Four major hi-tech companies are expected to release their first versions of Virtual Reality devices at the beginning of 2016. With highly anticipated products such as Oculus rift and Sony VR entering the market, the potential of finding and engaging customers in the virtual world is now a real possibility. Second Life, a fantasy based virtual world, has around 20 million members and 2 million active members. Digital Marketers are already leveraging this platform to get higher returns on their marketing and advertising spends.
There are 4 main tools marketers can leverage to promote their company through Second Life.
Second life Groups/Avatars
- Communities and groups
You can create affinity groups for your company. You can also create in-world events for potential customers and drive engagement. You can then, network with other groups of similar interest by having combined events with them. Second life also enables transactions between people in groups, thus enabling businesses to create a network of potential customers.
- Advertising on Virtual property
Second life enables the purchase of land in the virtual environment. Business can buy these spaces and advertise them in the virtual world. Advertising themselves on virtual merchandises is also an effective option.
Advertising on virtual property
- Web based calendars
Web based calendars not only allows businesses to create public events and advertise it to everyone on second life but also these events reach users outside second life. (as they are web based)
Second Life Events
- Personal invitations and gifts
Once you have acquired a good connection in Second Life, you can send personal invitation for events and promotions in Second Life. The invitations could also include freebies. Businesses can strengthen their SL networks and work co-operatively with other residents to connect with the market and learn from the market. An event also helps bring the community members closer and establishes a better brand recognition and advocacy.