Virtual Reality (VR) has taken a prominent place over the past few years redefining the way we are experiencing the things that we see. Technological innovations continue to impact the digital marketing sphere, and one of the most exciting tools to enter the landscape is virtual reality. Although the use of VR in digital marketing hasn’t gone mainstream yet, some brands are experimenting with this technology to create engaging and more personalized experiences for their customers.
What is Virtual Reality ?
Virtual Reality is an artificial, computer-generated environment that relies on aural sensations, audio and high-end graphics to make users feel that they can interact and manipulate what is around them as if it were real. The majority of VR experiences are generated through the use of specialised headsets that fully immerse a person in the virtual world. The best example is the game Pokémon Go, we all know the massive attention it garnered in the gaming world last year. This was brilliant marketing because it was a fresh and unique way to play a game that it appealed to adults as well as a younger audience who liked the idea of catching all their favourites Pokémons as opposed to just finding them in the comforts of their Sofa. Many companies have already created special VR gaming toolkits.
New marketing technologies come around very often, but VR is poised to make an even bigger impact in the digital marketing sphere. One of the biggest benefits of Virtual Reality marketing is that it allows people to fully immerse themselves in an experience that may be emotional, engaging, funny or intriguing. In this digital environment, technology like VR can help brands connect with people in a way that brings them closer together because of a shared experience. By using VR you can do almost anything virtually using headsets, glasses, and phones to feel the intensity and movements. You could potentially discover a new level of skydiving or explore and travel the globe virtually and beyond. Instead of watching a show or film about your favourite city, you can be there in your headset. If you don’t have the money to travel, you can feel like you’re walking in Paris from the comfort of your own home.
Big tech companies like Facebook, Apple, Google, Samsung, Sony and HTC are heavily investing in Virtual Reality by building different products around this technology. Currently, virtual-reality technologies are based heavily on headset-style products that allow users to quickly immerse themselves in the virtual world. Also noteworthy to state that virtual reality is becoming more diverse every year as new technological advances are discovered.
Welcome to Austin Visuals. We hope you’re enjoying this article! While you’re here, please take the opportunity to browse the visual stories and solutions we’ve created for our clients. If you have an article you’d like us to publish, email us at [email protected].
Virtual Reality’s Growth
Since so many companies are building new products & games around Virtual Reality, its popularity has skyrocketed and is expected to have an explosive growth. In fact, current global Virtual-Reality revenues have recently hit the $7 billion mark in 2017. Currently, more than 65% of all VR revenues came from headset sales this year. Consumer content made up for around 12%, and Virtual Reality cameras made another 11.6%.
By 2020, the VR market is expected to see a huge growth in terms of users. According to Tech Crunch, the long-term business models of virtual reality will focus on hardware, e-commerce and mobile data. Pokémon Go was a worldwide sensation. You could see people playing it almost anywhere you went. So, what does a gaming app have to do with marketing? How did Pokémon Go’s virtual-reality game impact the marketing world?
Local businesses started to cash in on the content. Businesses could essentially buy ad space that would attract customers to their business and market to those who were out on a Pokémon “hunt.” Users could find certain Pokémons at local businesses. According to many reports, few local business has seen a huge growth thanks to the Pokémon game. Virtual reality opens the doors to more interactive, creative, and engaging content and ads. With almost limitless possibilities, VR will change marketing by altering the content marketing game. Many businesses started taking leverage of this technology in their business to give better customer service like Ikea, the Swedish giant home-furnishing store that has massive shops in dozens of countries worldwide. They are relying on virtual-reality marketing tactics to increase their sales.
Conclusion
Virtual reality is growing fast. More companies are producing VR-based products, and more firms are investing in the development of the technology.
Pokémon Go already showed marketers that VR can be huge for your brand.
Instead of blog posts, we will start to see virtual experiences that promote high levels of engagement and interaction.
Virtual reality seems like it’s here to stay, and it will be a key player in the marketing world for years to come.
Written by Sonali Hirave
Read the original article here
Austin Visuals is a full-service 3D, 2D, Motion Graphics, Live Video, E-learning, Digital Publication studio. We’ve been creating digital magic nationwide for a decade. We work with companies of all sizes from startup to standout. Call us for a free consultation. 512-591-8024 [email protected]
