Some Strangely Sound Marketing Ideas
I have always been an avid reader.
There was a period when I devoured fiction for years, especially the work of Southern female authors like Harper Lee, Anne Tyler, and Lee Smith. Then, I did a deep dive into non-fiction consuming content from Adam Grant, Clay Christensen, and Youngme Moon. I have posted over 80 blogs about books I enjoyed in the last five years.
By the end of most days, my eyes get tired from working on my laptop or phone. So, I decided to try listening to audiobooks as an alternative to reading at night.
Fortunately, my local library uses the Libby app, and I can download books at no charge to listen to while I walk, vacuum, or hang out on my porch. As a big podcast fan, this was an easy shift in habit – and I’m genuinely enjoying it. My new Apple air pods also help this easy to do.
In the last two weeks, I read/listened to Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng, Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver, and The Lincoln Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer.
What if your brochure, website and blog posts were read aloud to prospects and customers?
Some Tactical Audio Marketing Ideas
Like many life experiences, my marketing brain clicks in, and I like to think of how a change in my behavior could be a valuable tactic for marketers. Listening to books has gotten me thinking about the power of social audio as an alternative or additional way to market products and services.
Three examples:
I find reading a brochure exhaustingly challenging. Not because of my eyes, but because they are so dull and lifeless. Companies often jammed so much about features that they forget to tell a story.
Imagine how much easier it is to listen to a well-spoken FAQ or brochure about services offered. Reading is active – listening is passive. Like listening to an audio file, passive marketing can remove friction and improve understanding.
Imagine coming to a website, and instead of hopping around, you invite the visitor to close her eyes and to listen to a 3-minute story.
You may be able to use this approach to differentiate your products and services from a similar website – and you bring your brand to life. The brand’s voice and personality become more human. With audio, you create a simple-to-follow narrative that helps you take the visitor through a journey to help them see your product or services as a solution to the job they want to get done. Your voice brings your brand to life, explaining the before and after journey.
Scott Galloway, AKA Prof G, has started to have his popular marketing newsletter, No Mercy, No Malice, read by the actor George Hahn. It is a clever way to amplify a voice and extend your created content. Listen here if you want to sample this idea.
Yes, video is all the rage, but a simple audio recording is quick and easy and can bring your brand’s personality to life. And it’s easier for subject matter experts throughout the company to bring website pages to life – with a brief recording on various topics. While the audio plays, a little photo gallery can run to visualize your storyline.
Put your money where your mouth ears are.
Why not try some simple sound marketing audio tactics to improve your communications.
You can set up a time to chat with me about your marketing challenges using my calendar. Email me jeffslater@themarketingsage.com Call me. 919 720 0995. The conversation is free, and we can explore if working together makes sense. Watch a short video about working with me.
Photo by Larry George II on Unsplash
