| The hottest business opportunities are online in | | | | developers, lawyers, accountants, professors, |
| virtual worlds like Second Life. The new internet is | | | | retailers, car makers, dance instructors, wedding |
| 3-D. In the past year it has attracted over 15 | | | | planners--the virtual sky's the limit! |
| million people and had revenues of more than | | | | 3.Follow Your Passion |
| $1billion. Second Life is one of those virtual worlds. | | | | If you want to start something new, do what |
| Research shows It has over 5 million members | | | | you would do for any new venture. First follow |
| and is growing at the rate of almost 30% per | | | | your passion. Start something that excites you |
| month. In just 48 months it created its first | | | | personally. Virtual worlds are particularly friendly to |
| millionaire. Major brands like Coke, Nike, Sears, | | | | dreamers. If you haven't been able to make your |
| Toyota and more have set up shop in Second | | | | dream come true in the real world, the virtual |
| Life. Profits for individual business owners are up | | | | world of business and enterprise offers you a |
| over 25% and an estimated 7,000 entrepreneurs | | | | second chance. |
| are doing a lively business selling everything from | | | | 4. Find a Mentor |
| real estate, to fashion, from furnishings to | | | | Real or virtual one of the best things to do is find |
| jewelry. | | | | a mentor. There are plenty of people already |
| Five ways you can start a virtual business that | | | | active and successful in virtual enterprises. Let |
| generates real money? | | | | them be your guides to setting up and |
| 1. Get Oriented | | | | successfully launching your new business. |
| Spend a little time on the internet researching | | | | 5. Enjoy and Become Part of Your New World |
| virtual worlds in general and Second Life in | | | | Virtual worlds are different. The residents have |
| particular | | | | their own special needs, profiles, likes and dislikes. |
| It is important to familiarize yourself with the | | | | Like any new market take time to learn about |
| "look" and the "feel" of this new and exciting | | | | the world you are about to invest your time and |
| marketplace. | | | | money in. Virtual enterprises do best when they |
| 2. Open a virtual branch | | | | offer real value to their virtual customers. Offer |
| If you already have a business consider opening a | | | | lots of real benefits. Try hosting an interesting and |
| "virtual" branch. You will find thousands of new | | | | valuable event. Become part of the community. |
| customers and bring a new vitality to your | | | | After all if you were opening a new business in an |
| present venture. Second Life for example has | | | | unfamiliar country you would do the same thing. |
| fashion and jewelry designers, real estate | | | | |