Did you know that the augmented reality and virtual reality market in the United States has nearly doubled since 2019? (Statista) That growth is indicative of a valuable trend that’s here to stay. But, what is it? And, how can your business benefit from virtual reality and augmented reality?
VR and AR are both experiential services that enhance visual storytelling in a way that’s interactive and immersive. And, they allow your audience to visually engage with your message, which is a powerful tool you can use to grow your business.
Virtual Reality v. Augmented Reality
Though gaming popularized VR, it’s hardly the only industry that can benefit from VR technology. With VR, you can create an entire virtual world – one that is lifelike or fantastically imagined. And, viewers can experience that world from almost any device, be it your phone or smart glasses.
Augmented reality offers a similarly impactful experience, bridging new media and traditional media to create an exciting blend of engagement spanning real life and digital. With AR, you can make your print or 2D collateral come to life with digital elements that engage with capabilities already available on your consumers’ devices .
But, what are some practical ways to use experiential services like VR and AR to support your business?
Train Employees
Hiring a new employee means a period of time spent training. Even the most qualified candidates and experienced hires need to be oriented to the new environment, people, and program.
And, VR provides simulations for nearly any kind of training purpose, from airplane pilots to industrial construction workers to customer service. VR creates a controlled, safe environment for learning while also engaging the employee with realistic experience.
In addition, VR provides opportunities for professional development and continued learning programs. Especially within industrial and construction sectors, continued learning and training is vital, as safety guidelines and policies are updated.
Using an experiential service to train employees also increases overall productivity because current employees don’t have to stop and train new employees. So, equipping your training efforts with this kind of tool will prove cost-effective.
Create Stand Out Marketing
Traditional storytelling is a classic, but it can also be one-dimensional. With experiential services like VR and AR, you can make your audience part of your brand story. And, that leaves a greater impact on them.
VR and AR technology enables imaginative, stunning experiences with products, services, and events. It’s innovative and attractive and a powerful tool to engage audiences with a limited attention span. In other words, these tools really help you stand out!
VR booths always make a splash at expos, providing attendees with an opportunity to completely immerse themselves in your business or product. And, AR is not only an enriching feature at traditional events, but also to generate interaction at community walks and increase audience reach.
Enhance Brick and Mortar Experience
Retail has long faced a looming threat with the emergence and domination of online shopping. Though lots of people still want a brick and mortar experience, the reality of online shopping is that customers can compare prices, read reviews, and more!
However, AR provides a way to converge the benefits of online shopping with the experience of brick and mortar. For example, Harley Davidson developed an AR app that allowed their shoppers to view a live customization of their chosen motorcycle, changing colors and features in real time, while still interacting in the real store.
So, consider exploring the ways VR and AR could transform your business. They’re incredible tools only beginning to prove their value. Contact Launch to discuss bringing your existing marketing into the digital space.