Virtual Reality as a Part of Inbound Marketing
Key Takeaways
- Video is huge and will continue to grow - agencies should invest in video capabilities early
- A client experienced 4,000% increase in web traffic and 1,500% increase in sales leads in the first year
- Hire talented people with a desire to learn rather than waiting for candidates with inbound marketing degrees
Kevin Dean, founder of ManoByte (Marketing Analytics Networking Online), joins the show to discuss how his agency is pioneering virtual reality applications in inbound marketing.
Investing in Video
Kevin recently expanded ManoByte’s multimedia capabilities by hiring two full-time video specialists and building an in-house video studio. His conviction is straightforward - video is huge and it is going to continue to get even bigger. Two designers with video game backgrounds introduced Kevin to Google Cardboard through an immersive underwater diving experience, sparking the agency’s exploration of VR as a marketing tool.
The HubSpot Partnership
Kevin transitioned from independent consulting to becoming a HubSpot partner after recognizing that social media by itself was not really the answer. He needed comprehensive ROI measurement tools. ManoByte achieved Platinum Partner status, with one client - Millennia Technologies - experiencing a 4,000% increase in web traffic and 1,500% increase in sales leads during the first year of their engagement.
Building the Team
ManoByte grew from three to eighteen employees following the HubSpot partnership. The team divides into three sections: designers and developers, inbound marketing consultants, and content developers. Kevin states his preference for talented people who have the desire to learn because inbound marketing degrees are uncommon. Each employee maintains specialized vertical expertise to enable scaling and enhance client value delivery.