Your B2B Marketing May Benefit from Virtual Reality Technology

Virtual Reality. Some people fill with curiosity and excitement while others fear that this marks the beginning of when robots take over all of humanity. But no matter how you feel about it, virtual reality is a technology storm that’s been brewing for years and it’s only growing stronger.

But what exactly is it? Virtual Reality, or VR, is a computer generated simulation of a three-dimensional world which is experienced and/or controlled by movement of the body while typically wearing a virtual reality headset and other equipment. It is currently in the beginning stages of its growth cycle and is the supposed ‘next big thing’ in marketing.

So as a B2B marketer, why in the world do you need this? For starters, this is the future of storytelling. VR gives viewers a completely immersive experience as if they were plucked from the clutches of reality and thrown into an alternate universe that you created. You have their undivided attention; 360 degrees of it I might add. It is a seamless gateway to communicate the value of your product in fuller detail with no distractions from the outside world. Just remember to understand your audience, create a memorable experience, engage your customers in a story, and create really awesome content to go with it. Here are a few examples of how you can acclimate VR into your marketing strategy:

Marketing Research and Product Development

Research for new products can be expensive and time consuming. By virtually creating your product, you will save on resources and materials which in the end, saves you money. You can design, construct, and examine your product multiple times before you even make the first physical prototype.

“Try Before You Buy”

This is an excellent opportunity to engage potential customers who have an interest in your product. You have their undivided attention and are exposed to your product in greater detail than they would have viewing online or in a catalog. VR is also useful for marketing larger products that are too costly to ship directly to customers who later want to return, such as furniture. In addition, this technology helps to better communicate complex value propositions. What one cannot explain on paper, VR will be able to demonstrate visually, in a captivating experience.

Trade Shows and Events

If you want to stand out from the crowd at a trade show or crowded event, host a VR demonstration featuring your product or your brand. It is an easy way to accumulate booth traffic and will give prospective clients a fun, memorable experience while simultaneously creating awareness for your brand. This is also ideal for those who are not able to attend a convention or seminar. Viewers will be able to virtually attend thus, widening your reach and engaging a much larger audience.

VR is not about selling, selling, selling. Okay…it kind of is but the point of it is not to provide data and information and statistics. It is rather an emotional experience where you tell your story and who you are as a company. It’s all about connecting with the customer in the artificial world you created just for them. And in successfully doing so, you will drive your customers through the sales and marketing funnel.