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What is Meta

How social media builds loyal fans
Facebook and the metaverse

It’s almost impossible today to open your favorite news app or to read about  technology companies and see someone talking about Meta. By extension, this often  includes conversations about the Metaverse. We thought we’d take a few moments  today to address the question, “What is Meta” and what it might mean for the future of  social media marketing. 

First, what is Meta? 

Facebook, the world’s largest social platform, launched in 2004. Founded by Mark  Zuckerberg, Facebook later purchased the visually-focused social media platform  Instagram in 2012. This purchase was then followed by Facebook buying WhatsApp in  2014 and finally Oculus, the biggest VR platform, in 2014. 

In 2021, Facebook (the parent organization) reorganized itself as Meta. Under that  umbrella falls each of their subsidiaries: Facebook (the platform), Instagram,  WhatsApp, and so on.  

Think of it in a Disney-like way: Disney owns Disney IPs such as Snow White and  Cinderella but also owns Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Marvel, ABC Networks, and so on. 

Why the name change? 

Mark Zuckerberg has big plans for the future of the internet. Those plans include the  expansion of the Metaverse, a term first coined by a novel called Snow Crash in 1992.  Akin to the movie Ready Player One, Snow Crash is a book about a VR-based world.  Social interactions, business, and more all take place within the Metaverse. 

Zuckerberg adopted this name for his VR platform, pulling the shortened name “Meta”  out for the newly reorganized company. 

What is the Metaverse? 

Is the Metaverse a VR-only platform? Does Sony’s upcoming PSVR2 headset connect  to the Metaverse? Will Apple’s rumored VR platform tie into it? 

To answer the last two questions plainly, no. They are their own VR ecosystems. The  Metaverse is the VR platform ran and operated by Meta utilizing the wide market share  that the company has through its Facebook and Instagram audiences. Like Sony, Meta  has its ecosystem with the Metaverse. 

Is it only a VR-based platform? For now, yes. You can’t log in to the Metaverse without  a new MetaQuest headset using your Facebook login credentials.  

Zuckerberg’s vision is that companies would host meetings via VR, gamers will game  through VR interactions, and people will hang out just like they do today with their app based social media platforms within the Metaverse. 

How does it help local businesses?

This question is the proverbial million-dollar question. There is a lot of speculation  surrounding the future of the Metaverse and its benefits. For now, there isn’t a huge  benefit to having a Metaverse storefront as the user base is relatively low compared to  traditional social media platforms. 

This may change. Read on. 

Should you claim your “spot” in the Metaverse today? 

This is the half-million dollar question and one that we’ll leave with a “please stand by.”  The reality is VR is a growing opportunity for businesses, and PlayStation 5 owners are  relatively hyped for the release of the next-generation PSVR2 headset. 

And if Apple ever gets around to releasing its rumored headset, that could be the step  that propels VR storefronts to the front of the public eye. 

As it stands, the Metaverse in 2022 is more of a niche. Our only recommendation to  proactively stake your spot in the Metaverse would be if your primary customer base is  a heavy MetaQuest user.  

Whether the Metaverse, LinkedIn, or another platform, we’re here to help! If there is one thing that’s consistent about Meta, its subsidiaries, as well as the other  social media platforms, it’s that they all need content. This can take many shapes and  forms, all of which we can help with. Remember, it’s important to stake your claim where your buyers are — that’ll give you  the most effective ROI. Let us know what your needs are and we’ll help develop a  marketing plan that’s right for your brand. Contact us today to get started!