Oh I do agree that, for the most part, "the pie is not fixed in stone". However, there are degrees of that. And there is rl comparisons one can make but also the idiosyncrasies of virtual sales.
I do believe that marketing is essential, and it does work...one cannot simply sit back and expect to get customers...whether this is done by signs on real highways or notices in virtual groups, the message needs to be delivered.
There are some limitations, however. In real, it is the marketing budget, and to some degree that is also the case in virtuals, but much less so. Marketing can be done for free in many ways in virtual life.
The limitations and issues with virtuals are that one must either succumb to favoritism by the few who hold the groups authorities, or find ways to cut the purse strings.
This is problematic and I know ppl whop are otherwise good ppl who will curry favors in order to promote their own marketing efforts. I do not agree with this and know there are ways to get around this. Personal networking is VERY important.
As well, the pie is somewhat limited in, for example, closed commercial grids, where competition can be fierce and who you know is very important. Only the very lucky few make any kind of real money and most simply wish they could.
For those lucky few who simply do it for fun and their commercial interests are not necessary, but a nice way to pass the time, that is nice too-))