May I humbly suggest to try... the real world, maybe?
I do understand this is just my point of view and it is worth as much as anyone's, yet I really can't get my mind around the concept that almost every game - including a light-hearted, happy, cooperative, kindness-based game as Glitch - end up becoming a "business game". I mean: aren't we overloaded already with real-life business burdens? It was so refreshing to enter Glitch and find a kinder, more humane world to live in if just for a few hours... I am really afraid that this buying-and-selling turn the game has taken will take a lot of soul out of it.
However, I propose another question: "how to create happiness?"
It could be just another expression of gameplay. Trading and selling can be a game if that's what you like. The thing is..towers can be anything, not just storefronts. And by the sounds of it TS has some ides for them coming up I'm sure. In the meantime we can just be happy building our phallic public spaces.
Yeah Ayzad, business and making currants make me happy. ;) I'm also not forcing you to follow my personal gameplay decisions but for those of us who do like towers and making currants, then just a place to share ideas etc is good.
Hah phallic public spaces :D.
Any ideas on how to promote buying even after the major market has gone for towers?
People buy from each other because the stuff that it is fun for me to make and gather differs from the stuff you find it fun to make and gather. So I end up with extra fruit tree beans and boards, but if I want string I would much rather buy it from you or trade you my own stuff.
Yeah, I've been concerned about how moving things into my tower to sell rather than leaving them on the street for people to pick up will change the flavor of the game. But then I had a thought: I can do both. Or, I can put a stupidly low price on the items in my store! Imagine, 1 currant yellow crumb flowers...
Or, I can put a reasonable price on the things, not worry about them selling (they're just there for anyone's convenience, and for looks), and go on with my usual deliveries of wackiness and wonder. My street becomes an orderly place of resources and beauty while I explore Ur and the world of Imagination for new puns.
So, back to the question of how do you generate business?
First, you need something worth buying. The problem in Glitch is that there is no scarcity. Even rare items are somewhat abundant. There's somebody selling everything. And you have to ask yourself, are you trying to earn currants for what you have? Or are you trying to generate a cash flow from the things you harvest? Or are you just trying to give things to others in an orderly way? This will dictate what you sell and how you set your price. And it is the hardest part in business, including in real life.
Then you place your tower where most Glitchen will stumble upon it: Near the sign post on a street that is part of three routes.
Then you advertise! This is where people may get annoyed at you, and I predict more forum topics! But I'm going to make all the suggestions anyway, so people can argue about them here: Leave notes EVERYWHERE. Shout about it in the Trade Channel. Shout about it in the General Discussion Channel, even though the Trade Channel was made so you don't have to do that (don't do this!). Post about it in the forums. Tell everyone you meet in person that you have goods for sale. Take and share snaps of your inventory! Have note poles on your street that let people know your prices. Host parties in your tower. Do really cool things to draw attention to yourself, so that people visit you more often naturally and walk into your tower out of curiosity. Have a GRAND OPENING!
And finally, consider this: Once other Glitchen start buying your things in earnest, you've gotta keep everything well stocked, so you NEVER run out. Otherwise, you'll get the reputation for running out of things. Do you really want to be in business?
My pleasure! Mine is in writing stuff like this. But also, I'm courting the idea of starting my own real life business again, so it all is in the forefront of my mind right now.
Of the things I listed, I think the best stuff includes: Being on three routes, placing your tower conveniently, hosting parties, having a grand opening, placing a menu note pole on your street, advertising new things on the trade channel, and generally being a very cool Glitch so more people come to your street.
The other suggestions are less desirable and may backfire.
Mikki thats true, mine will be a mixture, but business will happen there, but I'm a little confused as to how that contributes to the subject title of this thread ;P?
While I get a bit of a thrill when people buy something from me, I get a lot of fun just from making the items and I like the look of a little shop for my Own enjoyment.
I think it's fabulous advice for any sort of tower activities one might want to have. I don't really plan on making money with my tower (hope to build a note gallery/library, maybe get my machines off my street and make a workshop), but a lot of the advertising advice Carl wrote is super useful just to get Glitchen gathering in their tower.
I do like the idea of having an exhibit space, for artwork, interior design, or for historical items of Ur. If I have a third floor, this is what it will be for. And while even museums have gift shops, gift shops and coffee shops often have gallery space! Just to draw more people...