Whether you laughed, shrugged, or rolled your eyes at the news, Facebook‘s recent announcement generated a wide range of responses. At the October 2021 Facebook Connect conference, CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared his vision for the next evolution of the internet while revealing the company’s new name: Meta. What impact could the Facebook Metaverse have on your business? More than you might realize.
The Metaverse
The term “metaverse” wasn’t coined by Zuckerberg, but his announcement certainly brought the word to the masses. The term is widely attributed to author Neal Stephenson, who coined the term metaverse in his novel Snow Crash. The concept describes virtual spaces where people interact using immersive technology like virtual reality. Think of it as a Zoom call on steroids. Not only can you see and speak to people in other spaces, but you will also be able to interact with 3-D models virtually. It will be like going to the office while staying at home.
VR Collaborative Workspaces
One significant way Facebook metaverse can impact your business is the creation of VR workspaces. Zuckerberg predicts that the metaverse will transform the way people work together. While COVID-19 forced most workers to shift to remote work, many are expected to continue working remotely even as the pandemic fades. Meta aims to meet that need with tools that accommodate hybrid work.
The company already has a VR collaboration product in open beta. Horizon Workrooms is an app that runs on the company’s Oculus Quest 2 headsets. This app creates a virtual space where business employees can meet, give presentations, and collaborate together. Companies that use Horizon Workrooms will soon be able to customize their virtual workspaces with their logo and marketing. Meta also plans to bring 2D apps like Dropbox and Slack into its VR store. Businesses that opt-in can allow their employees to use the company’s Quest headsets to work from home within the company’s VR spaces.
The Future of Marketing?
Facebook’s shift to the metaverse presents a wide host of questions and opportunities for business marketing. Could the change to Meta indicate a move away from the brand’s commitment to advertising on Facebook and Instagram? Publishers who are dependent on Facebook advertising features should take heed. While the changes are years away, it is a shift that must be noted and planned for. Another point to consider is what the metaverse will mean for publishers as it grows and develops. Just as mobile technology and social media presented new, exciting options for publishers, so will the metaverse.
While Facebook’s metaverse brings a lot of exciting possibilities, it’s impossible to ignore the privacy concerns that have been highlighted recently as the brand is under scrutiny. As with any other online venture, you’ll want to have a solid grasp of privacy laws and make sure you are following them. Or you can leave your social media management to the pros so you can focus on other aspects of your business!