The Power of Audio-Visual Communication

Audio Visual, Audio
16 September 2020

According to the Social Sciences Research Network, 65% of us are visual learners, followed by a further 30% of us being verbal learners. The remaining 5% of the population are experiential learners. These figures mean that using audio visual communications within your business marketing strategy can play a key part in engaging with your customers.

A recent study showed a staggering 85% of consumers are more likely to purchase after watching a product video. Health and beauty retailer, Superdrug, also reported a 24% increase in sales of products advertised on their in-store radio.

In this post, we focus on how harnessing the power of audio-visual communication is key to capturing the attention of customers and keeping employees engaged.

Using audio visual communication to boost brand engagement

It won’t surprise you to learn that half the population are visual learners, which is why using video as a part of your audiovisual marketing strategy helps to create a more engaging experience for customers. In fact, the brain processes visuals 60,000 times faster than text, so really it’s clear why video is a consumer’s favourite type of audiovisual content. These statistics show why creating a strong video presence for your brand can give you an edge in today’s competitive marketplace.

Standing out on social media

In modern-day marketing, having a presence on a variety of social platforms is a must for brands, to help create a successful omnichannel approach that targets their customers. A massive 50% of the world’s total population uses some form of social media, so it’s well worth investing in a good social strategy. The type of content used on these platforms is often the difference between succeeding or failing to reach goals. Video content has been proven to be a highly successful form of audio visual communication, dramatically improving customer engagement rates across social platforms.

It’s been reported that visual content makes Facebook ads at least 75% more effective. Furthermore, Instagram has said that video generates more engagement on its site than any other type of content for its 500 million daily users. With this in mind, video is a valuable tool for marketers to consider investing in.

Tips and tricks to create engaging social media videos

Creating a video that really resonates with an audience takes effort, skill, and careful planning. It’s a lot harder than just hitting record. Here are some essential tips to ensure your videos are engaging and sharable.

Play to your audience

Grab their attention: Always put your best foot forward. With countless videos vying for the attention of social media users, it’s crucial to hook your audience within the first few seconds. Start with a compelling statement, question, or action shot to ensure viewers stay tuned for the rest of your content.

Keep it snappy: Attention spans today are more fleeting than ever before. It’s crucial that your message be concise. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, research suggests that shorter videos often perform better on platforms like Instagram and Twitter. However, platforms like YouTube might allow for longer, more in-depth content. Always consider your audience and the platform when deciding on video length.

Let’s get technical

Customise your formats: You should also remember that each social media platform supports various video formats. Whether it’s a square video for Instagram, a vertical one for TikTok, or a widescreen format for YouTube, ensure you’re using the optimal video format for each platform. This ensures your videos display correctly and provide the best viewing experience.

Prioritise quality video production: Though smartphones have made it easier for anyone to create videos, there’s a noticeable difference between amateur and professional video production. Consider investing in good lighting, stable camera equipment, and editing software. These elements can elevate the overall quality of your videos, making them more appealing to viewers.

Invest in audio production: What’s more, while visuals capture attention, poor audio quality can quickly deter viewers. Invest in a good microphone, minimize background noise, and consider adding subtitles for those who watch videos on mute or are hearing-impaired. Remember, clear audio complements your video production and ensures your message is heard loud and clear.

Enhancing brand engagement through digital signage

Video can be used in a variety of ways, not just for great social media content. Another way you can use audiovisual content to improve brand engagement is digital signage advertising. AVC Immedia can offer your business a range of video services that help to engage customers and increase sales.

Digital signage enables brands to display more engaging audio visual communication and enhance the customer experience. 80% of customers choose to enter stores after seeing digital signage, subsequently leading to an uptick in unplanned purchases. There’s a variety of technology that can be used for digital signage solutions, including LCD or LED panels and also speakers can be integrated to add audio, which creates a fully immersive experience for consumers.

The usage of digital signage is also pretty varied, from creating in-store video walls to the menu boards you see at your favourite large franchise takeaways. No matter the format it comes in, digital signage captures 400% more views than traditional static displays, and now with the option for added audio, it’s become a great way to enhance your audio visual communication strategy and increase brand engagement. On the subject of audio, did you know that by playing music in your business, you can improve staff engagement levels?

Using audio to build on brand engagement

You’ll find that most retail establishments use audio visual communication to improve both customer engagement and employee productivity. This is because music is widely known to elevate mood and even alter human perspectives and behaviour.

Improving worker productivity

Several surveys have concluded that music increases the level of accuracy and performance of staff at the workplace, and as many as 88% of people who worked in environments where music was played saw their performance improve. This increase in productivity results in better financial outcomes for businesses. Companies that took part in the study noted that higher levels of engagement translated into a 26% increase in annual revenue.

Emma, an employee of Nationwide Building Society, further proved the benefits of audio when commenting on their new in-store radio by stating, “Working officially until noon today but decided as the tunes are so good on Nationwide Live I will stay logged on and will keep the Bluetooth speaker cranked up loud until 3pm”

Boosting retail sales

The benefits of audio also include a boost in sales, due to the improved customer experience. 34% of customers spend longer in stores with music, and therefore increase the amount purchased. This may be due to the positive association that customers have with music.

Audio-Visual Communication: Best Practices

Audio-visual communication has emerged as a cornerstone for brands aiming to create a lasting impression. But how do you ensure that your audio-visual content not only captures attention but also leaves a lasting impact? Here are some best practices to guide you.

Crafting a balanced audio-visual message

When crafting a knock-out audiovisual communication strategy it’s important to strike a balance between the audio and visual components and implement consistency so that all elements convey a cohesive message.

In an oversaturated consumer market, clarity and brevity of messaging are crucial to enhancing brand recall. Every moment of your video or audio clip must be purposeful, adding genuine value to the viewer or listener.

Everything from the tone of voice to the visual style, or even the core message being conveyed should be consistently applied across all distribution channels. By maintaining a consistent approach, brands can foster trust and enhance their recognition among their audience.

While each of these technical aspects is vital, the emotional component of content should not be overlooked. The most impactful and memorable audiovisual pieces are those that evoke emotions, be it humour, nostalgia, or inspiration. Connecting with the audience on an emotional level transforms consumable content into relatable moments.

Ensure your audio-visual communication resonates

Know your audience: As in the case of any marketing campaign or form of content creation, the first step is to always identify your target audience and understand what makes them tick. What is it that you want to convince them to do and what are the pain points in their life that your business can help them resolve? Or, perhaps it’s their preferences and aspirations you want to target.

Where do they go to receive information and what kind of content factors into their daily lives? Once you have this information, tailoring your content to meet their needs and habits can make it much more impactful, and improve your ROI.

Encourage interaction: Engaging your audience by incorporating interactive elements like polls, quizzes, Q&A sessions, live streams, and even interactive games and comedic elements within your audio-visual content is a great way to reel in the attention of your audience and encourage them to actively participate. It’s also a great way to create a shared moment between your brand and a potential customer, making it far more likely that they will remember you in the future. Use technology to your advantage!

Analyse everything: It’s so important to review the performance of your content across platforms. Which formats were the most effective, which messaging prompted the greatest engagement from your audience and what did people say about your content? Being open to feedback and encouraging your audience to share their thoughts helps foster a sense of openness and community around your brand while also providing you with valuable insights for future content creation.

Keep up-to-date with trends: The landscape of audio-visual communication is constantly evolving, with advancements in technology taking off at lightning speed. Do your best to stay updated with the latest trends, tools, and technologies to ensure your content remains fresh and relevant.

These best practices could be the key to supercharging your audio-visual communication and creating meaningful connections with your audience. If you’ve limited experience in this area and want to talk more about how our professional team can help boost your brand through our audio-visual solutions just ask. We are only a phone call away.

Trends in audio visual communication

With new technologies and platforms constantly emerging and redefining how brands connect and communicate, staying ahead of these trends is crucial for businesses aiming to maintain a competitive edge in their marketing efforts. Let’s delve into some of the most prominent trends shaping the future of audio-visual communication:

The rise of VR and AR marketing

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are no longer far-fetched ideas; they’ve become standout tools in a marketer’s arsenal. These immersive technologies offer a unique way to engage audiences, transporting them to virtual worlds or enhancing their real-world surroundings with digital overlays.

There are countless ways to use VR to enhance your marketing or sales strategies, including offering virtual tours, product demos, and interactive experiences. AR has also found its place through interactive advertising, product visualisations, and even virtual try-ons. These technologies not only captivate audiences but also offer a personalised and interactive brand experience that’s near-on impossible to match with traditional audio-visual content.

customer being visually stimulated by virtual reality content

Podcasts and webinars: An undeniable influencer

While videos continue to dominate the digital space, podcasts, and webinars have carved a niche for themselves, especially in the B2B sector. These formats offer in-depth insights, discussions, and knowledge sharing, making them perfect for brands aiming to position themselves as thought leaders in their industry.

Podcasts, with their audio-centric approach, allow consumers to multitask, making them a favorite for on-the-go audiences. They provide a platform for brands to engage in long-form, candid conversations, interviews, and storytelling, which in the age of digital soundbites and click-bait content, has highlighted demand among consumers for audiovisual communication that engages listeners on a deeper level.

Webinars, on the other hand, offer a more structured and visual approach. They’re perfect for product launches, tutorials, and expert panel discussions. The live nature of webinars also allows for real-time audience interaction, fostering a sense of community and engagement.

Our advice for businesses is to welcome innovation with open arms. It’s better to embrace change than to resist it and be left behind.

Conclusion

It’s clear that audio visual communication is a powerful tool for brands. Its profound influence is evident in its ability to bolster customer loyalty, foster deeper engagement with both staff and customers, and offers brands a strong return on investment (ROI). Overall, audio visual communication creates a multi-sensory experience that resonates deeply with audiences.

Our award-winning team of seasoned professionals, specialise in a wide range of audiovisual marketing services tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses. Our expertise ensures that brands not only stay abreast of the latest trends but also harness the full potential of audiovisual strategies to carve a distinctive niche in the market.

Unlock the potential of audiovisual communication for your brand. Explore our services today.

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