The Future of the Metaverse in Marketing

6 Secrets To Marketing In The Metaverse

1. Insert your brand authentically.

Players in the metaverse are there for the experience, not to see advertisements. It is crucial to create a marketing strategy that allows you to engage with players without disrupting their playing experience. 

One way of doing this is through virtual billboards. Billboards are a traditional way of advertising but also work in the metaverse. Since billboards are something you see in real life, these virtual billboards enhance gameplay realism. 

In addition, creating interesting virtual experiences, such as a skatepark, is the best way to naturally insert yourself into the metaverse.

2. Create incentives that encourage real-life purchases.

Replicate what you offer in real life into the metaverse. Creating fun, interesting experiences alongside perks and benefits that people can use in real life encourages people to make purchases, both in the metaverse and in the real world.

For example, creating a digital experience where players can win real-life perks such as promo codes encourages players to make real-life purchases. 

In addition, incorporating your brand’s real-life cause into the metaverse can remind people what your brand’s purpose is and help increase brand engagement and awareness.

3. Sell virtual goods alongside your physical inventory.

Avatars in the metaverse are a form of self-expression for many people. Companies can sell virtual products, and fashion brands have taken advantage of this. 

Balenciaga and Gucci partnered with Fortnite and Roblox. Balenciaga sold virtual clothing, accessories, and weapons for avatars. Gucci sold a digital bag for $4,000. 

The best way to sell virtual products is to create goods that naturally fit into the gaming experience. If you’re teaming up with Fortnite, selling exclusive weapons would make sense. 

AR is a great way to publicize your virtual product. Gucci made headlines by selling digital shoes to avatars and also allowing buyers a chance to wear those shoes with AR. Taking advantage of the metaverse as a whole is the best way to market your virtual product.

4. Create a virtual venue.

Opening a virtual store, island, or museum can help establish your presence in the metaverse. Opening exhibits, offering tours, and try-ons are all ways to get people to interact with your brand digitally. 

Making your virtual venue as interactive as possible increases your chances of making sales and meeting customer needs. Venues like skateparks and gardens are perfect examples of interactive venues that not only help drive sales but encourage people to interact with your brand.

5. Create new, unique user experiences.

Studies have found that brands in the metaverse that focus on building experiences for users gain 25% more brand loyalty than those that don’t. Live concerts and events, venues such as the Gucci Garden and skateparks, and advergames are all ways to create new, fun experiences for players. 

Advergames are essentially advertisements in the form of a game. This type of experience allows players to discuss not only your products but your game. It is a more subtle way of advertising that creates new experiences for players and gets people talking.

6. Offer digital collectibles.

Collectibles in the metaverse use digital assets called NFTs, which we discussed earlier. Brands find NFTs an asset because of the marketing opportunity and high returns.

• Include exclusive benefits with your NFTs to make them more attractive (and therefore, more profitable). 
• Reward players for purchasing to encourage them to keep engaging with your brand.
• Package collectibles with real-life items to give users a sense of exclusivity and items that they can show off in the real world and within the metaverse.

NFTs have been around since 2014. However, they’ve only started to become a popular way to buy and sell artwork in the last few years. Since late 2017, $174 million has been spent on NFTs.

Potential Issues With Metaverse Marketing

As with every developing technology, there are certain elements of marketing in the metaverse that brands need to be aware of.

1. Accessibility

The metaverse has technical requirements that not everyone has access to. The need for high-end computers and VR headsets limits the potential market for brands and can greatly limit who their message is exposed to. Depending on your target audience, metaverse marketing may not be a good fit for your brand.

2. Integration

The metaverse is fairly new. Brands may have issues with finding their place in the metaverse and their messaging might not come off as natural. Create messaging that makes sense and allows users to have fun, new experiences that make sense.

3. Content integrity and brand protection

Brand protection is crucial. In a metaverse where players have more control, the more likely it is that your brand might appear next to questionable content. In addition, it’s possible for players to vandalize your placements. It’s crucial to create natural and mindful marketing strategies so that players don’t mind sharing the metaverse with your brand and engaging with it. 

If you’ve been on the fence about whether or not your brand should start marketing in the metaverse, take this as your sign. The metaverse is a multi-million dollar market and is only expected to grow going forward. It is a great new opportunity to earn authentic, loyal customers.