Humans are physically and psychologically wired to be more responsive to visual content, and the direction in which the Internet had been developing ever since most users acquired sufficient bandwidth proves this point right. Video has already achieved complete dominance over all other types of content: no less than 85% of marketers use it in this or that form, and one-third of all online activity consists of watching the video. Videos are everywhere: on social media, on corporate websites, in product demos.
For affiliate marketing, it means that if you are not using videos to engage visitors, you are losing a massive opportunity. Practice shows that it is much easier to entice a visitor to watch a video than to consume any other type of content. In addition to that, take a closer look at AR (augmented reality). It was a big thing back in 2016 but stood somewhat low in 2017, but now we are going to see its comeback after technology gets perfected and used to its full potential. It will be more accessible to marketers and serve as an excellent way of reaching out to potential clients.
With this new technology, marketers are already finding unique ways to implement their own strategies into a VR world. The headsets already offer a “theater-like” experience for video watchers, meaning content creators who utilize video can create an even more immersive experience for their viewers. This is great news for content publishers, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg. Companies are investing in these immersive experiences by trying to take full advantage of VR’s capabilities. This means travel companies can give potential travelers a 360-degree, fully immersed view of a destination they’re interested in visiting, auto companies can have a virtual showroom to show actual-scaled versions of cars, and ticket vendors are creating virtual concert experiences. Even Hollywood is getting more invested in VR, releasing fully immersive trailers for movies.
Ikea Place, which was recently launched in the US, allows users to place virtual Ikea furniture into their own home to see how everything might look once assembled. Ikea has had a 3D function in its catalogue app for a few years now, however the scale was somewhat questionable, and it required a physical copy of the paper catalogue to work.
In contrast, the new Ikea Place app is said to be 98% accurate in scale, rendering 3D images to react to light and shade – ultimately giving consumers a much more realistic portrayal.
Stationery brand Bic has turned to AR to solve a very different kind of problem. Its Drawybook app for kids adds a gamification element to colouring – acting as an alternative to standard mobile gaming apps that children often turn to.
The app includes storytelling elements, with a number of interactive stories being specially created for the app by children’s author, Elissa Elwich. However, the AR element gives kids a reason to do more than just play games or read. The ‘Draw & Scan’ feature encourages them to create their own art by bringing it to life with special overlaid effects.
