What Brands & Influencers Need to Know About the Metaverse

The Metaverse has been on the top of minds and conversations of most people in the marketing space in the last few months. Ever since Mark Zuckerberg and Meta, ne’ Facebook, went all-in on VR to inflate stock prices because they had Oculus headsets to sell now, this seemingly new virtual world as a consumer and business reality has produced an explosion. Unfortunately, the explosion as been one of consultants and experts and specialty agencies telling brands and influencers that if they’re not in the Metaverse, they’re yesterday’s news.  Well, slow your roll there, though leader wannabes. The Metaverse is neat, but it’s not for everybody or every brand. And there’s still a lot of gap closing that needs to happen between consumer engagement there and brands solving the problem of how to drive that engagement.  Last month I dedicated most of my monthly email newsletter to sharing my honest thoughts on the Metaverse and how brands, consumers and influencers can use it. The piece was so well received one of my fellow thinkers in the space, Ted Rubin, used my rant as his email newsletter last week. It was the first newsletter in a long time that earned more than a couple of replies from subscribers, too. More than a dozen people reached out to say how excited they were to read it and how refreshing it was to have a realistic perspective on this new world to chew on.  Today on Winfluence, I’m going to share much of that piece with you. I’ve put it through the filter of it being used as a podcast script and tried to underline the influencer marketing implications a bit, so it’s a little different than the original.   But I’m going to give you my honest opinion of the Metaverse and how we can and should prioritize its use in today’s commentary. This episode is sponsored by Tagger, the complete influencer marketing solution. It has recently released a new product feature called Signals, which provides creator listening for its customers. Tagger president and founder Pete Kennedy joins Jason Falls to explain more about Signals. To see it for yourself and get a demo of Tagger, visit jason.online/tagger today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Om Podcasten

There's a different in having TikTokers and Instagrammers post about your brand and actually driving influence. Welcome to Winfluence - The Influence Marketing Podcast, where we explain the difference and help your brand shift from influencer marketing to influence marketing. Hosted by industry expert Jason Falls, acclaimed author of "Winfluence: Reframing Influence Marketing to Ignite Your Brand," this podcast takes you on a strategic journey through the world of influence marketing. Jason's wealth of experience ensures that your influence efforts are not just about buzz, but also about real, measurable business impact. And you'll learn that influence marketing (without the 'r') is more than just social media. It can involve offline influence, media, thought leaders, community members and beyond. 🎙️ Episode Highlights: Join us as we dive deep into enlightening conversations with a diverse range of guests, including brand managers, agency strategists, software vendors, and influencers themselves. Get ready to uncover the intricacies of the art and science behind influencing audiences to take action, whether that's trying, buying, or thinking differently. 🔥 What You'll Explore: 📊 Strategic Insights: Gain a new perspective on influence marketing by understanding how to align your influence efforts with concrete business objectives. From increasing brand awareness to driving tangible sales, we unveil the strategic keys to success. 🤝 Collaborative Brilliance: Delve into the secrets of successful collaborations as we chat with brand managers and influencers who have perfected the delicate dance of co-creation. Discover how authenticity, alignment, and creativity drive powerful partnerships. 🔬 The Influence Science: Explore the science behind influence, dissecting the psychological triggers that inspire action. Learn how to craft messages that resonate deeply with your target audience, prompting them to engage, purchase, and advocate for your brand. 🌐 Beyond Online Borders: Dive into the world of offline influence and discover how it complements digital strategies. Unearth the strategies that translate seamlessly from online to offline, creating a unified brand presence that captivates audiences across all touchpoints. 📚 Learn from the Best: Benefit from the wisdom of industry leaders who have mastered the delicate balance between utilizing influencers and creating genuine influence. Gain practical insights that empower you to create meaningful, lasting connections. 🚀 Stay Connected and Informed: If you're committed to turning influence into impact, Winfluence is your one-stop source of inspiration and knowledge. Subscribe now to receive a steady stream of episodes that will revolutionize the way you approach influencer marketing. 🎧 Where to Tune In: Listen to Winfluence wherever you get your podcasts or watch the show on its Tuesday streams at 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT on YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn and on @jasonfalls's Twitter stream. 📲 Engage and Connect: You can find Jason Falls on most social media platforms @jasonfalls or look for Winfluence on YouTube or Facebook.