How to Get Into the Metaverse with Marketing
The metaverse is a pretty hot buzzword these days. Which means it gets thrown around a lot — and is very rarely explained in a clear and concise way. It feels a little like Doc Brown attempting to explain how he made time travel possible to Marty McFly. (And yes, we’re fully aware that Back to the Future is loaded with plot holes and inconsistencies. It’s a classic, okay?)
But you’re here because you’ve caught glimpses of the metaverse and what it’s capable of. It’s exciting! And it has many implications for marketing your business and selling your product. So we’ll explain how to get into the metaverse with marketing below . . . without having to speed up to 88 mph.
What Is the Metaverse?
In the simplest terms, the metaverse is a digital world that exists parallel to our own. It’s a place where people can gather, interact, and create. And it’s not just one world — there are many different metaverses, each with their own communities, rules, and norms. In fact, it is expanding at a rapid pace as we speak.
The easiest way to think about the metaverse may be to picture it as a 3D version of the Internet. Virtual reality, augmented reality, and extended reality all offer “gateways” into this digital world.
The metaverse is also big money. Bloomberg estimates that Metaverse-related exchange-traded funds will go as high as $80 billion by 2024. You can bet investors are taking notice.
And the metaverse already surrounds us today. Some popular examples include:
- Second Life: One of the first and most well-known metaverses, Second Life is a virtual world that launched in 2003. Second Life is unique in that it’s entirely user-created — everything from the landscape to the buildings to the avatar clothing is designed by users.
- Minecraft: Another early example of the metaverse, this game is hugely popular with kids and adults alike. In Minecraft, players can explore, build, and craft in a 3D world.
- Animal Crossing: A more recent example, Animal Crossing is a life simulation game that allows players to interact with cute anthropomorphic animals. It’s also been adapted for augmented reality, meaning you can place furniture and other items from the game into the real world using your phone or tablet.
These are just a few examples of how the metaverse is being used today. And as technology advances, we’re sure to see even more amazing and innovative uses for the metaverse in the future.
How to Get Into and Involved in the Metaverse
A slice of an $80 billion pie sounds tasty, right? As digital marketers, it’s our job to stay on top of the newest technologies and understand how to utilize them to spread the word about your brand. So how do you get into the metaverse with marketing?
The first step is understanding how the metaverse can be used to achieve your marketing goals. Do you want to increase brand awareness? Drive traffic to your website? Increase sales? Once you know what you want to accomplish, you can start planning your metaverse marketing strategy.
Not sure where to start? Here are a few ideas:
- Create a presence in a popular metaverse. This could mean setting up a virtual storefront in Second Life or creating an Animal Crossing island that promotes your brand.
- Sponsor events or create competitions in the metaverse. This is a great way to generate buzz and get people talking about your brand.
- Create metaverse collectibles. These could be virtual items that people can collect, trade, or use in the metaverse. For example, you could create a branded shirt that people can wear in Animal Crossing.
- Use the metaverse to advertise your real-world product or service. This is especially effective if you have a product that can be used in the metaverse, like a game or app. Put up a virtual billboard or buy into a branded event.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. The possibilities are endless — it’s up to you to get creative and figure out how to use the metaverse to achieve your marketing goals.
The Equipment You Need to Enter the Metaverse
The digital portals to the metaverse are open to everyone, but you need to invest in the right equipment to get in. The type of equipment you need will depend on the metaverse you want to enter and how you want to experience it.
Here are a few examples:
If you want to enter Second Life, all you need is a computer with an Internet connection. No special equipment required!
To enter Minecraft, you’ll need to purchase the game for your computer, phone, or console.
To experience Animal Crossing in augmented reality, you’ll need a Nintendo Switch console and the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. You’ll also need the ARKit app for iPhone or iPad if you want to use augmented reality features.
Of course, there are many other metaverses out there, each with their own particular VR entry requirements. So if you’re interested in exploring the metaverse, be sure to do your research and find the right equipment for the job.
With the right equipment and a little creativity, you can use marketing to get involved in the metaverse and achieve your business goals. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to take your marketing to the next level!
Try the Metaverse Today
It’s important not to be afraid to take risks. Big brands are doing it, and it’s paying off. Here are some examples:
Facebook is changing the way it is selling the platform — moving from a social media network to a metaverse company of the future. They have rebranded themselves as “Meta.” A Quest headset is required to enter. And as Facebook became “the” place to gather digitally for friends across the world, Mark Zuckerberg hopes Meta will become the “virtual” place for hanging out. Already in the works are virtual fitness spaces, office spaces, and marketplaces where digital goods can be bought and sold.
The LEGO Group is investing in the metaverse, with the goal to create an “immersive digital world” for its fans. They recently announced a partnership with Epic Games. It will essentially create a metaverse for children. Epic Games already has a lot of experience in this realm with its super-popular Fortnite game. Both companies have pledged to create a safe, family-friendly metaverse environment where everyone can have fun.
McDonald’s has also jumped on the metaverse bandwagon, creating a virtual restaurant in the popular video game Roblox. This is a great way to reach their target audience of kids and teens, who spend a lot of time playing video games. Imagine a world in which your teen is playing games with their friends and can walk up to their neighborhood McDonalds to order an online burger. It would then be prepared by your brick-and-mortar restaurant and delivered to your door!
These brands are just a few examples of how the metaverse is being used today. Statista estimates there are 1.1 billion augmented reality users online now, with the number rising to an estimated 1.7 billion by 2024. And as technology advances, we’re sure to see even more amazing and innovative uses for the metaverse in the future.
How to Get Into the Metaverse
Hopefully we’ve inspired you to do some metaverse exploration of your own.
If you’re new to the metaverse, it can be daunting to figure out how to get involved. But don’t worry — we’re here to help!
Here are a few tips on how to get into the metaverse:
1.Do your research: There are many different metaverses out there, so it’s important to do your research and find the one that’s right for you. Consider your business goals and what you want to achieve by entering the metaverse. Once you know what you want, it will be easier to choose the right metaverse for your needs.
2. Get the right equipment: metamandrill recommends these items:
Oculus Quest virtual reality headsets
Valve Index headsets
Sony Playstation VR
HTC Vive Series
HP Reverb G2
Microsoft HoloLens
Epson Moverio
MagicLeap
Vuzix devices
Google Glass Edition 2
3. Be creative: The metaverse is a blank canvas, so it’s up to you to be creative and come up with ways to use it for your business. There are endless possibilities, so think outside the box and come up with some innovative ideas.
The Forum Can Help with the Metaverse
The Forum Digital team is made up of marketing and public relations experts all over the globe. Some of the services we offer include tailored content, analytics, SEO, social media, advertising, and branding — all of which can be applied to metaverse initiatives.
We hope these tips have helped you get started on your journey into the metaverse. With a little effort and creativity, you can use the metaverse to achieve your business goals. We encourage you to get in touch with us today and start a metaverse conversation. The Forum is happy to help.