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- July 2021
July 2021
Listen Up Buttercup: The Rising Social Audio Scene
Hi Friends,
Social media is an ever evolving tool for marketing. In the past few years, and especially since 2020, we have seen a shift in focus from text and graphics to audio and video content. As new platforms rise for audio specific content, we are taking a look at how this shift in focus can work for you.
Be Well, Nicole, Jane, Patti, Ben, Owen, Sam, and Matt
Listen up, buttercup
With the COVID-19 pandemic came a total shift in how we interact, in the technology we use, and how we use it.
Some of us began talking to our plants just to practice using our voice, others found other ways to talk to each other. Virtual conferencing became the new norm, and many folks quickly burned out on video or tired of being glued to their screen/camera.
One answer to this was a rise in social audio - much like social media but instead of a visual feed of text and videos, this is audio focused.
Podcasting, a form of audio file sharing that has gained popularity in the past decade, saw an exponential increase in 2020, and its audience could still double by 2023.
What is Social Audio?
Like all forms of social media, “social audio” works differently on different platforms.
In platforms like Clubhouse, Discord, and Twitter Spaces (also notice how Facebook has added audio/video rooms recently?) - social audio looks like live conversations between people in real time. It’s like holding a dinner party or chatting with friends in your living room. Except there might be celebrities hanging out with you… and you don’t even need to dust!
In apps like Riffr and Cappuccino - audio content is recorded and posted to the platform for others to listen to when they check their app, this is similar to an audio version of Facebook or Instagram.
Audlist lets you record and share audio from short moments in time to full podcasts. Because when you hear a good sound clip, how else can you share it?
Some apps let you hold closed sessions or groups, while others let you share with the world. Audiences like that they can take these audio apps anywhere, in the car or on a walk, and be able to listen without having to look at the screen.
Let’s Talk About Podcasts
Podcasts are episodic series of recorded audio files. They can take several different formats in terms of content and length, and are available on a variety of apps and platforms.
Like reading a book or watching a movie, a podcast is something you enjoy… and while you might talk about it online, interacting with it (besides leaving a review) is not built in.
Join Our Podcasting Course Coming Up
If you are interested in starting your own podcast, but not sure where to start, check out The Podcasting Course - a four week podcasting seminar with audio & video producer Zac Miller from Uncommon Image Studios. By the end of four weeks, your podcast will be published and you’ll have your technical, content, marketing, and monetizing questions answered!
There are unlimited possibilities in terms of content and creation of podcasts. You can find a full spectrum of genres and topics. Large corporations and small indie creators alike are able to share their content with the world.
You can find podcasts available on several platforms including, but not limited to, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, Sound Cloud, and Podbean. These are just a few where you can hop in and get listening, and as you familiarize yourself, you can advance into creation.
How Social Audio and Podcasting Can Work For You
There are many ways you can get involved in the soundwaves of the audio world.
Advertising opportunities. Podcasting offers unique advertising opportunities in that you can target a genre or show that aligns with your product or service, and serves your client base. This is an efficient way to ensure you’re reaching your target audience, thus improving your ROI potential. Host-read podcast ads can drive a significant increase in brand recall, as the audience already has familiarity with the host, and has built trust in their recommendation.
Content opportunities. If you have content to share, creating your own audio space or podcast is an effective way to increase your reach and audience. You can monologue, facilitate group discussions, educate, soundboard ideas, host interviews, be a guest on other podcasts or in conversations on other audio platforms, share a thought for the day or give a glimpse into the behind the scenes of your business. You can shape this medium into what works best for your company and brand.
Event opportunities. If you want to have a niche event that’s easy to drop into, hosting an event in an audio space like Clubhouse makes it accessible and relatively easy to prepare for.
If your marketing plan needs an update, the audio scene is a good place to look for ways it can work for you.
From The BEC Blog
How to Podcast with Zac Miller
Been told your business should have a podcast? Join guest Zac Miller who not only is a videographer and media professor but also a podcast producer who gets you don’t have infinite time, money, or nerdy bandwidth for some of his favorite podcast tips and tricks.
Short Form Video Templates (Part 1 & 2)
So Instagram changed everything saying they were pivoting towards prioritizing video content. But if mastering the art of a short form video has you breaking out in a sweat because you also have no dancing talents, we’ve got you covered with ten formats you can steal.
Celebrating Client Victories
SLC Arts Council - In an effort to better serve and connect the local artists and art lovers of St. Lawrence County, the SLC Arts Council is working on updating their artist directory to be highly searchable (ie. Women Owned Businesses, Artists who do commission work, etc). This update will also allow artists to customize their listing by filling out a digital form. This is an intensive system update that is a lot of work on the front end, and will produce amazing results in terms of helping to connect artists with buyers. Way to go SLC Arts Council! Pleasure to work with you on this (and other) fun projects.
Have an idea for your business that feels out of reach? Talk to us about what you’d like to do and we might be able to help!
Did You Know?
Did you know that the target 10,000 steps a day is based on marketing, not necessarily science?
A Japanese company created one of the earliest personal fitness pedometers and likely came up with the 10,000 step idea when branding their product because the Japanese character for 10,000 looks like a person walking.
Dare to Lead Podcast with Brené Brown
Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston and is well known as a researcher studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. Her podcast, Dare to Lead, consists of interviews with today’s leaders and innovators.
This episode with Charles Duhigg discusses habits and productivity.
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