Augmented Reality and Marketing for Your Business
In a world forever changed by the pandemic, virtual experiences have become the new normal. It comes as no surprise that development and adoption of Augmented Reality has accelerated with more audiences wanting real feeling virtual experiences.
This is the right time for ambitious brands to get out in front of their competition by becoming early adopters of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality technology ideas that align with their brands and businesses.
Augmented Reality and Marketing Strategies
1. AR comes to rescue for “at-home” marketing strategies.
Since people have no choice but to stay at home in the pandemic, technology has really come to our rescue whether it is on the businesses or social life front. Our reliance on technologies like video conferencing and augmented reality is only predicted to grow and stay in the post-pandemic world.
As demand has increased for virtual experiences to feel more real, Augmented Reality has become crucial for businesses as they drive at-home marketing strategy. Virtual is the new normal and the work-from-home phenomenon is not going anywhere, it has altered advertising and marketing spend to the homes of consumers. The need for an “at-home” strategy goes well with AR.
AR has surely demonstrated itself as an applicable way for companies to connect with their customers. Since it is visual and experiential, it creates an impactful experience for customers. The year 2021 will see AR rise as an integral part of marketing campaigns.
Many B2B as well as consumer industries depend on trade shows and live events for product launches, education, and industry marketing. AR has become a central and go-to solution.
We see an emerging trend of using 3D replicas of products featuring volumetric video and well-defined holograms of presenters, influencers, and celebrities. Avatars and 2D video are starting to be used to show and sell products.
Fascinating live 3D avatar characters can deliver unique Augmented Reality experiences for your brand. For example, an actor in real time can control interaction between audience and any 3D character he chooses to play. These technologies are offering an unparalleled experience for any brand which needs to educate or wishes to provide an engaging and entertaining experience. The possibilities are as infinite as the creative ambition of brands!
All this will create a very personalized and engaging experience with customers. It assures stronger relationships, higher engagement heading to improved conversions.
2. Mobile AR
While wearable gadgets like SmartGlasses will play a significant role in AR experience by partnering up with fashion brands; it is Mobile AR that offers exciting opportunity for brands. Mobile AR employs high-quality 3D content for an engaging experience on a mobile device (for educating or entertaining audiences).
Smartglasses in 2021 will be more wearable where they would spontaneously change to environmental conditions and a users’ changing prescription. It is predicted to become a mobile accessory like smartwatches.
3. A virtual economy emerges
Digital goods are big phenomenon in the gaming and fashion industry. The virtual economy serves digital avatars and real people. As the trend of digital avatar grows the need to buy and sell virtual goods such as hair, skin, clothing, and accessories for our digital self. Digital products for real self are also offered by Virtual economy. Virtual-only makeup and fashion is being sold and carried by using AR filters or used in post-production for posts on social media.
Here is NatGeo with their T-Rex exhibit:
Think of how you can portray your product or service in a new light with this Snapchat lens:
These experiences can be witnessed 24/7 from any location or store for product and visual display purposes. Lenses are offered by Instagram and Zoom as well where people are creating their own avatars.
4. 2021 is the Year of the QR code
Invented in 1994, they have proved to be a saviour in the pandemic to enable touchless interactions. Back in vogue, QR codes are being used for a growing number of use cases from accessing menus to making payments. As people have got accustomed to it, it is time to use them as part of a digital solution, including using it for AR. Also, as they are easy to implement and inexpensive to utilize it as part of a digital solution, including using it for AR.
You will find QR codes everywhere including in store windows, albums art, magazines, and more. Capture your audience’s attention by posting a new QR code on your shop’s display window each week. Main street retailers can stand out using these AR technologies, engaging customers with front window or instore invitations. Games, contests, product, or service information are great uses of the new QR codes.
The use of QR codes has given rise to new expectations with mobile phones that we can get digital results from scanning anything. QR codes are moving in the direction of a new digital experience with augmented reality. In a world enabled by augmented reality, imagine scanning without the need for a code. It is setting up the platform for solutions like Snap’s Scan and Google’s Lens up for great success.
5. Big digital screens will be driven by AR
Video conferencing and online chats have dramatically increased in the Covid-19 era. AR became a big part of the video conferencing with digital backgrounds, filters, avatars, and makeup in 2020. As people spend more time on these experiences, 2021 will see longer engagement times which will inspire new use cases for AR. A perfect example of using video conference to engage people from all around the world is this Tony Robbins’ event:
The event was streamed in 30,000 households, unleashing the power of virtual participation around the globe.
If you still think augmented reality is just a fad and it will all be over soon; Think again! Clearly, the developments so far are just the start of a new computing age. Virtual is the new normal and here to stay. How are you going to use it to your benefit and set new benchmarks in your industry?
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