The metaverse is the future, so it is time to get familiar and get it working for your business, reaching new customers and clients.
The Metaverse is set to change the working landscape forever. In fact, according to Meta, the metaverse will alter the way we “socialise, learn, collaborate and play in ways that go beyond what we can imagine”.
This is quite the claim, but isn’t as bold or unlikely as it might sound, as we’ll explain here.
In truth, if the metaverse is half as revolutionary as Meta claims it is, then businesses basically cannot afford to fall behind the curve, so it’s time to get familiar with the metaverse and how to make it work for your business.
It is not yet as ever-present in our lives as, say, the internet, but if rumours are to be believed, it may well come to be just as normal.
What it is already true to say, is that if you have a strong grasp and presence in the metaverse, you will be well positioned to utilise the raft of new resultant technologies, as more and more people (and their inevitably brilliant ideas) migrate onto its space.
Imagine the impact you could have had if you’d have been savvy to the power of Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or TikTok just before they exploded in popularity. Right now is your chance to do the same with the metaverse.
What is the metaverse?
The metaverse is essentially a digital reality. It is connected via the internet and uses new technologies like virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR).
This means that with the use of a virtual reality headset, (or similar), you will enter the metaverse and have a virtual presence (or an avatar) moving around in the metaverse while you sit at home.
There is no single capital “M” Metaverse yet, with all apps and sites connected to a single reality. However, it does exist in bits and pieces. You can enter specific virtual spaces hosted by specific companies - think of it more like unconnected websites than the internet at the moment.
VR vs AR
Virtual reality means having an avatar in the virtual space, and augmented reality is overlaying something digital onto the real world (like, seeing a digital Pokemon through your phone, standing on the real street, during PokemonGo, as an example).
“I think that this is just going to be a big part of the next chapter for the way that the Internet evolves after the mobile internet," says Zuckerberg.
Metaverse business opportunities
Many companies are already moving online and creating virtual office spaces for their customers to interact on the metaverse. They are already setting up to interact with their customers in a new way, familiarising themselves with the functions and its usage.
You're unlikely to have many customers on the metaverse at the moment, but companies are already getting themselves embedded, so that when the change comes, they are ready.
In the short term, the metaverse is likely to have the biggest impact on e-commerce and entertainment.
After all, we are already doing most of our buying and gaming online, via apps or consoles. This trend will continue. Games that require headsets as you run through a world, are already using a metaverse.
Consider typical apps a stepping stone between today’s internet and the metaverse. So, do not quite ditch your apps and platforms just yet. Cultivate your metaverse presence in tandem with your 2D apps.
If you look too far ahead, you’ll miss the present. And if you miss the present, your company might not be around to leverage the new technology when it becomes important.
Having said that, if you do not get ready to utilise this new revolutionary space, you may miss the boat.
Investing in the metaverse is about balancing your immediate needs with preparing for the future. And preparing for the future is about understanding how technology is changing specifically in reference to your company’s operations.
How to thrive in the metaverse
First and foremost, make yourself familiar with how it functions. Invest in the correct technology so you and your staff can understand how it works. When you do start getting customers on there, it won’t look great if you’re fumbling around with the basics of headsets.
This might mean getting familiar with all sorts of technology, but headsets and controls are the bare minimum.
As you get familiar with the technology, assess your customer demographic. Sooner or later, we will probably all be using the metaverse. If you have a young demographic, ripe for the metaverse, then you also need to decide on an appropriate use case. Throwing all your projects onto the metaverse without a second thought might be like looking for a solution without a problem. Where can it assist you and improve your customers' experience?
…Check out what your competition is doing for inspiration.
You will have to amend your strategies for marketing in the metaverse. Paid ads on traditional social media (has social media been around for long enough to call it traditional?) is no longer enough in the metaverse.
This does not mean you do away with your typical marketing. Social media can be integrated with the metaverse, so people are visiting you via 2D and virtual routes, to the same place.
Make sure your messaging is consistent over both the metaverse and 2D marketing, so that your brand is still recognisable. There is no point in starting from scratch.
To summarise, getting on the metaverse early and marketing your company correctly is important, so jump on board. As more of your customers move into the brave new world of virtual reality, don’t let them turn to your competitors in your absence.
The metaverse is an exciting new platform that has the potential to change our lives, so embrace it.
To find out more or for any questions you may have, get in touch.
