We have seen many business brands jump onto the virtual reality bandwagon with some of them even using VR and AR technology to sell digital and physical products. But most of them have been big name brands with big budgets. What if you don’t have that big budget, but you still want to use the medium for promotional purposes? Here are ten tips to create a strong business and personal brand for SME’s and individuals hoping to get their business and services out there into the world of VR…
Using 360 Videos and Images
This format is great for all sorts of business as it can be used in a number of ways. Hotels can showcase their rooms, business can showcase their office spaces and individuals can even make a more engaging video for people when you need that digital face to face contact. The good news is these days 360 recording devices are very affordable and really high quality making the smallest of budgets seem like professional productions.
Motion Controllers
Do you sell physical items? If you do imagine people from all over the world being able to reach out and interact with your items in a VR store or environment. Many larger shoe companies have done just that and with new ways to scan 3D items with your smartphone, most small SME’s should be able to make a VR app for people to see their wears.
Business to Business
B2B marketing makes up a large percentage of all SME’s and VR can help in that department as well. With all the localised lockdowns and need for social distancing, meeting face to face and building a brand is not easy at all. But when you meet in VR using any of the VR social apps you can meet face to face, shake hands and sit down and get to business all with low-cost VR headsets that most individuals should be able to afford.
While VR technology is still a relatively small market it doesn’t mean you can’t use that said technology to reach out into the physical world. Thanks to the cheaper tech and better conferencing tools VR can be a powerful tool for all those trying to sell their products and services online.
Here are a few more tips for those looking to build their brand a little more. While they don’t relate to VR, AR or MR technology they are very useful…
Define your Brand
Think of what your business has to offer then identify the market space and study key customer needs. Identifying and defining your position in the market can increase your chances of creating a brand that connects more with your customers and sets you apart from your competitors.
Personalize
Think of your brand as an individual made up of beliefs, values and goals that define who they are and who they connect with. In this way, you can connect with your core customers at a personal level and develop your brand. It can also help you achieve some sense of fulfilment if you manage to successfully sell all the products offered.
Be Original and Authentic
Although it seems compelling to imitate huge successful players in the market, this is by far the worst way to attract loyal and long-term customers. Don’t be afraid to distinguish your brand from well-known brands, as market trends indicate that consumers tend to go for independent retailers who offer original and authentic products. Big brands are often constrained by their policies, however, independent brands are innovative, bold and daring which makes them more flexible to meet customer needs.
Think Long Term
Honest brands build up a trustful relationship with their customers and as a result foster customer loyalty. Any attempt to make a false promise or pretend that your brand is something it’s not will only affect your business negatively. Therefore, consider practicing corporate values to build long-term relationships with consumers. Consistent news also helps customers know what to expect from you, which helps strengthen customer-client relationships.
Avoid Too Much Repetition
Communicating a consistent message is key to building customer confidence, but iterating the brand information to your customers makes them bored and is ineffective. Creatively find different ways to relay the same message instead of repeating the same banner or slogan over and over.
Keep an Air of Mystery
Brand trends are more fluid and interactive than they were in the past. Do not provide everything in advance. Give your customers the opportunity to research and understand you. A teaser that leads customers to your website is a great way to keep them interested. Consumers are inherently curious and are more likely to interact with you when you direct them to your website. Word of mouth is still powerful, even in the digital age. When customers learn more about you, they can talk to their friends and family about you leading to more clientele.