality engagement"

[19:02] Nasus Dumart: That's the draw

[19:02] Mike MetaverseModSquad: no doubt

[19:02] Nasus Dumart: ok - so - if any one else has a last question -

[19:02] Nasus Dumart: you have 3 seconds

[19:02] Nasus Dumart: lol

[19:02] Grateful Stryker is Online

[19:02] cre8tivefemme Chemistry: ♪♫♥ Applauds!!! ♥♫♪

[19:02] Apple MacKay: 1 -2 -3

[19:02] Booboobalooba Tsunenaga: that excludes me

[19:02] Mike MetaverseModSquad: lol

[19:02] Nasus Dumart: this Lecture will self destruct in 3

[19:02] Nasus Dumart: 2

[19:02] Nasus Dumart: 1

[19:03] Mike MetaverseModSquad: hahaha

[19:03] Nasus Dumart: lol

[19:03] Mike MetaverseModSquad: is it time for green beer yet?

[19:03] Apple MacKay: Thank you Mike

[19:03] Nasus Dumart: Yes it is!

[19:03] Soen Eber: I wanna watch the explosion :-)

[19:03] Nasus Dumart: ♪♫♥ Cheers!! ♥♫♪

[19:03] Nasus Dumart: thanks Mike

[19:03] SPERANZA Serevi: Thank you!

[19:03] cre8tivefemme Chemistry: thank you MIke and thank you Molaskeys :)

[19:03] Mike MetaverseModSquad: Thanks so much for having me

[19:03] Nasus Dumart: this was a great discussion

[19:03] Booboobalooba Tsunenaga: so your not the guiness guy?

[19:03] Nasus Dumart: (big applause)

[19:03] SPERANZA Serevi: LOL

[19:03] Nasus Dumart: ♪♫♥ Cheers!! ♥♫♪

[19:03] Georgianna Blackburn: Clap Clap Clap

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