You need to know your customers—this isn’t any news. It doesn’t matter if you want to make them more engaged, optimize your budget for campaigns, or improve your ROI.

Customer accurate information is at the heart of every company and should be treated correctly to generate powerful outcomes from your marketing efforts.

If you don’t have a consistent understanding of your consumers, then all your strategies will likely go down the drain.

But how exactly do you get to act like you know your customers? The answer is simple: by managing their data.

To treat data thoroughly and reach your customer relationship goals, you might come across the need to use the right technologies. This is when the Customer Data Platform (CDP) walks in.

A customer data platform monitors and tracks multiple data sources to bring relevant information to a single hub that is easy to access and understand.

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Once implemented, CDPs collect, integrate, manage, and analyze customer data continuously. These automated processes help many teams to focus on solving complex problems that require a human brain. At the same time, a Customer Data Platform brings current, real-time data to be leveraged and turned into marketing master plans.

What is a Customer Data Platform (CDP)?

A Customer Data Platform is not just another tech tool; it’s a strategic asset. CDPs gather and organize data from multiple channels, providing a unified view of customer interactions, preferences, and behaviors. This comprehensive profile enables businesses to engage customers with personalized, relevant content.

Examples of CDPs

• Salesforce CDP: Integrates data from sales, service, marketing, and commerce for a holistic customer view.
• Adobe Experience Platform: Offers real-time profiles and insights for personalized experiences.
• Segment: Focuses on data collection and management, facilitating deep analysis through various tools.

Why do companies use Customer Data Platforms?

Is there a reason why companies implement a Customer Data Platform in their business models? Yes, many.

According to Gartner, plenty of marketers look to customer data-driven strategies to deliver growth. For example, marketers invested two-thirds of their budget in supporting relationships with their customers in 2017 and 2018.

Still, they have found the technology they were using to be frustrating—until CDP’s unique upshots came out as a solution to their problems.

A Customer Data Platform reaches out for several channels and concentrates real-time data in a single place your team can access whenever it is convenient.

This stimulates a collaborative work environment and speeds the pace of operational routines. Customer Data Platforms are also known for making marketers’ lives less complicated since automating workflows would take too many working hours to be accomplished.

The other reason companies use Customer Data Platforms is that they are much more than a simple database. According to the CDP Institute, the ideal Customer Data Platform should contain five essential capabilities:

• Absorb data from any source
• Give full details of ingested data
• Store data without end and frequently
• Create unified profiles (such as personas)
• Share data with any system that needs it

All of the five skills above drive brands into having a vigorous understanding of their customer base by collecting and analyzing reliable data across their marketing channels.

How CDPs Reinvent Customer Relations

CDPs transform customer relations by offering segmentation opportunities, personalizing interactions, and enriching relationships. They enable agile responses to market changes and customer preferences, providing a competitive edge.

1. Segmentation Opportunities

CDPs provide a 360-degree customer view, essential for effective segmentation. This approach allows businesses to create tailored touchpoints, enhancing customer loyalty and profitability.

2. Personalization

Access to reliable data enables personalized interactions, making customers feel valued and fostering long-term relationships.

3. Enriching Relationships

Understanding customer habits and preferences allows businesses to build touchpoints that elevate the customer journey, increasing loyalty and engagement.

4. A CDP is agile

Agility layers can be used to shape CDP frameworks that adjust to your company’s infrastructure, turning data sharing into a reality. CDPs also absorb data from other internal systems, like CRMs and Data Management Platforms (DMPs), you might already have. Apart from that, CDPs update in real-time. This allows you to assess micro-moments data and instantly operationalize it.

5. A CDP ingests data from any source

A Customer Data Platform reaches out to any source of information, from Live Chats to SEO, from blogging to Twitter, from customer loyalty to affiliate marketing programs to provide your company with everything you know about your potential and current consumers.

6. A CDP elevates digital transformation

Digital-native companies have already built their business model based on data collection and responding to customers’ needs with high-level experiences.

These companies combine traditional marketing strategies, such as loyalty programs, with groundbreaking digital initiatives that connect with customers in real-time and engross their engagement.

What types of data does a Customer Data Platform assess?

The types of customer data assessed by a CDP can be quantitative and qualitative.

In other words, by using a CDP, you will be able to figure out:

• How to identify your customers, using personal data
• How to interact with your customers, using interactional data
• How customers expect to be impacted by experiences, using behavioral data
• How your customers perceive your brand, using attitudinal data

The datasets above are being generated at all times in any digital environment and should be combined to create an unbeatable and absolute customer understanding.

But how do CDPs gather such different information?

They reach out to analytics reports, engagement measures, support occurrences, eCommerce metrics, and customer feedback (to quote a few), to maximize your knowledge and equip you with fast, accurate moves.

This is the main reason why CDPs are revolutionizing the way brands communicate with customers and vice-versa. They are an unlimited and underlying base for companies to create remarkable customer experiences and increase customer engagement in a way we have never seen before.

The effects of CDP in customer experience

A Customer Data Platform grants companies an invincible competitive advantage: passionate customers who keep being fed with reasons to remain brand loyal.

Historically, we can see customers have adopted technologies faster than the brands they interact with. This made companies try to embrace digital transformation technologies focused on customer experience to reach out to consumers where they are and how they want.

Expanding your brand’s online presence to talk to customers in multiple channels isn’t enough, in any case. Any company can create an Instagram account and interact with its audience then and there, right?

However, the ones that truly stand out are focused on delivering personalized, relevant, well-designed interactions that take place as soon as customers want.

Tailored customer interactions should happen anywhere, at any time. This is the main reason why organizations around the world are digitizing their business models. According to the Boston Consulting Group Research, personalization will drive an $800 billion revenue shift to the top 15% of companies that work best on it, in only three industries.

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I know what you’re thinking: that’s much profit for a small number of companies—and yes, it is. Even so, it sounds like a warning: companies that aren’t ready to turn personalization ordinary in their marketing campaigns, will be left stranded.

As you know, doing a great job on personalization is all about knowing everything there is to know about your customers and quickly activating your knowledge when needed.

Can you notice any coincidences between this goal and the usage of a CDP?

How to Successfully Implement a CDP

Successful CDP implementation requires a strategic approach:

• Assess Business Needs: Identify goals and requirements to guide platform selection.
• Select the Right CDP: Choose a scalable solution that integrates seamlessly with existing systems.
• Plan Integration: Ensure smooth connections with CRM and marketing tools.
• Train Your Team: Equip staff with the skills to leverage the CDP effectively.
• Measure Success: Track KPIs to evaluate and refine strategies.

Align your digital initiatives with the power of a Customer Data Platform

While IT staff has been skeptical for a while, digital leaders worldwide have been engrossing CDP in their workflows and getting amazing results from data management automation.

Not only has perfect treating data been helping these leaders come up with customer-centric solutions, but it has optimized their budget and turned manual work more effective.

Forbes Insights highlighted that 44% of surveyed organizations stated a Customer Data Platform is helping drive customer loyalty and increase ROI.

Arena serves customers from 120 different countries and sees firsthand how the fast-paced digital environment influences global market changes day after day.

That is why we work to build awareness for digital leaders and marketers to embrace Customer Data Platforms in their full potential and boost customer engagement.

In case you need to further your research towards the CDP role for the upcoming years, download our Customer Data Platform 2020: the future of marketing and sales ebook and take a deeper dive.

Live stream ecommerce is the next big opportunity for ecommerce companies to drive more revenue. Live stream ecommerce is a way to transform online shopping into an entertaining event. Typically, a live stream ecommerce event has a specific (e.g., “new fashion”) and takes place live. It is appealing to customers because it lets them see the products in detail. In some cases, ecommerce brands are working with influencers to make their events more entertaining.

What Companies Are Using Live Stream Ecommerce?

Live stream ecommerce is an emerging way to engage customers that several companies are already using effectively.

• Facebook. In May 2021, Facebook announced “Live Shopping Fridays,” a series of events featuring Clinique, Abercrombie & Fitch, ZOX, and Sephora products. Each event focused on a different theme: Glow Up, New Fashion Finds, and Self Care Spotlight. The live ecommerce event was each scheduled for 90 minutes.
• Walmart. In December 2020, the retail giant partnered with TikTok creators to promote shopping. While Walmart did not disclose how many sales it earned, it grew its TikTok audience by 25%, according to TechCrunch.

So far, fashion and beauty brands have been the leaders in live stream ecommerce. It is only a matter of time before other ecommerce companies find a way to leverage this opportunity to grow.

Why Live Stream Ecommerce Matters

Offering a live stream ecommerce experience to customers is crucial because it creates an experience. Historically, ecommerce companies have struggled to create memorable events. Sure, ecommerce companies create annual sales events like Amazon Prime Day. However, discount-driven promotions have their limitations. You might not want to train your customers to expect a discount if you offer premium quality products.

By offering a live stream ecommerce event to customers, you can compete against in-person shopping more effectively. When a shopper goes to a store in person, they can touch and feel products. They can see the quality of the materials, colors, and more. In the ecommerce world, it is more challenging to encourage customers to look at products so deeply.

Offering a live stream ecommerce event is a way to make shopping at your ecommerce more exciting.

Tips for planning your first live stream ecommerce event

1. Choose a focus for the event

To make a live stream ecommerce event appealing to customers, it has to be specific. Here are a few ideas you can use to start your brainstorming process.

• Emphasize new products. Novelty is a tried and tested way to appeal to customers. Ask yourself: what new products or styles can we highlight?
• Seasonal trends. Look for seasonal opportunities to inform your event. A lingerie ecommerce company might schedule an event in early February to align with Valentine’s Day. An ecommerce brand aimed at school-age children might offer a “back to school” event in late August.
• Limited edition theme. Your company might have “limited editions” or premium versions of products. Consider promoting these events in your live stream event.

2. Look for influencers to invite

A live stream ecommerce event typically features an influencer. There are a few options to choose an influencer for the event. If your company founder has a large personal following on social media, you might be able to feature them in the event. In other cases, inviting an outside influencer to your campaign is a smart idea.

There are several platforms you can use to find influencers relevant to your campaign. Use the following tools to search for influencers.

•  Followerwonk. Looking for Twitter influencers? Followerwonk can speed up the process of searching for Twitter users with a significant following.
•  Klear. This tool makes it easy to search for influencers by audience size, skills, location, audience gender, and other factors.
• TikTok Creator Marketplace. Operated by TikTok, the marketplace makes it easier to search for content creators with a significant audience on TikTok.

Once you find a relevant influencer, negotiate the details of the event. For example, you might offer a fee to the influencer and a percentage of sales linked to the event.

3. Promote the event

Promoting the live stream ecommerce event is essential. Start by promoting the event to your audience of past customers and followers on social media. If you are working with an influencer, ask them to drive attendance to the event. As a rule of thumb, give yourself at least two weeks to promote the event.

4. Offer something unique to live stream event attendees

Your customers are busy and might not immediately see the appeal of a live stream ecommerce event. Make your event exciting by offering something unique that they cannot get anywhere else. You might decide to offer a discount code valid for 24 hours to those who attend the event. Alternately, you might offer customized products (e.g., get your name printed on the product) to people who attend the event.

Ask your influencer for ideas to make the event appealing as well. They already know what types of content works with their audience. For instance, they might commit to releasing a unique new video to people who attend the live stream event.

5. Use live chat in the event

There are two ways live chat makes a live stream ecommerce event more exciting.

• Encourage Community. Offering live chat makes it easy for customers to interact with each other and ask questions. Your guest influencer can answer questions during the event and change their approach. For example, guests might ask to see the product from different angles or see a product in a close-up. Responding to these requests during the event makes it more engaging.
• Boost Sales By Answering Questions. As customers watch the event, they are probably going to have plenty of questions. For example, customers might ask about clothing sizes and shipping times. Make it easy for customers to ask these questions in a live chat. Every customer question you answer increases the chances of a sale.

6. Choose your live stream ecommerce platform

There are two ways to run a live stream ecommerce platform: run it on your website or use a third-party platform. Each approach has its pros and cons.

• Using Your Website. You can use your website as a live stream ecommerce platform. For example, stream video from your website using YouTube or other tools and enhance the experience with Arena Live Chat. This approach is an excellent choice because potential customers are less likely to get distracted during the event. The disadvantage is that it takes some time to set up. In addition, you should also double-check that your website can handle a significant increase in web traffic during the event.
• Using A Third Party Website. The other option is to use a third-party website like Shoply, Facebook or TikTok. This option is a good choice if your website is not ready to handle a large amount of traffic. Shoply leverages Arena’s API to offer a great ecommerce customer experience. The downsides in choosing social network platforms are significant – live stream event attendees might get distracted by other updates on the platform and drift away from your event.

How Does Live Stream E-commerce Work?

Setting Up the Technology

Start with the right equipment—cameras, microphones, and streaming platforms. Choose a platform that aligns with your goals, whether it’s Facebook Live, Instagram, or a dedicated e-commerce site.

Engaging with the Audience

Interaction is key. Use live chat, polls, and quizzes to keep viewers engaged. Respond to comments and questions in real-time to personalize the experience.

Measuring Success

Post-event analysis is vital. Track engagement metrics, sales data, and customer feedback to evaluate the live stream’s effectiveness. Use these insights to refine future strategies.

Tips for Planning Your First Live Stream E-commerce Event

1. Choose a Focus for the Event

A specific focus makes the event appealing. Consider highlighting new products, seasonal trends, or limited editions to capture interest.

2. Look for Influencers to Invite

Influencers can boost your event’s reach. Platforms like Followerwonk and Klear help find the right influencer for your brand.

3. Promote the Event

Promote the event to past customers and social media followers. Collaborate with influencers to drive attendance.

4. Offer Something Unique

Entice attendees with exclusive offers, like a 24-hour discount code or personalized products.

5. Use Live Chat

Live chat enhances engagement. It encourages community interaction and boosts sales by answering customer questions instantly.

6. Choose Your Platform

Decide between hosting on your website or a third-party platform. Each option has its advantages, depending on your traffic capacity and audience preferences.

Types of Live Streaming Tools for E-commerce

Live Chat Integration

Tools like Arena’s Live Chat enable real-time viewer interaction, increasing conversion rates by addressing hesitations immediately.

Commerce AI

Personalization enhances the shopping experience. Commerce AI analyzes viewer behavior to offer tailored product recommendations.

Dynamic Live Blogging

Keep the momentum with dynamic live blogging, integrating videos, texts, and images for continuous engagement.

Get Ready For Your First Live Stream Ecommerce Event

Planning a successful live stream ecommerce event takes some time and effort to organize. Fortunately, adding live chat to your website is fast and straightforward. Sign up for a free trial of Arena Live Chat. Once you have a live chat in place, you will be on your way to planning your first live ecommerce event.

What Is Customer Engagement? 

Customer engagement can best be described as an ongoing interaction between a company and its customers. Practically, it refers to your company’s ability to keep up a conversation with your customer in the most efficient manner throughout the customer lifecycle.

Customer engagement entails frequent and effective communication with the customers. It is achieved when the communication channels offered by the company is accepted by the customers. Its effectiveness will be measured by the results the continued conversation yields.

Every business needs a customer engagement strategy to survive. In a competitive market, the ability of a business to connect with customers and keep the conversation going is critical to survival. With the right strategies and tools, customer engagement brings satisfaction to businesses and customers.

Why Is Customer Engagement So Important? 

Customer engagement is critical to business growth. In the very beginning, it helps to transform traffics into leads. The right customer engagement tools, like Arena Live Chat, will help to convert most of the leads into sales.

Customer engagement also plays a critical role in customer experience, which is an indispensable ingredient in customer retention. If a business is able to convert more leads into sales and make the right first impression, it will certainly lead to repeat sales. With several repeat business, the company can build customer loyalty.

In summary, customer engagement is considered very important for the following reasons:

• It will help drive your sales conversion and help you sell more
• It will help you reduce churn
• It will help increase customer satisfaction and retention
• It can help boost customer loyalty
• It will help you win back old customers.

How Can Customer Engagement Specifically Help Drive Sales Conversion? 

Engage and convince visitors to buy a product or service, or visit a physical office. This is the essence of a strategy. Here’s how engagement can increase sales:

• Keeps Customers Informed: Customers need information before purchasing. Engaging them improves conversion chances. Informed customers are more likely to return.
• Creates Brand Awareness: Engagement enhances awareness. When customers recognize your brand, it aids in purchases and renewals.
• Identifies Customer Needs: Engagement lets you assess customer needs and offer solutions. Creating value drives sustainable conversion.
• Opens Up Larger Orders: Engaged customers spend more. Engagement builds trust, leading to more purchases.
• Transforms Customers to Advocates: Happy clients become brand advocates, spreading the message and attracting more customers.

What Role Can Live Chat Play In Customer Engagement? 

Live Chat is an effective marketing tool that can play a significant role in customer engagement. Arena Live Chat, for instance, is an instant communication channel that you can add to your website to stimulate and generate real-time customer engagement.

Live Chat is undoubtedly one of the most effective ways to generate meaningful engagement. It is better than chatbots since it adds the much needed human factor to ongoing conversations with customers.

What Is Sales Conversion?

Sales conversion guides potential leads through a journey ending in a purchase. It’s about understanding customers’ needs and addressing them at every stage. Real-time chat assistance and personalized email campaigns are essential components of a successful conversion strategy.

Examples of Sales Conversion

• Real-Time Chat Assistance: Engage customers while they browse, offering immediate answers to their questions.
• Personalized Email Campaigns: Send targeted emails with product recommendations based on past purchases.
• Abandoned Cart Reminders: Nudge customers to complete their purchase with timely reminders.

Can Live Chat Really Help To Drive Sales Conversion? 

Yes, Live Chat can truly help to drive sales conversion. As we’ve established already, it is one of the most effective ways to generate meaningful customer engagement. Live Chat customer service will also boost sales conversion in the following ways:

• It delights customers
• It shortens the sales cycle
• It  facilitates upsells and cross-sells
• It brings some level of personalization to marketing

What Can You Do To Optimize Live Chat For Engagement And Sales Conversion? 

Implementing Live Chat will undoubtedly help you to generate engagement and drives your sales conversion. However, to get the right result, you will have to make the right decision with your Live Chat service. The first important thing is to choose the right Live Chat tool. Over the years, Arena Live Chat has helped several businesses benefit immensely from customer engagement.

In addition to choosing the right Live Chat tool, you need to customize your Live Chat to have the desired impact and bring the right benefits. There is a need to follow a protocol and create a template that is purpose-oriented. This is the only way to ensure that each Live Chat session with a customer is treated with the utmost regard.

Success Stories With Arena Live Chat 

As hinted above, the Arena Live Chat has helped several businesses to record meaningful success in their marketing. One outstanding case is the success story of Rogers Communication. The giant Communication and Media Company used Arena to increase customer engagement by more than 64%. Live Chat Roger also helped the company to achieve 28% customer retention and many more benefits.

Benefits of Optimized Sales Conversion and Customer Engagement

Optimizing conversion and engagement offers significant benefits:

• Increased Revenue: Guides customers through the buying process, boosting sales and profit margins.
• Enhanced Loyalty: Builds trust and fosters long-term relationships, leading to repeat business and advocacy.
• Improved Brand Awareness: Engaged customers share experiences, increasing awareness and reach.
• Better Insights: Provides data on behavior, helping refine strategies and tailor offerings.

How Does Arena Enhance Sales Conversion and Engagement?

Arena offers tools to enhance conversion and engagement. Features like real-time interaction and dynamic live blogs drive conversions and foster loyalty. Interactive polls and quizzes engage users, while AI capabilities ensure efficient moderation and content creation. Arena integrates seamlessly, providing analytics to track engagement and conversion rates.

How to Implement Arena for Maximum Impact

Integrating a new system can be daunting, but with Arena, the transition is smooth. Here’s how to maximize its impact:

Step 1: Assess Current Engagement Tools

Evaluate your current setup to identify gaps Arena can fill.

Step 2: Integrate Arena Features

Incorporate real-time chat and AI-driven content features for immediate interaction and personalized experiences.

Step 3: Monitor Performance Metrics

Use Arena’s analytics to track engagement and conversion rates, refining strategies based on insights.

Step 4: Customize User Experience

Create branded community spaces to enhance participation and foster belonging.

Endnote 

Customer engagement is a critical aspect of marketing. Among many things, it can help to drive sales conversion. As we’ve discussed here, Live Chat can play a significant role in boosting customer engagement and driving sales. You just need to choose the right tools and implement them the right way to derive the full benefits.

Are you ready to implement the best Live Chat service for your business?

Providing interesting content and community from the foundation of an exciting livestream chat. However, user experience (UX) factors matter a great deal. Without these factors, your audience might show up for a few minutes and then drift away.

Why Does UX Matter In Livestream Chat?

The Internet is full of compelling digital experiences. When you offer an experience to your audiences, you are competing with multiple other options like Netflix and Amazon. These digital platforms have invested heavily to make it easy to use their services. If your website feels slow or difficult to use, your audience will leave to enjoy a better user experience elsewhere.

1) Live Chat Readability Is A Must

Have you ever watched a foreign movie or TV show with captions? It can be a frustrating experience when those captions are the wrong color. When you struggle to understand the words, it isn’t easy to enjoy the experience.

The same principle applies to the live chat experience you offer during a livestream chat broadcast. Your live chat text has to be easy to use. To ensure live chat messages are easy to use, check for the following.

• High contrast. Black text on a white background is popular for a good reason. It is easy to read.
• Feature readability. Users should not struggle to tell the difference between various features like the main chat window and where they enter messages.

2) Offer More Than Text

Think of text messages in a livestream chat as table stakes: the minimum needed to offer. However, today’s users expect more. For example, iOS devices now support emojis, GIFS, and other advanced features. These features make it easy for your audience to express their feelings quickly during a fast-paced session.

Capabilities to look for include:

• Emojis. Visit; emojipedia to discover the wide variety of options available today include “face with tears of joy,” flags, sports symbols, and much more.
• Links. Offering live links can add to the live chat experience. However, keep in mind that suspicious or harmful links can be a problem, so advise users to exercise caution on using links.
• Images. Look at your options to include images in your live chat. For example, the livestream host might offer high-quality images to supplement the video stream.

3) Organize Replies And Threads

In a livestream event with hundreds of people, the live chat discussion can get complicated fast. In particular, it is vital to manage replies. When replies are well organized, your audience can easily decide which part of the conversation to participate in.

• Test how replies and threads work

Before your next major livestreaming event, organize a private livestream with your colleagues. This small event will give the chance to experiment with Arena live chat. Specifically, switch back and forth between joining existing threads and participating in the main chat.

Your audience might be unfamiliar with how to use live chat, mainly features like threads and replies. Near the start of your livestream, take a moment to explain how these features work with a coworker with a brief demonstration.

4) Plan to make conversions easy

When you offer a livestream event designed to sell products, UX matters as well. If users have to jump through multiple hoops to buy, conversions will suffer. Likewise, asking users to pick up a phone and call a phone number will cost you conversions. Instead, use features like conversion cards so people can convert without disrupting leaving the live chat.

UX tips to increase conversions

• Make focus easy. Giving your audience too many conversion choices (e.g., buy this product, sign up for our email list, follow us on social media) at the same time will only lead to confusion. It is best to focus on one conversion goal at a time. For example, encourage users to sign up for updates at the start of a session so that you retain your audience. When you start to present products in the livestream, focus on purchases.
• Use Conversion Cards. In Arena, you can create a conversion card, a graphic that will display in the event. You can choose the colors, images, copy, and landing page link. IF you have multiple conversion goals, create several conversion cards.

5) Boost Your Livestream Speed for a better user experience

Speed is tremendously essential in the online world. Slow speeds can make the event boring when users show up for a real-time content experience like a livestream. Offering a fast online experience can also improve your Google rankings as well.

There are a few ways to increase the speed of your livestream.

• Fast live chat software. Start by choosing a live chat service like Arena Live Chat designed for speed. For example, Arena is made to run on desktop, mobile, and Google AMP.
• Get insights from Google. Use Google’s free; PageSpeed Insights tool to measure your website’s overall speed. The tool will give you specific suggestions like properly sizing images to increase your website’s speed.

6) Be Responsive To Your Audience

Your audience comes to a livestream chat event because they are hungry for interaction. There are two ways to fulfill that need. Allowing users to chat with their friends in the chat is a good start. However, your event hosts are part of the story as well.

To ensure your event is responsive, keep these tips in mind.

• Look at the live chat and comment. Remind yourself to look at the live chat every few minutes. By responding to thoughtful comments, you’ll make your audience feel unique and valued.
• Use polls. Polls are a helpful tool to gain feedback about your audience’s interests quickly. For example, say you have a livestream eCommerce event planned, but you’re unsure which products to emphasize. You can use a poll with three options (e.g., t-shirts, dresses, shoes) so your audience can express their preferences.

Types of Live Stream Chat Experiences

Different chat formats offer varied engagement opportunities.

Text-Based Chat

Simple yet effective, text-based chat facilitates direct communication, widely adopted on Facebook Live.

Interactive Features

Polls, Q&A, and quizzes enrich experiences, providing insights into audience preferences. Use them to guide event content.

AI-Powered Chat Tools

AI tools automate moderation, ensuring respectful interactions. Arena’s AI filters inappropriate content, maintaining a positive environment.

Benefits of Enhancing Live Stream Chat

Optimizing chat brings significant advantages.

Increases Audience Engagement

Real-time interaction keeps viewers engaged, fostering longer viewing and deeper connections.

Improves Customer Satisfaction

Seamless chat experiences elevate satisfaction, crucial for live shopping events where user experience influences sales.

Drives Conversion Rates

Engaging chats boost conversions. Features like real-time product recommendations turn interest into purchases.

How Live Stream Chat Impacts User Experience

Live chat transforms interactions, creating immersive environments.

Real-Time Interaction

Instant connections make interactions personal, enhancing user experience.

Community Building

Chat fosters community, encouraging viewer interaction and loyalty.

Why Moderation Matters in Live Stream Chat

Moderation maintains a respectful chat environment. Arena’s AI moderation tools filter unwanted content, safeguarding brand reputation.

How to Optimize Live Stream Chat for User Engagement

Enhance chat with these strategies.

Implement Customizable Features

Reflect your brand’s uniqueness with customizable chat spaces, reinforcing identity.

Utilize AI-Powered Moderation

Filter spam and negativity with Arena’s AI tools, ensuring a welcoming environment.

Integrate Seamlessly with Social Media

Expand reach by linking chat to social platforms, boosting engagement.

7 Tips for Improving Live Stream Chat UX

Create a beloved chat experience with these tips.

Prioritize User-Friendly Design

Keep interfaces intuitive for all users.

Facilitate Easy Interaction

Incorporate quick replies and media sharing for seamless participation.

Encourage User Participation

Engage with polls and quizzes, gaining valuable feedback.

Monitor Performance with Analytics

Use Arena’s analytics to refine strategies and optimize engagement.

Personalize the Experience

Tailor interactions with user data, making viewers feel valued.

Enhance Real-Time Connectivity

Ensure minimal delay for fluid conversations.

Provide Training for Moderators

Equip moderators with skills for effective chat management.

Launch Your First Live Chat For Free

You can have a live chat app installed on your website in less than an hour and offer a livestream event. Click here to start your Live Chat free trial. You’ll have two weeks to use it for free to engage your audience and get more conversions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the world that traditional education needs to change. Online universities, distance courses, and other online programs have proven themselves. Find out how to use educational technology and online instruction delivery methods to improve access to education.

What is Distance Learning?

Distance education is best understood in contrast to traditional classes. Since the 19th century, school teachers have stood before their students to lecture. Access to education improved, and literacy rates increased in many countries.

Distance education is the learning approach for the 21st century. This new model emphasizes online learning tools and digital resources to engage students. It combines both synchronous learning options (e.g., live chat and video conferencing) and asynchronous learning (e.g., digital textbooks, assignments, and videos).

Benefits of Online Education at a Distance

Flexibility in Learning

Online education allows students to learn at their own pace and schedule, accommodating work, family, and other commitments. This flexibility empowers students to pursue their education without sacrificing other important aspects of their lives.

Personalized Learning Experiences

Digital platforms enable personalized learning experiences, tailoring content to individual learning styles and paces. This approach can improve comprehension and retention, leading to better educational outcomes.

Cost-Effectiveness

Online education reduces the need for physical infrastructure, lowering costs for both institutions and students. Savings on commuting, housing, and materials make education more accessible to a wider audience.

Expansive Course Offerings

Institutions can offer a broader range of courses and specializations, attracting diverse student populations. This variety enriches the educational experience and provides more opportunities for students to pursue their interests.

Enhanced Digital Skills

Participating in online education naturally enhances students’ digital literacy, preparing them for a tech-driven world. These skills are invaluable in today’s job market, where digital competency is often a prerequisite.

Types of Online Education at a Distance

Understanding the different types of online education can help tailor approaches to suit institutional needs.

Synchronous Learning

Synchronous learning involves real-time classes using video conferencing tools. Students and instructors meet at scheduled times for interactive sessions, allowing immediate feedback and discussion.

• Examples: Live lectures via Zoom, real-time group discussions, and interactive Q&A sessions.

Asynchronous Learning

Asynchronous learning offers flexibility, allowing students to access course materials at their convenience. Pre-recorded lectures, readings, and assignments can be completed on the student’s schedule.

• Examples: Pre-recorded video lectures, online discussion boards, and self-paced quizzes.

Hybrid Learning

Hybrid learning combines synchronous and asynchronous methods, providing a balanced approach. Students benefit from structured classes while enjoying on-demand content flexibility.

• Examples: Weekly live discussions complemented by pre-recorded lectures and online assignments.

Steps to Creating Your Distance Online Education Program

Even as the COVD-19 threat fades away, offering various forms of distance learning is worthwhile. Increased affordability and flexibility are some of the key benefits of distance learning.

Step 1: Assess Your Institution’s Goals and Challenges

Like decisions around class size and evaluations of instruction, adding distance learning to your school takes careful thought.

Faculty Capabilities

Explore the faculty time investments required to convert in person courses to a virtual format. Don’t assume faculty digital fluency levels are all at the same level. Faculty support teams, especially when leveraging new technology, can play a critical role.

Supports For Students

In addition, examine your current ecosystem of learner supports like tutors, librarians and other services to evaluate if they are ready for a digital world.

Student Body Profile

Finally, look at your institution’s history. There’s a big difference between a college that has had generation of distance education experience like Athabasca University and a college new to this challenge. Check whether your students include a significant number of parents or working professionals who may need different help from campus support teams.

Step 2: Select Your Distance Education Platform

Selecting the right mix of educational technology often ranks as one of the top challenges for institutions. The specific mix of tools you select will depend on the educational delivery modes you have adopted.

In general, there are a few types of tools required to provide an effecting educational experience to students.

• Learning management systems (LMS). This is the online tool where faculty can boost additional resources, respond to discussion questions and accept homework.
• Video conferencing tool. Video calls are a crucial tool in many types of courses, especially courses that emphasize discussions and debates.
• Real time engagement tools. Adopting tools like Arena Live Chat or Live Blog go a long way toward making students feel more engaged in the learning process.

You will find a good example in Pecege Institute. It leverages Live Chat to keep students and educators engaged for its own online courses and white label products to its business clients.

Step 3: Create Your Distance Education Plan

The next step is to engage your faculty members, students and other stakeholders to discuss what kinds of courses to offer in a remote format. Use the following prompts to identify courses and programs suitable for online learning:

• What courses and programs are unsuitable for online learning (e.g. medicine and science courses requiring lab work)?
• What types of courses have been successfully offered online in other colleges?
• What courses are students and faculty most interested in offering in a virtual format (e.g. the business school might already have part time commuter students who would love an online option)?

Step 4: Set Up Your Learning Support Team

Once you have a clear picture of which courses will be offered in an online format, set up your support staff. At a minimum, it is best to have a team of educational technology specialists on call to provide support. Ideally, the support team will also contribute suggestions to help faculty find success.

Step 5: Launch Your Online Education Course

With the preparations in place, invite your faculty members to start building their course in your institution’s learning management system. When you first launch remote learning, it’s normal to experience some glitches. It’s all part of the remote learning experience!

Step 6: Assess The Remote Learning Experience For

As an educational institution, it’s vital to learn from your own experience. To that end, set up surveys with each course to find out what worked and what could be improved. For example, you might find that some students wanted more opportunities to ask questions and fewer long course videos.

How Does Arena Enhance Online Education?

Arena enhances online education by providing interactive tools designed to boost engagement and improve learning outcomes. Here’s how:

Real-Time Interaction Tools

Arena’s real-time chat and live blogging features facilitate live discussions and Q&A sessions, creating dynamic virtual classrooms. These tools mimic the interactivity of in-person classes, keeping students engaged and connected.

Interactive Content Features

Arena allows educators to integrate polls, quizzes, and multimedia content into their courses. These interactive elements break the monotony of traditional lectures, making learning more enjoyable and effective.

AI-Powered Insights

Arena’s advanced analytics provide valuable insights into student behavior and engagement. Institutions can use this data to tailor their strategies, ensuring they meet students’ needs and improve learning outcomes.

Community Building

Arena fosters a sense of community among students, encouraging interaction and collaboration. This social aspect is crucial for maintaining motivation and engagement in an online learning environment.

Keep Teacher-Student Interaction At The Heart Of Education

As we conclude, it’s worth remembering that college and university is fundamentally a social experience. Students sign up for courses because they want the chance to make friends, learn from respected teachers and join an interesting community. To that end, your suite of educational technology needs to support interaction. Find out how Arena’s educational solutions enrich your courses and programs with deeper student engagement.

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Even though content walls sound conceptually simple, building them requires you to sit down and align the content strategy with editors and content producers and with design, IT, and social media teams.

What is a Content Wall?

A content wall is a digital barrier that restricts access to certain content on your website. It acts like a velvet rope at an exclusive club, allowing only those who pay or provide information to pass. Common types include:

• Paywalls: Require payment for access.

• Subscription Models: Offer access to subscribers.

• Data Capture Forms: Ask for user information in exchange for content.

Imagine running a news site with exclusive interviews or in-depth reports. A content wall lets you monetize this premium content, turning casual readers into paying subscribers.

Benefits of Implementing Content Walls

Content walls offer numerous benefits:

• Revenue Generation: Monetize content through direct payments or subscriptions.

• Data Collection: Gather valuable first-party data for audience insights.

• Audience Segmentation: Tailor content and offers to specific user groups.

• User Engagement: Encourage deeper engagement and longer session times.

Implement Successful Content Walls Using These Steps 

1. Create a publishing plan for your content walls

An excellent editorial plan for a content wall should have a mix of timely and “evergreen” content. 

Timely content means “breaking news” – topics people are excited about this month. For example, a sports publisher might feature interviews with a sports team after they win a major championship.

In comparison, evergreen content are topics that are likely to be relevant for months or years to come. For example, an evergreen content idea might include spring cleaning tips in a lifestyle publication.

2. Research content ideas

For your content wall to succeed, it needs to offer interesting content that your audience is interested in. To give your content the best chance of succeeding, use research tools to get new ideas. Here are three free Google tools you can use.

Google Trends – see what topics people are searching for! Remember to try several variations on your keywords (i.e. not just “laptops” but also “personal computers”)

Google Alerts – set up alerts for topics relevant to your website or publication. 

Google Keyword Planner – this free tool is created for advertisers who want to advertise products and services on Google. However, you can also use this tool to estimate how many people are interested in different keywords.

After using these tools, your team can prioritize content that will go on the content wall and even have ideas for new content sections. 

Tip: Get inspiration from your competition 

You don’t have to work from a blank page. Take a look at your top 3-4 competitors and see what kidneys of content they are publishing. Use a tool like BuzzSumo to see which content has gone viral on social media.

Once you spot some interesting ideas, look for ways to add your own perspective to it. For example, can you offer your audience more recent data, better photos or approach the topic from a different angle? 

Let’s say you run an entertainment news website. You use BuzzSumo and see that a  competitor create an article on the richest actors in America. There are plenty of ways you could approach that idea with a new angle. For instance, you might focus on the most successful standup comedians, athletes or simply look at a different country (e.g. the most successful  British actors)

3. Repurpose your existing content

Creating some original content for your content wall is smart, but you can also repurpose existing content. Let’s say you are creating a content wall for the most popular golf courses in America. You might already have photos and articles on five great golf courses. In that case, adapt those existing content assets and put them into your content wall.

Tip: To maximize your SEO traffic, avoid copying and pasting older content entirely. Instead, take a few minutes to update any content that was published over a year ago before putting it in your content wall.

4. Be thoughtful about content categorization 

Clear categorization of content is a key reason why content wall is valuable. So, spend some time think about the best categories for your content wall. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind.

Start with audience interests

Whether you use surveys, online analytics or other means, use content categories that match the words that your audience uses. IF your audience loves to use specialized jargon, then use those terms on your content wall.

Adjust to fit your capacity and business goals.

A content wall can be take hours or weeks to create depending on its complexity. When you first get started with a content wall, we recommend keeping it simple. Start with three to five categories.

As you finish your content wall plan, verify that your concept advances your business goals. If you need to maximize user time on site to grow ad revenue, keep in mind the topics and feedback you receive from advertisers. If you are focused on lead generation, make sure there is some space for lead generation calls to action inside the content wall.

5. Choose a flexible content management tool

Publishing content walls gets much easier when you have the right tool. The content management system (CMS) you choose should support multiple users (i.e. several journalists and editors at the same time). In addition, the CMS should make it easy to plan, create, publish, and update content.

If you’re building a short list of content management systems to run your content wall, make sure you include the Arena Content Wall.

6. Pay attention to design and usability

A content wall features many different pieces of content. Without proper design and usability, it is easy for your users to get lost and confused. 

To maximize engagement, keep in mind that your content wall should be easy to skim. Generally, the fewer clicks it takes to get to the content from the homepage, the better. You want people to find it quickly so they stay on your site longer. 

In terms of design, take inspiration from digital magazines and social media feeds. While these sources can give you inspiration, your content wall should also match your brand’s look and feel.

7. Track your critical business KPIs

After you build and publish your content wall, measure your key marketing metrics to see if it is resonating with your market. In particular, check the following metrics.

Unique visitors

Track how many visitors check out the content wall and compare this to other parts of your website.

Traffic source

Monitor how you are getting visitors to the content wall (i.e. social media mentions, links on other websites etc).

User behavior

Find out what else website visitors do after seeing your content wall. For example, you might want visitors to sign up for email updates. If most users leave your website immediately after viewing your content wall, you may want revisit and update your links and navigation.

8. Work on personalization

Besides having an exciting content wall that looks appealing to a heterogeneous audience, publishers should find tools that recognize each person and provide personalized experiences based on their unique interests and navigation patterns. 

After categorizing content contextually, it’s time to design targeted experiences around it. For instance, they could involve personalized messages, push notifications, or a personalized newsletter for clusters of customers. By addressing each customer’s specific interests, you can boost engagement and customer loyalty.

9. Optimize distribution

Now that you’ve created your content walls, it is essential to market them in different distribution channels. Your team should consider different profiles of customers and the stage of their relationship with your brand. Are they already subscribers? Have they just accessed your website for the first time? Different stages require different approaches, but some strategies can work across different profiles. 

Internal links

Your website should have a healthy number of links pointing people toward your content wall. Internal links show your audience and search engines that your content is essential.

Referral Traffic

Contacting other websites to tell them about your new content wall is a great way to gain traffic today and build relationships for the future. Your team can build relationships with sites and brands that share an expected audience with your company, to drive referral traffic to your website through their channels as well.

Partnerships and endorsements

Endorsements and partnerships might be tricky for publishers because they need editorial independence. However, sponsorships are not always harmful. Imagine a newspaper that has an entrepreneurship section on a content wall. Why not have a rising startup endorse and promote the section in their channels during an arranged period? The partner will undoubtedly be happy to be featured in the paper, while it can get new sources of traffic.

Paid media 

If you want to reach audiences outside your existing customer base, it might be interesting to invest in social ads targeted at specific communities you want to attract. Keep in mind that paid media promotion can be very costly so you may only want to invest in this type of distribution for your most impressive content walls.

Conclusion

Content walls are a powerful way to attract visitors from the search engines and keep your audience engaged. Use the tips in this guide to plan a content wall that drives your business forward. 

To get started with content walls, check out Arena’s Content Wall solution.

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Programmatic advertising is the use of advertising technology to automate the buying and selling of online ad space across the web, mobile, apps, video, and social media, offering a sophisticated, data-driven approach to monetization. To harness its full potential, publishers must employ effective strategies and the correct tools. 

Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to increase programmatic earnings and enhance website revenue.

1. Optimize Ad Placement and Layout

Ad placement and layout significantly impact user engagement and, consequently, revenue. Consider these best practices:

• Above the Fold: Place ads in areas visible without scrolling to capture immediate attention.
• In-Content Ads: Embed ads within the content for higher visibility and engagement.
• Responsive Design: Ensure ads are mobile-friendly and adapt to various screen sizes seamlessly.

1.1. Improve Below-the-Fold Performance

Below-the-fold ads often suffer from lower viewability, but there are ways to enhance their performance:

• Infinite Scroll: Implement infinite scrolling to keep users engaged and bring below-the-fold ads into view.
• Engaging Content: Place engaging and interactive content near below-the-fold ads to encourage scrolling.

2. Leverage Header Bidding

Header bidding allows multiple demand sources to bid on ad inventory simultaneously, increasing competition and driving up prices. Implementing header bidding can yield higher CPMs (Cost per mile, the amount an advertiser pays a website per one thousand impressions). compared to traditional waterfall setups.

• Unified Auction: All demand partners bid in real-time, maximizing revenue potential.
• Increased Competition: More bidders lead to higher bids and better fill rates.

3. Utilize Data Segmentation and Targeting

Personalized ads perform better. Use data segmentation to target specific audience segments with relevant ads.

• Demographic Data: Target ads based on age, gender, and location.
• Behavioral Data: Leverage browsing history and user interests for more personalized ad delivery.
• Contextual Targeting: Match ads with relevant content on your site to increase engagement and click-through rates.

4. Improve Page Load Speed

Page load speed is critical for user experience and ad viewability, and recent studies indicate that bounce rates soar to 53%  if a page takes as little as 7 seconds to load. Faster-loading pages ensure ads are seen and engaged with promptly.

• Optimize Images and Videos: Compress media files to reduce load times.
• Minimize HTTP Requests: Streamline website code and use asynchronous loading for scripts.
• Leverage Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): Distribute content across global servers for faster delivery.

5. Employ Ad Refresh Strategies

Ad refresh strategies can significantly boost ad impressions without negatively impacting user experience. Some of the approaches to ad refresh are: 

• Time-Based Refresh: Refresh ads after a certain period.
• Engagement-Based Refresh: Refresh ads when users interact with the page (e.g., scroll or click).

6. Enhance Viewability Metrics

Ad viewability is a key metric for advertisers, and higher viewability rates attract premium advertisers and increase bids. 

• Above the Fold Placement: Ensure a significant portion of ads is above the fold.
• Sticky Ads: Use ads that remain visible while users scroll.
• Lazy Loading: Load ads only when they are about to come into view.

7. Diversify Demand Partners

Working with multiple demand partners increases competition for your ad inventory, driving up CPMs.

• Ad Exchanges: Partner with various ad exchanges to access a broader range of demand sources.
• Private Marketplaces (PMPs): Engage in direct deals with premium advertisers for higher CPMs.

8. Implement Advanced Reporting and Analytics

Regularly monitor and analyze ad performance to make data-driven decisions.

• Real-Time Analytics: Use tools that provide real-time insights into ad performance.
• A/B Testing: Test different ad formats, placements, and strategies to identify what works best.
• Performance Metrics: Track metrics like CPM, CTR (click-through rate), and fill rate to optimize campaigns continuously.

9. Ad Quality and User Experience

Ensure that ads do not detract from the user experience. Intrusive or irrelevant ads can drive users away.

• Ad Quality Control: Use ad networks that prioritize high-quality ads.
• User Feedback: Collect user feedback to understand the impact of ads on user experience.
• Frequency Capping: Limit the number of times a user sees the same ad to prevent ad fatigue.

10. Stay Updated with Industry Trends

The programmatic advertising landscape is dynamic. Stay informed about industry trends and innovations.

• Industry Conferences: Attend conferences and webinars to learn about the latest advancements.
• Professional Networks: Join industry groups and forums to exchange insights with peers.
• Continuous Learning: Invest in training and certifications for your team to keep their skills up-to-date.

By implementing these strategies, publishers can effectively increase their programmatic earnings, ensuring a sustainable and lucrative revenue stream for their websites. The key lies in continuous optimization, leveraging data, and maintaining a balance between ad revenue and user experience.

To make sure that your ad strategy has a solid foundation, it is important to count on a reliable and easy-to-use tool that concentrates all of your website advertisement resources to maximize your monetization goals. Arena has a robust dashboard that connects with your Google Ads account to help you streamline your monetization strategies, all while gaining deep insights into your audience’s preferences. 

Learn more about how Arena can help you monetize your website!

In today’s digital landscape, both internet personalities and companies are vying for audience attention across various platforms. Influencers leverage social media (SoME) and video content, while businesses use websites and other digital tools to engage with their target audience. With this intense competition, creating a robust monetization strategy for your website is crucial to stand out and generate revenue effectively.

The Rise of Social Media and Video Content

Social media platforms and video content have revolutionized how we consume information. Influencers use platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to build large followings and engage with their audience in real-time. Companies, too, have embraced these platforms to create compelling content that resonates with their audience, from product launches to customer engagement campaigns.

According to the research Publisher Trends Report, conducted by Echoboxv and published in 2023, the publishing industry claimed that creating video content (47%) is one of their priorities for the next few months, coinciding with a surge of publishers focusing on TikTok (59%). 

While social media offers a dynamic way to connect with audiences, it also means that users’ attention is divided across various channels. This fragmentation makes it essential for website owners to implement strategies that not only attract visitors but also convert them into loyal customers or engaged followers.

Developing a Monetization Strategy for Your Website

To successfully monetize your website, consider integrating multiple revenue streams. Here are some effective strategies:

1. Ad Revenue with Google AdSense: Google AdSense allows you to display ads on your website and earn revenue when visitors interact with them. By integrating Google AdSense, you can take advantage of Google’s extensive ad network, ensuring relevant ads are displayed to your audience, thereby increasing the likelihood of clicks and revenue. Arena’s features also allow you to integrate your Google AdSense with Live Blog, therefore increasing your earnings and maximizing your monetization strategy.
2. Lead Generation with Conversion Cards: Conversion Cards are tools that help you capture leads directly on your website. By offering valuable content or services in exchange for contact information, you can build a database of potential customers. This strategy is particularly effective for businesses looking to nurture leads through email marketing or other follow-up activities.
3. Boosting Organic Traffic with SEO: Frequent updates and high-quality content are key to attracting organic traffic from search engines. Implementing a robust SEO strategy ensures your website ranks higher in search results, driving more visitors to your site. High organic traffic not only increases ad revenue but also improves the chances of lead conversion.
4. Content Marketing and Affiliate Marketing: Creating valuable content that addresses your audience’s needs can establish your website as an authority in your niche. By incorporating affiliate links into your content, you can earn commissions on products or services recommended to your audience. This approach works well for influencers and companies alike, providing a passive income stream while adding value to your readers.
5. Offering Premium Content or Memberships: If your website provides specialized content, consider offering premium content or membership subscriptions. This model works well for websites that offer exclusive insights, in-depth analyses, or premium tools and resources. By charging a subscription fee, you create a steady revenue stream while providing additional value to your most dedicated users.
6. Hosting Virtual Events: Virtual events, such as webinars, live Q&A sessions, or online workshops, can attract a large audience and generate revenue through ticket sales or sponsorships. Using tools like Arena’s Live Blog, you can seamlessly integrate live coverage of events on your website, enhancing user engagement and providing real-time updates.
7. Data Monetization: Collecting and analyzing customer data allows you to tailor your content and marketing strategies more effectively. While ensuring compliance with data protection regulations, you can use this first-party data to offer personalized experiences, improving user satisfaction and engagement, which can lead to increased revenue opportunities.

Combining Strategies for Maximum Impact

To maximize your website’s revenue potential, consider combining several of these strategies. For example, integrating Google AdSense with frequent content updates can boost ad revenue while driving organic traffic. Simultaneously, offering premium content or virtual events can provide additional revenue streams.

By leveraging the right tools and strategies, you can create a comprehensive monetization plan that not only competes effectively in today’s crowded digital space but also provides sustainable growth for your website. Whether you’re an influencer or a company, a well-thought-out monetization strategy is key to turning your digital presence into a profitable venture.

Learn how you can enhance your digital monetization strategies by leveraging a powerful no-code tool that helps you boost traffic, engage viewers and facilitate ad placements on your website. Find out how Arena Live Blog can help boost your monetization strategy.

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The Metaverse is an exciting new development for marketers and brands. Creating immersive experiences and mixed reality experiences on metaverse platforms means a greater opportunity to deliver a personalized experience to customers. 

In the short term, the metaverse customer experience will likely require a virtual showroom, a virtual reality headset, and other resources to create a compelling digital realm. Right now, online games are dominating this type of Internet experience but that will change over time. Arena has this great article with tips to set you up for the metaverse.

Three Ways To Grow Revenue With A Metaverse Concept

Before investing significant resources in interactive content and virtual environments, let’s get clear on the business value of the metaverse. This type of virtual space is at an early stage of development but business leaders have already found a few opportunities.

1. Entertainment

Online games and extended reality – remember the Pokemon Go craze of 2016? – are the first way brands can earn revenue from digital reality. For example, gaming technology companies are already working on creating entertainment experiences for online avatars. Gaming isn’t right for every brand, however.

2. Sell Digital Products

Creating a highly entertaining consumer experience isn’t your only option. You can also offer digital products like non-fungible tokens (NFTs). For example, imagine creating exclusive NFTs and other virtual products to celebrate a product launch. 

3. Augment Your Marketing Strategies

Immediate revenue generation may not be your primary focus. Instead, you can use the digital environment to grow customer loyalty or better understand your prospects. Increasingly, concerns over privacy rights mean brands have to work harder to convince brands to share data. Offering a novel experience, even a straightforward virtual mall, is a powerful way to get started.

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In the rest of this post, we’ll focus on the third strategy – using the metaverse to boost your marketing strategies – since that approach is relevant to most brands.

Why Do You Need A CDP In The Metaverse?

There is a lot of hype around metaverse technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, and virtual worlds. Video game and entertainment companies are early adopters of the Metaverse because there is an easy fit with their business model. If you’re not in the entertainment business, the metaverse is still relevant as a way to enhance your marketing.

Driving business results from the metaverse becomes far easier when you use a Customer Data Platform (CDP). There is no simple way to track which customers and prospects engage with metaverse content without it. 

Integrating a metaverse concept with your customer data platform is the best way to go. In this situation, you can track user activity from your website, the metaverse, and elsewhere. You’re able to measure what kind of people find your metaverse content engaging. Most importantly, you get faster feedback on user behavior. That means you can iterate and optimize your metaverse experiences faster and reach your return on investment goals.

Attaining a profitable metaverse experience starts with creating the proper foundation. Before you purchase virtual reality hardware or consulting, set up your customer data platform foundation first.

Preparing For A Profitable Metaverse Experience

Use these tips to get ready for the Metaverse. The first few steps of the plan do not directly involve the Metaverse by design. Jumping into a metaverse experience without first establishing a foundation is a recipe for wasting time and money.

1. Review Your Marketing Goals and Key Performance Indicators

Start with your marketing goals and KPIs in mind before everything else. Your goals will likely include the following:

• Lead Generation. You may have a defined KPI like the number of marketing qualified leads (MQLs), email subscribers, app installs, or free trial sign-ups.
• Audience Growth and Engagement. For most companies, this goal indirectly contributes to lead generation.
• Sales. Ecommerce companies may be focused on metrics like average order value and customer lifetime value.

Once you have your goals in mind, let’s look at how your customer data supports those goals.

2. Assess Your Customer Data

There are three dimensions to assess your current customer data: quantity, quality, and utility. By optimizing all of these factors, you can grow faster.

• Customer Data Quantity. Count the number of customer profiles you have in your databases. Ensure you check all of your tools and apps like email, customer relationship management, and live chat.
• Customer Data Quality. The quality of your customer data also matters. For example, do you have processes to test the data? Remove duplicates and errors? Without quality control, it won’t be easy to run effective campaigns.
• Customer Data Utility. This dimension refers to the capacity of your organization to use customer data to achieve your goals. Using Arena CDP, you can see your customer data from multiple sources in a single place, making the data much more valuable.

3. Analyze Your Content and Engagement

Engaging content and ideas are crucial to achieving success in the Metaverse. You can save time in the content creation process by reviewing your current performance. Use the following techniques to identify high-performing content.

• Website Analytics. Check which content has the most page views and user engagement. Based on these insights, you can come up with ideas for metaverse experiences.
• Customer Feedback. Survey customers about which content they are most interested in.
• Social Media Analytics. Measure the number of likes, comments, and other engagement factors on your main social media accounts.

From the above sources, you should be able to come up with at least 5-10 ideas that can inform your approach to the Metaverse.

4. Set Up A Customer Data Platform On Your Website

The next step is to set up a customer data platform on your website. Leveraging Arena Personas makes it easy to create a single customer profile that covers Google Analytics, Facebook, chat, mobile and other platforms. Adding it to your CDP will lay a good foundation for your metaverse marketing program.

5. Add Live Chat To Your Website

Once your customer data platform is fully set up, it is crucial to make your website more interactive. To achieve that goal, consider installing Arena Live Chat. Live Chat is valuable because it makes it easier for customers to ask questions and get answers fast. Most users can install Arena Live Chat in 5-10 minutes.

6. Test Metaverse Content Ideas Through Virtual Events

At this point, you are ready to start your metaverse experience planning process. You have a strong marketing foundation in place. In addition, going through step 3 should have given a few ideas of the kinds of content your customers are most interested in.

Now, start planning a virtual event experience with metaverse technologies. To inspire your approach, seek inspiration from these events in the metaverse.

• Augmented World Expo USA (June 2022). With 5,000 attendees, this event explores the metaverse from several angles. Look into the event’s speakers to see some of the newest trends.
• Metaverse Global Congress (June 2022). Based in San Jose, the Congress event covers experiential marketing, monetization, and training topics. The Congress event also includes events aimed at metaverse beginners.

7. Create A Metaverse Pilot Project

Now you are ready to start preparing metaverse pilot project ideas. Most companies find it easier to enter the Metaverse on an event basis. That is the approach that we recommend as well. Designing a metaverse experience that runs for a few hours to a few days is much more manageable.

8. Enhance The Conference Experience.

You may already be planning an event or company conference. In that case, look for ways to bring some of your panels or discussions into the metaverse context.

9. Experiment With Gaming Style Experiences

Gaming companies have the most experience in creating metaverse experiences. Therefore, creating a branded game could be a simple way to get started. For example, a homeware company might work with; The Knights of Unity to create a branded experience. The company has created a virtual world where users can buy, build and decorate homes.

10. Experiment With Exclusive Products

Earlier, we mentioned the example of Gucci selling exclusive products through the Metaverse. If your company has a new product release planned, launching the product through a metaverse world might help to generate additional excitement.

Once you have selected your metaverse idea, you can move ahead to launch the event.

11. Run The Event

Thoroughly planning a metaverse event goes beyond the scope of this post. Instead, we are going to focus on the marketing implications. Before, during, and after the event, users should have multiple opportunities to visit your website, ask for more information and make purchases. All of this activity should be tracked through your customer data platform so that you can follow up afterward.

In addition, your customers may need additional support because the Metaverse is still relatively new. For example, customers may have difficulties using virtual reality hardware. In this case, providing technical support on your website with Arena Live Chat is smart. Otherwise, confused customers may give up and leave your event if they cannot get the support they need.

12. Evaluate The Metaverse Event With Your Customer Data Platform

Finally, take some time to evaluate the metaverse event using your customer data platform. Refer back to the marketing goals and key performance indicators you outlined in step one of this process. If you did not generate new leads or sales, you have achieved other benefits like increased loyalty.

Lay Your Metaverse Foundation With Arena Personas Today

Whether you join the Metaverse today or in a few years, it is vital to act now to prepare for the event. Arena Personas helps you to create data-driven user profiles so that you can fine-tune your CDP towards marketing.

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Social gaming is becoming popular with today’s social players. The days of being forced to play video games by yourself are over. Today’s social players have other options. Many gaming platforms have added text-based chat, voice chat, and other game communication options.

6 Popular Online Games With In-Game Chat

The best way to how the gaming industry is using chat messages, private chat, and more is to take a look at some of the most popular games. 

1. Facebook Gaming

Facebook Gaming launched in 2020, and it has quickly become one of the most popular choices for social players. Today, Facebook Gaming supports many of the most popular titles in the gaming industry like Grand Theft Auto V, PUBG Mobile, Garena Free Fire, and Mobile Legends. The platform supports both PC and mobile device games at this time.

Facebook Gaming is successfully driving higher engagement in a few ways. The platform features games that are already popular. The top three most popular games on the platform have 40 million followers. In addition, the platform supports gaming tournaments and charity events. These 

So far, Facebook Gaming appears to be offered as a free service, but that is likely to change in the future. Facebook will likely add advertising in some form to their game chat solution.

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2. Ludo King

Ludo King approaches in-game chat very differently from others in the gaming industry. The game emphasizes voice chat and encourages users to interact socially. Inspired by a board game, the Android app has hundreds of millions of downloads. To use the voice chat feature, players must watch videos.

The Ludo King approach to the game chat experience is different. The game essentially restricts access to the chat feature until users perform a specific action (i.e., watching videos). Other game developers use a similar strategy – restrict access to gaming content until players watch ads. 

Keep in mind that Ludo King had a few specific advantages that made their approach work. First, the game is based on appealing to a community of players filled with nostalgia for a childhood game. Second, the app has a more extensive user base. 

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3. Fortnite

Fortnite has a strong commitment to social interactions. The app has granular voice settings where users can control whether they speak to the public, friends, or private. In addition, the real-time chat has moderation capabilities so that you can kick out of mute other players.

In addition to text chat, Fortnite partnered with Houseparty to offer video chat to players. However, this specific video chat feature was removed in 2021. According to TechCrunch coverage, Fortnite appears to be moving toward metaverse technology instead.

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4. Call of Duty

Call of DuTy has earned a large following of online players since it was first released in 2003. The action game often involves teamwork to achieve missions. To coordinate these interactions, the platform required a game chat solution. 

In Call of Duty, your interaction with your game friends can take a few forms., You can use a text chat window to interact with other players. Some players use game voice chat to speak with their players. Offering both chat options is smart because unexpected voice chat issues can strike at any time.

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5. Roblox

With more than one hundred million players, Roblox is one of the most successful gaming platforms. The company encourages third-party game developers to create new experiences for players. Roblox operates based on a freemium business model like many other gaming platforms. Obtaining Robux, a type of in-game currency, is required to access many of the platform’s advanced features.

Roblox offers a powerful in-game chat for players. Users can create custom chat groups, send private messages, and chat during gameplay. The Roblox chat interface shows which experience users are involved in to encourage further interaction. That’s a powerful way to use a chat interface to encourage more app usage.  

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6. Lady Popular

Launched in 2009, Lady Popular is an online game aimed mainly at girls and women. Lady Popular is a dress-up fashion game where the player decides the clothes, makeup, accessories, and other aspects of their character’s appearance. 

Lady Popular users also have an online chat room where you can invite other users into chat rooms. Some users have commented about a poorly moderated chat experience, including bullying. Offering a welcoming chat experience that protects users is challenging for every game platform.

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In-Game Chat Vs. Third-Party Chat

In-game chat is popular with gaming communities. Building an in-game chat experience may not be the focus of your game. Other developers may prioritize the development of in-game chat experiences.

Consider the following questions to help you decide whether to focus on in-game chat or third-party chat experiences.

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1. What social interactions are users asking you to build?

Check specialized forums, Reddit, and other sources to get a sense of the social features that players are most interested in.

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2. How will you approach the chat moderation issue?

Like it or not, online bullying and abusive behavior are common problems. According to some studies, over 70% of students have suffered cyberbullying. Choosing a chat app like Arena Live Chat can help because it includes content moderation features.

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3. What type of chat – text, voice, or video – does your game need?

There are three popular types of chat available today: text, voice, and video chat. While video chat and audio have a lot to offer, they are not always ideal for gaming. Your users might find audio and video chat distracting. It is wise to offer text chat as a choice for your in-game chat. 

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The Easy Way To Add Chat To Your Business

Building chat features into your game may be challenging if you already have a complex user interface. There are other ways to offer chat to your users, however. You can install live chat directly to your website with Arena Live Chat. It takes just a few minutes to get set up. You can use chat to support players and host events to bring your community together.