With the recent announcement of the Metaverse, the futuristic vision of a fully-realized and immersive VR world is about to become a part of our reality, and with big companies already investing, here’s what you’ll need to know to prepare as a smaller brand.
In 2021, Facebook rebranded as Meta, with the company’s main goal now being to bring the “Metaverse” to life. The Metaverse is a virtual reality, a ‘real world’ version of the internet simulating face-to-face interaction online. Where VR in the past has been heavily focused around gaming, the metaverse aims to expand further, fusing social media, ecommerce, meetings and even live events like concerts into its digital sphere.
Though Meta aims to fully-actualize in 10-15 years, huge companies like Microsoft, Apple, Nike, Epic Games and Shopify have already invested. Accessed through a VR headset or Google Glasses, customers will be able to shop online as if they’re physically in store, with a unique avatar that’ll let them “try on” clothes digitally, or meet up with friends in a virtual cafe. Online meetings and ecommerce have become commonplace since the pandemic, and the Metaverse is where this trend will likely head. Smaller businesses do not need to rush in and start building their space within the Metaverse right now, but keeping an eye on how the Metaverse progresses and experimenting with Augmented Reality can help you plan ahead.
Augmented Reality has been increasingly used by brands to blend physical and digital methods of shopping. Take IKEA for example, who’s AR app shows you how furniture will look like in your home. Social media is one way you can conceptualize your brand within the Metaverse, as custom AR filters and effects that followers can use are readily available for you to create.
Communication with your customers will also change, with meetings set to be held inside virtual conference rooms, replacing the detached and impersonal online Zoom meetings we have right currently. Of course, the Metaverse will not completely replace human contact or even our modes of online connection available now, and your audience will have to adapt to these new methods of interaction with you. Jumping straight to Metaverse will alienate those who cannot afford the accessories or access the technology, and some will find the familiarity of our current online communications comforting and easier to navigate. So, if you do incorporate the Metaverse into your brand, make sure it’s optional.
If you would like to learn more about the Metaverse and how it will impact your brand, feel free to message us at hello@shootyou.co.uk
