The introduction of the Metaverse is an exciting time for brands — they now have the means to provide digital marketing experiences that go beyond the boundaries set by traditional screens.
This article will explore:
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The six ways the Metaverse will reshape and revolutionize a brand’s digital marketing strategy and marketing efforts.
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Five considerations brands need to make when creating Metaverse-led digital experiences.
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What it means to be in the Metaverse.
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The future of the Metaverse
What is the Metaverse?
The Metaverse is a 3D virtual world where people don’t just view content; they interact with it in real time. People who use the Metaverse feel like they’re inside a digital world (like a video game).
They can meet and interact with other people and perform various activities as they would in real life, such as:
- Attending virtual classes, training sessions, or workshops
- Designing and constructing virtual spaces and objects.
- Join virtual fitness classes or wellness sessions.
- Buy, sell, or rent virtual properties and spaces.
- Socializing and networking
- Shopping and commerce
- Attending virtual events.
- Exploring virtual worlds.
- Gaming
Naturally, industries are becoming privy to the Metaverse’s commercial potential and have begun pouring resources into it.
Marketing has been one of the early adopters — image source.
Marketing has been quick to react and is the fourth-highest investor. So, how can marketing teams use the Metaverse? Here are six possible applications.
Product Showcases
How frustrating must it be for someone trying to buy a pair of shoes or a jumper on 2D sites as they find themselves unable to determine whether the fit is correct or whether the quality meets their standards?
In the Metaverse, brands can create 3D representations of their products. Customers can examine products from every angle, understand their features in a highly interactive environment, and even see how these products would fit into their lives.
It takes selling online and online customer experience to a new level. There’s a far lower chance of costly refunds and returns when customers can access products with a higher level of real-life representation.
Henry Meds is a promising example of how telehealth companies leverage the Metaverse to create immersive and engaging experiences for their customers in the context of digital marketing experiences.
Their product, Tirzepatide, is an active pharmaceutical ingredient used in Mounjaro, a medication that’s helping thousands of people lose and maintain weight in combination with diet and exercise. By leveraging the Metaverse, pharmaceutical companies like Henry Meds can create interactive experiences that educate customers about their products and services in a fun and engaging way.
The Metaverse is a virtual space that brings people, companies, and products together in both digital and real environments to create new economic opportunities. Another great example is the auto industry.
Imagine if a car manufacturer could offer potential customers a virtual test drive. It helps the customer understand the product without having to journey to the showroom. Customers can personalize the virtual test drive and choose the weather and other conditions to understand whether the car fits their purpose.
Virtual Events and Launches
Product launches, conferences, and events are accessible from anywhere in the Metaverse, regardless of abilities, practically eliminating accessibility barriers.
If the Metaverse were fleshed out in the way it is today, back in 2007 when Steve Jobs launched the iPhone, he’d have been able to invite as many people as he wanted to try the phone for themselves rather than demonstrating on a stage on his own.
People would have attended from anywhere in the world, had interactive discussions, and networked in real-time.
Metaverse events smash through geographic barriers.
Social Media in the Metaverse
Social media platforms work a treat in helping brands raise awareness of their activities in the Metaverse.
Whether a brand hosts a virtual event or a product launch, they can include direct sharing to social media options within the Metaverse. Users could post screenshots, pre-recorded videos, or live streams of their Metaverse experiences.
This directly leverages the power of social proof. If a brand says it’s great, people might not listen. But if fellow users talk highly of the brand, it gives others more reason to follow suit.
This makes it easier for a brand to execute its user-generated content strategy.
Storytelling in the Metaverse
Traditional stories include one storyteller, who has complete control of the narrative, delivering the story to multiple listeners — like an ‘about us’ section on the website.
Things are different in the Metaverse. Brands can craft narrative-driven experiences where users actively participate in a story that unfolds around the brand’s values, history, or products.
For instance, a brand could create a virtual journey that takes users through its evolution, with interactive elements that tell the story of how a product was developed or the brand’s impact on the community and its sustainability efforts.
It’s no longer about conveying information. It’s like creating a movie — a memorable experience that connects users emotionally.
Personalization and Customization
Customers feel valued when they feel like a product has been made just for them. It’s common for 2D digital marketing campaigns to offer some level of customization. Yet, the Metaverse gets the user involved in not only picking their customization but designing it themselves in real time.
For example, a footwear brand could allow customers to design their shoes, selecting everything from color to pattern. This level of customization is more interactive and immersive in the Metaverse, as customers can see their creations take shape in 3D and even virtually try them on.
Similarly, a beverage brand could allow users to create custom-flavored drinks, selecting ingredients and proportions in a virtual mixology session. This experience is more engaging than simply choosing options from a website, as users can experiment and see their concoctions come to life.
When a customer feels deeply involved, it creates a long-lasting connection with the brand.
Augmented Reality Integrations
Integrating augmented reality (AR) provides a unique way for brands to mimic real-world interactions side the Metaverse.
For instance, a furniture brand could use AR in the Metaverse to let customers visualize how a piece of furniture would look in their actual living space. Users would select a product in the virtual store and use AR to place a 3D model of it in their room, viewed through their device’s camera.
This integration isn’t a marketing gimmick — it provides customers with practical value that helps them make informed purchasing decisions.
Gaming and Entertainment
The evolution of PC games offers a clear example of how immersive and interactive digital environments have paved the way for the Metaverse. These games, known for their advanced graphics and engaging storylines, have set a high standard for what users expect in digital experiences.
Their influence extends beyond entertainment, providing critical insights into creating captivating virtual worlds. This makes them an integral part of the narrative as we explore the future of digital marketing in the Metaverse, where the lines between gaming and marketing increasingly blur.
Five Considerations before Entering the Metaverse
When a brand considers adding the Metaverse to its marketing suite, there are several considerations to remember.
1. Defining the Objectives
The success of the Metaverse depends greatly on a brand’s strategic approach to using it. Start by defining the objectives — whether that’s increasing brand awareness or boosting sales.
2. Understand the Audience
To create a successful Metaverse customer journey, a brand must be familiar with its audience demographics, interests, values, and beliefs because these will inform the specific digital experience a brand wants to create. AR and VR are in their infancy — so it might not be the right fit. Don’t jump in for the sake of it.
3. Choosing the Right Metaverse Platform
There are numerous Metaverse applications to choose from. Each platform has unique features and selling points and is made for different uses and demographics. Thoroughly understand each one before investing.
4. Develop Technical Expertise and Infrastructure
Brands will need to hire Metaverse pros or invest in training for their existing team to get up to speed with how it works to make the best use of it. The Metaverse differs from anything we’ve seen before, so the integration (from a hardware and personnel perspective) may take some time, depending on a brand’s resources.
5. Think about Integration
A brand’s Metaverse activities can’t exist independently of its social media, content, email, and other marketing activities, including paid media like Google ads — because that will lead to a disjointed customer experience. Work on existing digital channels needs to align with the Metaverse.
The Future of the Metaverse
It might be too early to think about the future of the Metaverse, given that it’s still in its infancy. In fact, up until Facebook rebranded to Meta in October 2021, many probably hadn’t heard of the term.
But it’s promising to pick up. As of 2024, it has 600 million active users, with experts predicting a peak within the next five years.
That means brands are still in that early adoption window, with a chance to capitalize and steal a march on competitors.
As with any new technological development, the Metaverse doesn’t come without its challenges. Concerns about privacy and data collection will loom and potentially require the introduction of and/or amendments to existing legislation.
There’s also the worry of addiction and mental health concerns — should people get addicted to living in a virtual world and no longer want to live in the real world.
Wrapping Up
It’s clear that the Metaverse offers unprecedented opportunities for marketing teams. Brand can literally immerse their users in fun and personalized experiences, taking ordinary things like product launches, to new heights.
With that being said, venturing into the Metaverse requires careful consideration and strategic planning. Brands must define clear objectives, understand how they can serve their audience in this new world safely and effectively.
Author Bio
Guillaume is a digital marketer focusing on content management at Wordable and Digital PR at uSERP. Outside of work, he enjoys his life in sunny Mexico, reading books, wandering around and catching the latest shows on TV.
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