I like to keep things simple, easy, and fast. As a full-time trial lawyer and consultant, I’m too busy to waste time complicating the uncomplicated.
Too many people are making the metaverse unnecessarily confusing. Truth be told, if you use the steps below, it’s as easy to start your metaverse journey as it is to create an account on Zoom and go live.
To start using the metaverse, you don’t need to know anything about Web3, NFTs, blockchains, smart contracts, or cryptocurrency. What you do need to know is how to click a mouse and the following seven simple steps.
Ready to get started?
Step #1: Create an account
Create a free account on Spatial.
To get started, I recommend doing this on your laptop or desktop. While you’re given the option of opening your account using Google, MetaMask, Apple, or Microsoft, I recommend that you create your new account using email. You add these other features later.
Tip: We upgraded to the $25/month plan for more options and control.
Step #2: Create your avatar
During the signup process, take a moment to create your avatar. Use the “Create Ready Player Me” avatar option to start quickly. You can personalize your avatar any way you want and eventually add your photo to your avatar. You can also change how your avatar looks anytime you want. So, for now, just go with the avatar templates provided. Clicking your name at the top of the screen will open up the edit settings.
Step #3: Explore your home
Once you set up your account, Spatial gives you a home base. Take a few minutes to get comfortable using your new private space. If you’re using your phone or tablet, play around with moving your avatar by tapping it on your phone’s screen. Pinch your screen to zoom in and out.
If you’re on your laptop or desktop, use the “q” and “e” keys to rotate 360 degrees. Use the “w” “a” “s” and “d” keys, or arrows, to move around. You can use your mouse to point and click to different spaces. You can hold down the left mouse button to move the screen around and roll your finger on top of your mouse to zoom in and out. Spend 15 minutes playing around with these controls, and you’ll have the movement of your avatar down in no time.
Step #4: Explore your Screen
At the bottom left of your screen, you’ll see the “mute” and “camera” buttons. You’ll need to unmute to talk. If you activate your camera, it will put a video of your face above your avatar. I usually keep the video off.
At the top right of your screen, you can select buttons to take a picture or video. You can also click, copy, and share the link in the particular Spatial metaverse space you happen to be in with other people.
Different “asset” options are on the center bottom screen. The three dots at the bottom right of your screen opens up your host settings. Just leave everything set at the default settings to get started. I also wouldn’t spend a great deal of time, to start, with uploading assets, pictures, videos, and other items. Just get a feel for what everything does. Keep it simple for now.
You can leave the space you’re in using the “leave” button at the top left of your screen.
Step #5: Explore Other Spaces
Now take 30 minutes to explore other existing spaces. This will give you a chance to practice moving your avatar around other spaces and also give you an idea of what metaverse design options are out there.
Use the “Explore” and “Spaces” search features to find new spaces. Many popular spaces are already listed on the Spatial home page. Click, explore and have fun observing, learning, and moving around. The metaverse is all about building community so go out of your way to engage and have conversations.
Step #6: Create Your Own Free Space
Spatial allows you to create your own spaces. After logging into your account, go to the “new Space” and select a free template. For now, don’t worry about buying a custom template.
Click the space, enter it, and then click the name of your template and rename it. You can change this anytime.
Feel free to copy and past the link to your space (you can find this at the top right) and save it in your Google Docs or notes on your computer. Also, click the three dots (bottom right) and click and explore the different settings options. I recommend turning off the auto-save. Once you do this, you’ll see a manual save pop-up in the menu.
Now, whenever you make changes, click the “save” button, and the next time you come into your space, it will be just like the version that you saved. I hit save every time I make a change (add a new picture or video) to my space.
Step #7: Share Your Space and Practice with Others
Share the link to your space with a friend. Tell them to click on the link you send them and to set up their free Spatial account. Feel free to share these tips if you want to.
Once you are comfortable with the above, dive in and start engaging with other people in their spaces. Create your own spaces and do shows, interviews, and share your art or work. The only limitation in the metaverse is your imagination so have fun, be different, and enjoy the journey. My LinkedIn newsletter will give you many different ideas about how you can use the metaverse efficiently and effectively.
Conclusion
This is all it takes to begin leveraging the power of the metaverse. Spatial makes accessing the metaverse easier than setting up a new Zoom account and doing your first live Zoom.
See these links to get a better idea of how you can use some of the free templates that come with Spatial.
There are some fantastic upgrade options when you’re ready to raise the bar and get your own unique turn-key or fully customized metaverse space. Our consulting agency, ManeuVR, works with clients to leverage the metaverse to create unique and better brands and business opportunities that drive new lanes of revenue. We offer complete turn-key solutions with leading designers and providers.
For example, two of our custom metaverse properties we’re excited about are:
Reach out if you would like to create your own custom spaces.
Please use these simple steps to begin your metaverse journey. When you’re ready, ping us, and we’ll see you in Spatial!
PS- The best way to experience the metaverse, AFTER you set things up, as I mentioned above, is with a compatible headset like the Oculus Quest 2. To use your headset, set up your account as I described above on your laptop or desktop. Once done, put on your headset and download the Spatial app from inside your Oculus. Next, log into Spatial, and you’re good to go. The Oculus will improve your metaverse experience by about 95%. It may even change your life!
