Adding Audio to Visual Media - A Proven Way to Boost Engagement

They Engage People Emotionally

Picture an image of a hiking trail. From the picture, you can take in the paths, the vegetation, the view of the sun shining down on the paths, and more. It almost feels like you are there as you can see the spot in real time. But still, this is all just an aesthetic, and you can't resonate with it emotionally.

But what if someone has added nature sounds? You would feel like you were in the forest. Not only would you hear the sounds of the birds, but you would also hear the streams, bees, flies, the footsteps of other people, and more. It would feel real to you. And maybe you would even remember a time when you had been on a similar trail. It's incredible, isn’t it?

Sounds are a way to let other people know what you are feeling in a situation, and they emphasize the cues in the images or videos. By using them in your content, you can connect with people on a more emotional level, which would make them feel more open to interacting with you.

They Shape the Narrative

In our social media world, people have their attention split between various needs and wants. As such, they have a hard time paying attention to visuals and may feel tempted to keep scrolling. So, how can you keep them engaged? You add sounds.

Let's use another example. Say that you are taking people through a tutorial on how to make a smoothie. If you were to show the visuals alone, people watching you would likely lose track of the steps at some point, as this would arguably be a tad boring. But what if you added ASMR? Then the people watching would get to hear as you cut up the fruits and veggies, turn on the blender, and pour the finished drink into a glass. This sensory immersion would make them eager to see what the drink would look like and would allow them to be part of the process.

See? Audio is a great way to guide people through what you are doing. So, a video or image that otherwise felt bland or would have confused people now gets transformed into a story that people want to follow and share.

They Add Authenticity

Have you noticed that more businesses and influencers are moving away from silent posts and instead using voiceovers? Here's why. We live in a very connected yet disconnected world. It may sound like a conundrum, but it is true. On one hand, we are able to interact with content from people from all over the world, such that we are never alone. But on the other hand, these people are only available online. And for many people with busy lives, physical relationships are few and far between, which is why they may feel disconnected from even their online friends.

Can audio fill this gap? Of course! Let us use the example of a baker who wants to share a cake recipe. Suppose they added music and listed the steps in text form. It would be a clean format that would get right to the point. And this approach appeals to many people. But it would lack the creator's personality. People would not see the person behind the content.

But what if the baker decided to use their own voice? People would feel like they were being addressed by an actual person, and this would feel more welcoming, as if they were talking to a friend.

At the end of the day, people want to connect with other people. So, the more you lend your voice to your visuals, the better they will perform.