Is Virtual Reality the Future of Influencer Marketing?

Influencer marketing has evolved into a more sophisticated and brand-oriented form of marketing in the last few years. Influencers across the globe have always had a tremendous impact on consumers and the importance of influencer marketing as a core marketing strategy has only increased.

For several years now influencers have been the focal point of many digital marketing strategies. However, the landscape is changing rapidly. The advancement in technology has set us up for the next phase of influencer marketing – virtual reality.

Today, there is an overwhelming demand for livestreaming, VR, and 360-degree videos which draw the viewers into experience. Social media users don’t just want content, they want a more immersive experience. At the same time, influencer marketing has recently gained traction and virtual reality offers influencers access to a wilfully engaged audience.

Virtual reality is turning into mainstream media faster than one can fathom. It’s only a matter of time before every company is using some form of VR. In fact, there are already several businesses that are using this technology as an essential part of their digital marketing strategies in order to create a more successful brand image in the ever-evolving market.

Replacing the real world, which is what the concept of virtual reality is all about, has been a game changer in more ways than one. For influencers, VR will drive content into a completely new direction, making it more engaging than it has ever been, promising a more trust-based relationship between influencers and customers.

Virtual reality will take up a large part of the influencer marketing process eventually. Let’s take a look at the changes that VR will bring in influencer marketing in the future.

Inclusivity

Today, there are so many influencers carving their own niches and it has become easier than ever to approach them. With this, brands have begun to associate with influencers at all levels because now, it is more about emotional connect.

Transparency

Content marketing practices have evolved in the direction of the consumers’ demand for transparency and will continue to do so. People like honesty and tactics that are destined to hard sell vilifies trust. A VR platform for influencer marketing ensures the consumer candour and truthfulness, and approachability.

Evaluating Followers

It is predicted that virtual reality will give rise to a number of tools that help one to quantitatively and qualitatively gauge the influence of an influencer in a particular market. Engagement time, post-engagement action, total reach and customer behaviour is expected to gain importance. This will have a major effect on influencer-consumer relationship.

This said, smartphone apps like Proxgy have now emerged and offer services like Proxgy for Influencers. This service provides a platform to influencers with large followings and allows them to connect and engage with their audiences in a unique way.

Technology is breaking a lot of barriers and with this one, influencers will have a much more personal role to play. Real-time content IS the future and is going to be the next step in the influencer marketing revolution.

A digital marketer & content creator with an extensive experience of 7 years working with my passion.