The Bolt is back and ready to bring you the ins and outs of marketing trends and developments that caught our attention this month. So crack open an energy drink and grab your favorite VR headset because we’re diving into the Metaverse.
TLDR: The Metaverse has expanded beyond games played in your basement and is offering a variety of creative touch points where brands can connect with their tech-savvy audiences. Although we typically see B2C brands in the meta-world, we see opportunities for B2B brands to join the conversation.
The Metaverse. You've heard it on the news, at work, with your friends, and online. But what even is the Metaverse? And how do people join in? We have these Q’s and more answered with ease below. So let’s plug right in.
Starting off strong–let’s define the Metaverse: The Metaverse is simply a 3D immersive space where people can play, shop, socialize, and have fun–similar to that of Ready Player One but with way more accessibility.
Who invented the Metaverse? While their names are similar, Meta did not actually invent the Metaverse–but Meta is a part of the larger, growing network. The term was first coined in Neil Stephenson’s 1992 novel, Snow Crash, where people who live in a dystopian future can escape into an alternative 3D connected reality.
How can you access the Metaverse? There is no single entrance into the Metaverse. To access the Metaverse, you can use your desktop, laptop, or your phone for certain platforms like Roblox, Decentraland, or The Sandbox. But if you do want that more immersive experience, you can use virtual reality headsets, augmented reality gear (like AR glasses), and gaming consoles.
How does the Metaverse impact B2B Marketing? Brands like Starbucks (Starbucks Odyssey) and Nike (Nikeland) have already jumped into the Metaverse waters. But there are plenty of B2B ways brands can work with the Metaverse such as hosting virtual trade shows, personalizing customer service experiences, and using 3D product demos.
As the Metaverse continues to grow and expand over time, there will be even more creative opportunities for B2B brands to show off their products and services.