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Virtual Reality Marketing

by Industry NewsTips & TricksTrends

We are sure you are familiar with virtual reality (VR) technology; whether you have seen a 3-D image on a computer or tried out VR glasses at your local shopping mall, VR is transforming the tech landscape. VR technology immerses consumers in artificial environments created by the software. The software presents information to users in a realistic way and surrounds them with elements of an alternate landscape that feel, look, and sound lifelike. 

Not only has VR transformed the technology industry in the past few years, but it has also become a crucial marketing strategy for many companies. Although such advanced technology sounds like an idea of the future, 78% of people were familiar with VR as early as 2018. When VR marketing first gained popularity, it felt like the flying car of the marketing industry. It is imaginative, unique, and limitless. This technology provides consumers with a previously unavailable experience, making it highly coveted. 

VR marketing strategies utilize VR technology to curate a fake, but realistic, environment for customers. This environment may be visual or multi-sensory and often allows individuals to “try” products before they make a big purchase. Thus, VR marketing can help your company improve customer relations and increase brand awareness. 

Different types of VR marketing have gained traction; however, augmented reality (AR) marketing is the most common form. AR marketing only requires a phone or desktop app to design a unique VR environment; therefore, it is simple, price-efficient for companies, and accessible for consumers. 

According to Deloitte, in 2020, AR marketing was most successful for products that are “highly standardized with high opportunity for customizing features.” The automotive and furniture industries have experienced a positive ROI from AR marketing, and the makeup, shoe, home goods, and technology industries have seen early technical successes. Here are some examples detailing how companies in these industries successfully implemented AR marketing:

IKEA – Furniture Industry

The IKEA AR app allows potential customers to see how furniture would look in their home before buying it. Customers can select a piece of furniture or a complete set, and the AR technology does the rest! The app allows customers to bring their ideas into reality, which has been highly successful thus far.

L’Oreal – Makeup Industry

The makeup and hair company L’Oreal released an app titled “Makeup Genius.” This app lets customers get creative and try different hair colors and makeup products. That way, customers can decide if they like how the product looks before making a big purchase or decision. Furthermore, the virtual try-on feature has solved a problem presented by COVID-19, as some people are not comfortable trying out shared samples. Individuals also can shop and try on products from the comfort of their homes, which aligns with increased online shopping trends in recent years. 

Gucci – Shoe Industry

Luxury brand Gucci uniquely used AR marketing; they launched a feature on the Gucci app to promote a new line of Ace sneakers. Users can point the camera at their feet to try out different styles of sneakers. The app also tracks movement so customers can view the shoes from various angles.

Gucci took their AR experience a step further and added the technology to a filter on Snapchat. Advertising their new product on a popular social media platform allowed them to reach a more extensive customer base.

There is a learning curve that comes along with trying out innovative technology. Although VR marketing has already gained traction, it is likely that its usage will only grow over time. Companies in the apparel and grocery industries that have experimented with AR marketing also have a wide range of opportunities available if they choose to take them. The possibilities are endless if you step inside the world of VR!

We hope this blog displays the importance of utilizing VR and AR to strengthen your company’s marketing strategy and customer relationships. If you have any further questions or are seeking advice, feel free to reach out:

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Social Media is Necessary For Businesses, PERIOD.

by Tips & TricksTrends

Social media has exponentially increased its presence in society. Thus, a correlation between social media usage and consumer buying behaviors can undoubtedly be identified. Think about it like this: you just purchased a new item, attended a new restaurant, or had an awful experience at a particular establishment that supplies a product or service. The first place you turn to either rave or criticize your experience is social media. Individuals connect with social media and different businesses, and research has shown that many people rely solely on social media for information, reviews, and advice when planning future purchases. Deloitte’s specific study illustrated that consumers influenced by social media are four times more likely to spend more money or make additional purchases.


Furthermore, 29% of consumers are more likely to make a purchase on the same day they scrolled through social media than on a day where they did not open an application. These exciting conclusions attribute to the following three social media impacts on consumer buying behavior. After all, every business’s dream is to influence consumer behavior and build a road that leads to their brand.

Social media builds product awareness. In everyday life, we face simple challenges or obstacles. On these occasions, we typically turn to the internet and social media to provide us with a logical solution. Frequently, people do not know which product or service will be most beneficial. This confusion causes additional searching and purchases based on information shared on social media.

Secondly, social proof plays a role in buying decisions. Social proof is the concept that people will follow the actions of the masses. It has emerged as people have a greater desire to imitate the people who influence them, including celebrities, bloggers, or important figures in a person’s life. When someone is pleased with a product or service, they speak highly about them on social media. Comments, likes, reviews, and tweets allow customers to interact or respond to influencers. I mean, who wouldn’t want to eat the same cereal as LeBron James or wear the same sweaters as Taylor Swift?

You cannot deny the power of a discount. Deals, promotions, or contests can be effectively utilized by businesses to increase consumer interest and engagement. 64% of online consumers reported that they wait to make purchases until they go on sale. An excellent way for businesses to increase brand recognition and consumer respondents is through social media contests. Telling people that to win, they must follow your account and share it with three friends just gained you four more potential customers.

Social media has transformed the market and provides the perfect platform to advertise, engage with customers, and share your products or services. It is such a powerful tool that it has influenced consumer buying behaviors at large in recent years. If you are a business that does not currently have a social media presence, make sure not to let this become a missed opportunity and get involved today.

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The Results are in: Amazon Prime Day

by Tips & TricksTrends

The notorious Amazon Prime Day lasted 48 hours, from June 21 to June 22, 2021. The goal of this event was to allow online shoppers to take advantage of a variety of discounts on the site. Across all categories, Amazon offered over two million deals to incentivize customers to make purchases on items that were previously out of their price range. Any product you can possibly think of, ranging from blenders to watches to chairs, televisions, hairdryers, and so much more, were all advertised for a marked-down price during the period. Consequently, many products are still discounted even after the event ended this past Tuesday. We wanted to provide some information about this event.

As we mentioned above, Prime Day is an event that features various discounts on Amazon’s site. Most of the deals were in effect from Monday to Tuesday, but there were some exceptions. Lightning Deals can be described as short-lived sales only available for a short time or until they sell out. To take part in these deals, you must hold an Amazon Prime membership. This would allow you to shop for all sales and get free shipping on every order you make. Some of the categories that provided multiple discounts included beauty products, home products, fashion items, and technology. Three items that experienced especially great discounts were robot vacuums, headphones, and kitchen appliances. Due to the popularity of this event, many retailers ran competitive sales during the same period. Among these included Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. Prime Day always occurs in the summer and not during a holiday season to simulate purchases during a slower period for retailers. Interestingly, Prime Day was moved up from early July to the end of June in 2021 due to the upcoming Olympic Games. As a result, experts believe items like swimming, hiking, camping equipment, and summer gear will all experience discounts.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Day was a huge success in 2020. Of course, our world has become more normal since last summer, but e-commerce activity remains strong. Amazon reported that total sales from Prime Day surpassed those on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, proving that this event, which originated in 2015, is essential for the company’s success.

Even though Prime Day 2021 has come to a close, there is speculation of another Prime Day in October, so watch out. Additionally, some of the sales from earlier this week still remain on the website. If you weren’t fortunate enough to catch this event, please visit the website now or seek information about the upcoming October event to participate in the discounts.

We believe that Prime Day displays how discounts simulate purchases. Suppose your company is in a place where you can hold a similar flash sale. In that case, it could be highly effective in increasing purchases, website traffic, and customer loyalty.

black friday and cyber monday post covid trends

Post-COVID Trends To Consider Now: Black Friday And Cyber Monday

by Trends

Last November, we wrote a similar blog discussing the different types of consumer behaviors during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. A little less than a year later, this holiday season looks considerably different. With large gatherings strictly prohibited, everything about 2020 is completely unprecedented. However, as they say, “the show must go on.” In the midst of the coronavirus, retailers must prepare to deliver the coveted holiday deals that their loyal consumer base expects. In a time when ecommerce sales are becoming increasingly important, retailers must make the process seamless for consumers, who continue to deal with delivery problems and rejected orders. As Black Friday nears, here are a few ways retailers can maximize sales and profits on this day:

Safety First!

Marketing experts at Zenreach, a technology company that connects brick and mortar retailers with their customers through marketing software, has found that foot traffic to stores fell almost 80% when the pandemic arrived, but has recovered to about half of its pre-COVID levels over the past three months. The initial traffic decline can be attributed to health and safety concerns. However, the recent recovery foreshadows the future potential for brick and mortar stores to reach normal levels of foot traffic once again. To do so, retailers must not only implement all necessary safety precautions (including hand sanitizer throughout the store, mandating that masks must be worn, and maintaining social distancing), but also must communicate these health measures to customers. Effective communication prior to Black Friday will make your shop a must see!

Reward Loyalty                                                                                                                 

Make a special effort to connect with repeat consumers. The 80/20 rule states that 80% of profits are thought to come from the 20% of a retailer’s best customers. Make sure that these customers get through the doors on Black Friday. Maybe even consider giving incentives to your loyal customers, like special discounts or a free product with their purchase, to run promotions aimed at these customers and ensure they pick you over competitors. 

Online Presence A Key Differentiator

In these unprecedented times, not all consumers feel comfortable going into stores. Here is where Cyber Monday comes in. Online shopping has gained a completely new meaning and reputation in 2020. I am sure you have all splurged once or twice during quarantine when you were sitting home with nothing to do. Although a few months later, this year more than ever, Cyber Monday is essential. Zenreach’s data shows that campaigns by retailers online are achieving record success, with some getting click-through rates as high as 2-3%, which is about 20 to 30 times higher than typical pre-COVID averages.Furthermore, 42% of consumers said that prices have dictated their online shopping habits in 2020.The chart below highlights more desires of consumers that could help your business be number one on their Cyber Monday shopping list:

Although unprecedented, now is the perfect time to enhance your company’s online brand presence. Take advice from consumers: they are always right. 

Safety, loyalty, and effective advertising should be your three priorities heading into this holiday season. Look at it this way: COVID-19 could completely alter the way consumers and retailers approach Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the future. What you do now is going to make history, so take advantage of this opportunity and welcome in new possibilities with open arms.