Hello,
As a long time designer in SL, I've a few tips for you or anyone else starting out.
1) Do what you want to wear. Don't worry about 'all the other people' doing the same thing. They're not. You should and will develop your own style as you work on your clothing lines. As someone else said, quality work shines. I could not find good Victorian clothing four years ago. So I made my own. I did not do it with an eye to cornering the market, I did it because I love the era. Now I do more than Victorian, but it grew out of a love for good clothing and not finding the quality I wanted. Every good designer develops a recognizable style. It's not a thing that can be faked, it's just what happens when you work long and hard on something you love.
2) Don't have Photoshop? Find and use GIMP. It works, it's free, and it does produce quality work. You'll have to use Youtube tutorials to figure it out, but there's lots out there to help you. Find the Chip Midnight templates. They really do work. You don't have to be complicated or invest in pricey programs to put out stunning work.
3) Never, ever dismiss your own efforts. I saw a promising designer who had in her profile that she was just piddling around. That makes me wonder if her work is worth it. She's asking for validation, but that's not the way to do it. If you do not believe in your own work, no one else will either. That doesn't mean get arrogant, but do realize the value of your work. That's a hard thing to do. Don't be afraid to shine brightly with a passion for what you do.
4) If you want this to be a business, then treat it like one. You may not have a brick and mortar shop or store, but it still takes time and hard work to build even a virtual business. Again, if you do not value it, no one else will either. Also realize that there are few overnight successes. There will be good and bad months of sales, and you'll learn the rhythm of the selling seasons. Dead times? January and late summer. Busy times? Mid-October through New Year's Eve.
5) Have fun and do what YOU want to do. As soon as the fun goes out of what you're doing, you're in trouble. Then it becomes a drag of a job, and that's when a lot of designers burn out. Remember, people are buying your clothing because they liked your style. So don't stop midway and switch things up because a customer said, 'oh I'd love that and buy all of them if you'd only do THIS!' Stay true to your own vision and passion at all times. Even if others give you grief about it.
6) Produce steadily. You cannot keep customers or hook new ones if you only put out something once a month. Try for once every couple of weeks, or even weekly if you can. Having said that, don't put out crap. There's enough crap wear on the grid. Always put out what you consider your best. This includes freebies if you do one. Freebies are a whole nother issue in the design community. I limit what I put out, or I'd be constantly doing nothing but free work. Some designers do it monthly to groups, others do it more or less frequently. Freebies can be your calling card to people who do not know your work, but that doesn't mean you need to have a boatload out. Same goes for hunts. Once you're established, you may get all kinds of hunt offers. Be selective.
7) Run your business with honor and ethics. Make sure you are not infringing on IP rights, and be informed on what to do if someone infringes on yours. Treat your customers courteously and reasonably, but don't give them the moon on a platter. Know how to smile from the wrist down when replying to anger or derision, and make sure you get up and away from your computer at regular intervals. It's good exercise and a wonderful way to refresh your creative sources.
Finally, if you do make a success of your business, be proud. There are few that can say they have started and built a business in Second Life and are still around after a year. :-) I hope you will be one of those few.
Good luck!
Kembri Tomsen
The Curious Seamstress