1. Get them to try your product

Through their avatars, people can touch and use your simulated product in ways that are impossible on the 2-D web. Witness avatars carrying and using Motorola Razr phones they pull out to indicate they are on real life phone calls and unavailable for chat.

I recommend: Take a look at this page of photos showing how businesses market in Second Life. To pick out just one example, at Cisco people can walk around a virtual "connected house" and play with everything from rotating picture frames to the networked security system.

2. Bond with your customers

Be aware that people develop a strong emotional sense that their avatars represents them.

I recommend: If the avatar is using your brand of computer, driving your car or wearing your clothes, expect the person behind the avatar to check out your real, actual product.

3. Make a splash

Second Life is hot. Just having a business presence in Second Life is apt to generate some press even if you don't do much to promote it. And if you DO make an effort, you may end up in the Wall Street Journal or Forbes.

I recommend: Check out the Second Life web site for examples.

4. Cheap and effective advertising

Many people who ignore traditional advertising and Internet banner ads carefully check out stores and displays in Second Life. Buildings filled with products, videos, and information at IBM and Cisco are destination sites people are exploring.

I recommend: Circuit City and Sears, located on one of the IBM sims, are good examples as is the technology featured at Sun Microsystems.

5. Sell

Consider selling products within Second Life as well as marketing your real world products. One could argue that someone who has already spent a little money with you in Second Life is more likely to buy from you in the real world. Also, all those $2 sales might pay for your virtual world marketing.

I recommend: In addition to selling virtual phones,  Telus offers customers about $60 U.S. worth of Second Life money for signing up for a "cool real life phone."  Toyota sells Second Life cars.

6. Educate or point them to your web site

Click on products at most Second Life corporate locations and you will be given a note card detailing the benefits and features of the product or sent to a web site that does the same. You can also demonstrate your product or service visually and interactively, the key strength of Second Life.

I recommend: Tour the Uitvaart mortuary and learn about each step of the burial process by visiting a funereal urn room, a body preparation room, a viewing area, a funeral service room and more.  Yes, there are even bodies laid out!

7. Interact directly with your customers

Second Life gives you an opportunity for your sales people to meet with and discuss products with prospective customers, to conduct seminars and to give demonstrations. It is much more personal and hands-on than "Live Help" buttons which are only instant messaging without interactive visuals.

I recommend: Check out the IBM Executive Briefing Center in Second Life for a great example.

8. Conduct meetings

More and more, companies are turning to Second Life for meetings of far-flung employees. The 3-D visuals and opportunities for interaction far surpass a typical webinar.

I recommend: Dell, IBM and Cisco all have conference centers, and conference facilities are available for rent in Second Life.

9. Recruit and interview employees

If you have a farflung organization and want to add a personal touch to the recruiting process, consider Second Life.

I recommend: IBM has entire buildings devoted to recruiting.