SecondLife - How To Make Money In Second Life

A few weeks ago, Erica and Sam Driver at ThinkBalm, an industry analyst and strategy consulting firm focused exclusively on the Immersive Internet, published a 36-page groundbreaking report entitled, “ThinkBalm Immersive Internet Business Value Study, Q2 2009.” (In the spirit of full disclosure: Linden Lab was the gold sponsor of the report. Other sponsors include: Qwaq, Forterra Systems, Atadyn, Proton Media, and Tandem Learning.) You’ve probably already heard about it, but it may still be in your “To Read When I Catch my Breath,” file. You have a few minutes now if you’re reading this blog post, but you don’t really want to open that scary folder. I get it. So, here’s a much more interesting option….

Today, Sam and Erica Driver unveiled the ThinkBalm Data Garden on their blog. When you teleport to the region, you’re led along a path—a journey—that visualizes the study findings in engaging and interactive ways. According to the ThinkBalm blog post today, “The ThinkBalm Data Garden was designed as a proof of concept for the next-generation ‘webinar.’” Interesting idea!

Although the experience on ThinkBalm Island is thoughtfully laid out, beautifully designed, and skillfully created, don’t lose sight of the actual findings. Why? Erica and Sam have created a report that has a rock solid methodology with stunning findings, particularly in light of today’s economic climate. Let me highlight a few that really struck me:

• More than 40% of those surveyed (26 of 66) saw a positive total economic benefit from investments in immersive technologies in 2008 and 1Q 2009. More than 50% of respondents (34 of 65) expect to obtain a positive total economic benefit in 2009. The number of respondents who expect to obtain economic benefit of $25,000 USD or more in 2009 is more than double the number who indicated they achieved this level for 2008 / 1Q 2009.
• One third of respondents (22 of 66) said their project data shows success. Another 61% of respondents (40 of 66) said the project “feels like” a success, for a total of 94% of respondents.
• Over a third of those surveyed (23 of 64) said their organization will definitely expand investment in immersive technology in 2009 and 2010, and another 38% (24 of 64) indicated that they might expand their investment.

Sounds like just the kind of report that would help Immersive Internet champions convince peers and upper management that virtual worlds create real business value and economic benefit. In fact, many companies are increasing their invest in this technology, despite slow downs in most other IT sectors.

So, if reading the full report isn’t in the cards today, then take some time to enjoy a peaceful and informative stroll through the blooms in ThinkBalm’s garden while the data is fresh (Direct Slurl).