Second Life Wiki - User contributions [en]

How to Earn Linden Dollars in Second Life

2015-09-27T21:57:05Z

Kabalyero Kidd: /* Articles */

{{KBcaution|The majority of this wiki's content (like SL itself) is Resident-created and while it may be helpful, Linden Labs won't vouch for its accuracy. For official documentation, see the '''[http://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/tkb-p/English_KB%40tkb Second Life Knowledge Base]'''.}}

[[File:lindenrealms.png|frame|alt=linden realms|The [http://secondlife.com/destinations/realms Linden Realms] are a great way to earn linden while having fun exploring some beautiful fantasy sims.]]

[[File:goldhunt.png|frame|alt=gold hunt|The [http://www.goldtokens.net/games/gold-hunt Gold Hunt] game allows you to earn linden by searching for coins around the grid. It's a great way to explore the grid and take you to new places.]]
[[File:fishhunt.png|frame|alt=fish hunt|The [http://www.goldtokens.net/games/fish-hunt Fish Hunt] game is a great way to meet other players and compete. It's also really popular with players with disabilities as its very easy to play.]]
[[File:moneytrees.png|frame|alt=money trees|[http://moneytree.wolfhavenproductions.com Money Trees] are a great way for new players to earn linden by picking linden from trees around the grid. Older players aren't allowed to use Money Trees.]]

[[File:Gold Piggy 400x300.png|frame|alt=Gold Piggy Hunters|[http://www.goldpiggyhunters.co.uk/goldpiggyhunters/locations.aspx Gold Piggy Hunters] Earn Free Lindens by clicking the gold piggy and teleporting around visiting locations.]]

[[File:fishing_bikini.png|399px|frame|alt=Fish Hunt| [http://www.goldtokens.net/games/fish-hunt Fish Hunt] game is by far the biggest and most successful fishing game with thousands of active players that earn L$ by fishing.]]

[[File:capexhq.png|frame|alt=capital exchange|The [http://www.slcapex.com/ Capital Exchange] allows you to invest and speculate on virtual companies in Second Life.]]
[[File:sploders.png|frame|alt=sploders|Sploders are a way of earning small amounts of linden when out at a club or party. They are a good way to meet other players and get chatting.]]

Second Life is full of opportunities to earn Linden Dollars, but it is also important to [https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/How_to_Have_Fun_in_Second_Life have fun] while earning. Some players make the mistake of thinking that they have to do something they don't enjoy to make money in Second Life. That's simply is not the case.

Sometimes it can feel overwhelmingly challenging to earn linden in Second Life, but with the right information to hand and some ample determination you can make money.

= Get Paid a Weekly Stipend =

Players who upgrade their account to be a [http://secondlife.com/premium/ Premium Account] are paid a stipend to their account on a weekly basis.

= Buy Linden on the LindeX =

You can buy linden whenever you want on the [https://secondlife.com/my/lindex/market.php LindeX] exchange. However, there are [https://secondlife.com/my/lindex/describe-limits.php billing and trading] limits.

= Earn Linden Playing Fun Games =

== ADS Goldtokens Gaming Network ==

The following games are run by ADS, the leader in earning linden games. The [http://www.goldtokens.net Goldtokens.net] Gaming Network was a community created by [http://www.secondads.com/ SecondAds] company with the goal of helping new players earn their first linden dollars. It's not just for new players though. Thousands of experienced players enjoy competing for leaderboard positions and earning large sums of linden in the process.

'''Gold Hunt'''

The [http://www.goldtokens.net/games/gold-hunt Gold Hunt] allows players to earn linden and win random gifts by hunting for coins and gems that are hidden by landowners. There are literally 1,000s of lands with coins available right across the grid, which can be discovered by using the player HUD.

'''Fish Hunt'''

The [http://www.goldtokens.net/games/fish-hunt Fish Hunt] allows players to earn Linden and win Random Gifts by fishing. There are literally 1,000s of lands with fish buoys available right across the grid, which can be discovered by using the player HUD. You'll also need to get a free beginner fishing rod too.

'''Farm Frenzy'''

[http://www.goldtokens.net/games/farm-frenzy Farm Frenzy] gives land owners the opportunity to earn linden by farming worms for use in the [http://www.goldtokens.net/games/fish-hunt Fish Hunt]. It takes time to develop your Farming Experience, but eventually you'll be able to dominate the farming industry and sell your produce to the masses. Fortunes have been made in the farming industry!

'''Kingdoms&Empires'''

The [http://www.kingdomsandempires.com KingdomsAndEmpires.com] is a new web browser strategy and trading game developed by ADS. Its theme is medieval. Players can grow wheat and mine for iron ore to produce wheat and iron ore that they can trade and use to build a stronghold out of their settlement. Players can get free materials every day by logging into K&E site and collecting their taxes. While playing players gain K&E points which are converted to L$ earnings daily.

'''Noob Hunt'''

The [http://www.goldtokens.net Noob Hunt] is an affiliate recruitment scheme for the Goldtokens.net gaming network which allows players to become masters and recruit apprentices for the various games hosted on the network. In return they earn a percentage of each of their apprentices' winnings. You can also sell your apprentices to other masters on the exchange.

== Bletaverse ==

[http://bletaverse.com/ Bletaverse] company have a number of ways of earning linden such as waiting at traffic cones and they also run a social network that players can get involved in.

== Dragons & Princesses ==

The [http://www.dragons.sl/docs/Index Dragons & Princesses] is a cool game developed by [http://www.e2l-net.com/ Earn2Life] company that allows you to earn linden by hunting for voids on different lands around Second Life.

== Linden Realms ==

The [http://secondlife.com/destinations/realms Linden Realms] were created by Linden Lab and are designed with a beautiful environment that has trees, cliffs, and lots of fun places to explore. You can use a teleporter to visit different areas of the Linden Realms. Each place has different quests and other activities that are fun and exciting to do. There are rock monsters that you will have to run away from and pools of toxic water to avoid.

== Money Trees ==

[http://moneytree.wolfhavenproductions.com Money Trees] were created by [http://wolfhavenproductions.com Wolfhaven Productions] and allow players to earn linden by plucking dollar bills and other game items from trees that are planted in sims all around the grid. There is a HUD you can wear to tell you where to find new trees. However, many trees are age-limited, so only very new players can use them.

== Gold Piggy Hunters ==

[http://www.goldpiggyhunters.co.uk/goldpiggyhunters/locations.aspx Gold Piggy Hunters] was created by Kaitlin Rayna. Earn Free Lindens by clicking the gold piggy and teleporting around visiting locations. Click the gold piggy and wait 5 minutes then get paid 1 L$. Owners pay a total of 2 L$ one to the visitor and one to the creator per person per click. Owners increase their traffic by getting visitors to visit their lands and visitors get paid 1 L$ just for visiting.

= Earn Linden Working a Job =

A large proportion of players have some form of [https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Guide_to_Jobs_in_Second_Life Second Life Job] as a means to earn linden. This can be a rewarding way to earn linden and if you have the right ideas you can even become an entrepreneur and start your own business.

= Activity Devices =

There are a wide range of devices that allow you to make money via certain activities. In the order of decreasing interactivity these are:

== Skill Games ==

There are a wide range of skill game machines where Linden can be earned. While these games may resemble real-world casino game machines, they should all comply with {{LLOlink|Policy Regarding Wagering in Second Life|Wagering policy}} and {{LLOlink|Skill Game Compliance}}.

== Chatting ==

There are a wide range of Chat Sploders such as the ever popular [http://www.secondads.com/chatsploder.php Chatsploder Network] available in various clubs and other areas. These allow you to earn linden by waiting for the 'explosion' which may take quite some time. In the mean time you can chat and make new friends.

== Lotteries ==

These are devices where players first make contributions to an aggregated pot. Once the pot exceeds a threshold, a countdown to an 'explosion' begins (such as 3 mins) during which further contributions are typically still accepted. At the 'explosion' the pot is randomly distributed between contributors.
UPDATE: Be aware of LL's wagering policies as paying to win on a game of chance such as a sploder or lottery can be interpreted as a violation.
There are free sploders which are used to generate traffic that cost nothing to play which are legal. {{LLOlink|Policy Regarding Wagering in Second Life|Wagering policy}} and {{LLOlink|Skill Game Compliance}}.

== Camping ==

These allow you to earn Linden or prizes for camping, e.g. sitting chairs or touch Sploders, which you have to touch to begin a countdown to an 'explosion' at the end of which a landowner's pot of money is randomly distributed between touchers. Some of these devices have you earn Linden, others have you earning other things such as new skins, clothes or other virtual game items. All you have to do touch them or sit on them, then continue camping on them (or reasonably close to some others) for the required amount of time to earn your prize. While some opine it is the least fun way to earn Linden ever invented due to lack of interaction with these devices during the camping time, others argue that it is just as much fun as any other activity, because while camping you are still free to chat and make new friends. A further advantage is that it is a relatively simpler way that does not require much time or physical input, and is therefore quite suitable for people with disabilities.

== Area Camping ==

These are similar to camping devices above, except that you simply need to be present on the land within a certain proximity of the device for the required amount of time to earn your prize, which is typically awarded to a resident chosen at random. These include Random Money Givers, and sometimes require that you become a member of the group owning the land, or add the land to the list of your SL Picks in order to be considered for an award.

= Completing Surveys, Surfing Sites & Web Offers =

It is possible to earn linden by completing surveys, surfing websites or filling web offers. Unfortunately this can be very haphazard and you may not receive payment if you don't fit the demographic that the company is looking for.

= Investing =

If you have some capital to invest you can simply invest in one of the companies listed on the [http://www.slcapex.com/ Capital Exchange] and then hope to earn dividends over time. You can either try to earn Linden by making a long term investment, or you can speculate on daily market movements.

= External Articles & Sites=

Please share your external sites and articles here with information on how to earn linden dollars in Second Life here:

== Sites ==
* [http://bletaverse.com/ Bletaverse] - Earn linden while exploring SL without having to make an investment.
* [http://www.e2l-net.com/ Earn2life] - Earn linden on earning programs
* [http://www.goldtokens.net/games/gold-hunt Gold Hunt] - Earn linden hunting for coins
* [http://www.goldtokens.net/games/fish-hunt Fish Hunt] - Earn linden by fishing
* [http://www.goldtokens.net Goldtokens] - Earn linden playing fun games
* [http://www.kingdomsandempires.com/ Kingdoms&Empires] - Earn linden with strategy and trading.
* [http://www.thesecondfar.com/ The Second Farm] - Earn linden Hunting Magic Crystals.
* [http://wolfhavenproductions.com Wolfhaven Productions] - The creators of money trees
* [http://www.goldpiggyhunters.co.uk/goldpiggyhunters/locations.aspx Gold Piggy Hunters] - Earn Free Lindens by clicking the Gold Piggy and teleporting around visiting locations

== Articles ==

* [http://www.goldtokens.net/blogs/110/10-ways-to-earn-linden-in-second-life 10 Ways to Earn Linden in Second Life] - 10 ways to Earn Linden in Second Life
* [http://www.chickjunk.com/make-money-in-second-life/ How to Make Money In Second Life] - How to get started and earn linden in Second Life
* [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyICARNoME3-P0dVwgb7W7Y-_cozsywNy How To Earn Linden Dollars?] - A playlist of YouTube videos showing newbies how to earn Linden Dollars in Second Life
* [http://personalweb.about.com/od/virtualworlds/a/sl_makemoney.htm Make Money in Second Life] - A good list of methods to earn money

Making money

2010-11-20T03:14:34Z

Kabalyero Kidd: /* Blogs */

{{help|Misc=*}}

This page includes a '''helpful compilation of ''unofficial'' guides about HOW TO MAKE MONEY IN SECOND LIFE'''.

Got your attention? Great...

<font color="red">'''THE USUAL DISCLAIMER:'''</font> like "real life", there are more opportunities than can possibly be summarized. There's no such thing as a single formula that works for everyone, but certainly actions worth doing and learning from. Also, unless otherwise stated, these resources are ''not'' approved by Linden Lab. We can't guarantee they'll work for your personal experiences and aren't responsible for any risks — if you have success, great! Be sure to thank the guide author(s), and consider sharing your own tips.

Please improve this page with guides you've ''actually'' found useful, but ''don't'' add any spams/scams/splogs or vague lists without applicable advice; they aren't welcome.

== Ways to make Linden Dollars ==
'''The Linden Dollar (L$) is Second Life's currency.''' Real-life money can be exchanged for L$ (keep reading!).

Here are some of the more popular (not the only) ways to make L$ in Second Life:

* '''Receive your weekly [http://secondlife.com/whatis/plans.php Premium Account] stipend''' - [http://support.secondlife.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=4417&task=knowledge&questionID=4076 Learn more]
* '''Buy L$ on [[Make_money#LindeX|LindeX]]'''
* '''Get a job''' - A diverse variety is available, and includes:
** '''Buy and sell land''' - Virtual real estate
** '''Create and sell content''' - Clothing, gadgets, etc.
** '''Participate in referrer/affiliate programs''' - Verify they're legit
** '''Host and perform at events''' - Gameshows, rock concerts, etc.
** '''Sell information''' - Write/proofread manuals, provide consulting, teach classes — Torley did this
* '''Win prizes at events''' - By playing a game, luck, etc.
* '''Fill out surveys''' - Verify they're legit
* '''Sit on camping chairs''' (generally, a [[Sletiquette#What_about_camping_chairs.3F|slow, ineffective, and likely net-loss process]])

In short, the breadth and depth of options is comparable to your first life. Perhaps even greater, because many things, like the cost of construction materials, are cheaper (prims are free!) in Second Life. A wise general principle: '''look for unmet wants & needs and fulfill them!''' If you do or learn valuable skills in real life, you may be able to profit from them here, since your abilities are transferable, e.g., if you're an art student, start sketching clothes.

In addition, more well-established "real-world" companies like some of our [http://secondlifegrid.net/programs/solpro Solution Providers] are hiring for positions in Second Life. Roles like Community Manager, Virtual World Evangelist, and others are becoming more popular. Keep your eyes out for jobs that leverage Second Life's unique opportunities, and be aware that the skills you learn inworld could be useful outside of SL, too.

And remember: '''Second Life, like soylent green, is made of people'''. '''''REAL PEOPLE!!!!'''''

== [http://secondlife.com/whatis/economy-market.php LindeX] ==
If you don't want to get a job but do want acquire L$, you can use the '''[http://secondlife.com/whatis/economy-market.php LindeX currency exchange]''' to exchange real (like US$) currency for Linden dollars (L$). This can make it a lot quicker to get (land, goods) what you want. Please notice that there are certain [http://secondlife.com/currency/describe-limits.php billing and trading limits].

I've (Torley) noticed this seems un-obvious to some newcomers, so I'm pointing it out for your benefit.

== Guides ==
Start with our Knowledge Base's "'''[[Guide to Jobs in Second Life]]'''" and move on to these Resident-created guides:

=== Articles ===
* 2008-06-27 - "'''[http://robmyers.org/weblog/2008/06/27/how-to-make-money-in-second-life-without-being-an-ip-maximalist/ How To Make Money In Second Life Without Being An IP Maximalist]'''" - By Rob Myers. Explores intriguing, lesser-discussed notions and talks about the flipside of control-freak product distribution.

* 2007-11-27 - "'''[http://www.doughroller.net/2007/11/27/how-to-earn-a-second-income-in-your-second-life/ How to make money in the virtual world of second life]'''" - By DoughRoller. Well-illustrated and neatly laid-out.

=== Blogs ===
If the name [http://johnchow.com/ John Chow] excites you and you're interested in affiliate/referral programs, see:

* '''[http://earnlindendollars.soulphoniks.com/ Second Life Earn Linden Dollars - Affiliate Program]''' - By TrajicK Chaplin.
* '''[http://www.in2ndlife.com/category/earn-linden-dollars/ Kabalyero's Earn Linden Dollars]''' - By Kabalyero Kidd.
* '''[http://www.chinoyray.com/ Chino Yray]''' - By Chino Yalin.

=== Books ===
There are also [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/?index=blended&field-keywords=second%20life%20money books about SL moneymaking on Amazon.com] — read the reviews & previews and make an informed decision.

== Q&A ==
=== How do I get a job and earn money in Second Life? ===
Unless the human behind your avatar is seeking substantial work, you don't ''need'' a job in Second Life. Work in SL is a personal question of your professional aspirations.

Your Second Life should be enjoyable. Like first life, slaving away at a job is ''not'' fun.

Making money (earning L$ which can be exchanged for real cash) should ''never'' be the sole reason why you want a job. ''Do it for the experience!'' For example, if you're hosting events, you can make new friends and visit cool new builds.

Explore the world, go on adventures, and intuitively followup on what you especially delight in!

The money is nice, yes, but never the only thing that matters.

That's true of both serious full-time (i.e., corporate) jobs in SL and occupations that are taken up for fun.

=== What about games? ===
Second Life ''contains'' games. However, to call it a game on the whole is as inaccurate as saying "the rainbow is red".

Most of the skills you learn in Second Life are real. For example, to usually build a house, you don't just click a button and watch your avatar auto-construct a dwelling. Rather, you use [[prim|prims]] to assemble it piece by piece. There ''are'' tools which make building easier, but the point is: you aren't artificially "leveling up".

Some Residents have created gaming experiences, such as [http://www.reztown.com/index.asp RezTown], that are similar to other environments like ''The Sims'' and ''World of Warcraft''. If you're familiar with those, then you may find comfort in those activities. And when you're ready to expand, you can explore far beyond that — it's a testament to the possibilities of your Second Life.

=== Are there scams? ===
Yes, people's first-life greed bleeds into SL too.

''DON'T'' grant permissions to suspicious objects (a yellow dialog box comes up warning you beforehand).

''DON'T'' get swindled by get-rich-quick schemes. Like the old saying goes, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

''DON'T'' give out your password if someone promises they'll login and fill your account with L$. That's just dumb!

For more tips, see "'''[http://support.secondlife.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=4417&task=knowledge&questionID=4557 Safeguarding your account and protecting your password]'''".

== Myths ==
=== Stuff is so expensive ===
''Be specific.'' There are 1,000s of freebies, some of them extremely high-quality. Infact, "free" is one of the most popular search terms. So search around, and you know what? Compile a list and share it around, that'll win you good vibe points. Even better, learn to create stuff to fulfill your needs. Need help? Feel the warmth of a [[Volunteer_Portal|Volunteer helper]]!

Pursue related opportunities. I <3 when Second Life blogs report on inworld deals, but haven't seen a dedicated "SL deals" site yet. Perhaps you should examine the success of real-world sites like [http://dealnews.com/index.html?sort=hotness&view=large Dealnews] and [http://dealspl.us/ DealsPlus]. (BTW, they're excellent ways to save money on computer parts, something to think about for a better Second Life experience.)

Also: consider helping creators beta-test products. This can be a good way for you to get stuff for free, or even some L$ if they're offering a job you both agree to. Don't count on it tho, and don't be a moocher — lazy beggars suck in all lives.

Generally, many products are at a fair price, and paying for them is a righteous way to compensate the creator for their time & energy. Even better, if you buy something you enjoy, send them a personal "Thank-you!" and let them know ''specifically'' what delighted you.

=== It's too hard to do anything ===
Only if you don't trust yourself. Without hands-on experience, you'll never know. So dive in!

I doubted my building abilities early on when I shouldn't have. I kept saying "I can't build!" without doing so. By applying myself each day, I eventually was able to teach 1,000s of Residents how to build. Second Life opened me up to many creative possibilities that had been untapped before. But like I said, don't go for the L$ alone. "Wealth" in healthy lives goes far beyond money (and can indeed, help you make more money!).

What you're willing to do says a lot about you.