DR

AMR

Start A Project
hush

Sound Branding is Small Businesses’ Secret Sauce

Sound branding is purposefully placed and created sound for a specific brand’s marketing. This is especially important for the small to mid size business.

Why?

Sound branding for small business not only makes a HUGE impact in customer recognition and continued brand loyalty but it is WAY less expensive in comparison to other marketing investments.

jingle vs sonic logo

Usually when we hear the words “sound branding” or “sonic branding” we think of a song or a jingle. But I’m hear to spill the beans (or sauce as I reference in the title).

Branded sound is all the sound in your branding. It is not limited to music alone.

Branded sound could be anything from the squeaky floorboards in your brick and mortar shop to the way you say your company name; the rhythm and inflection (i.e. Avon or The Shane Company). For small business this could include the sounds within a coffee shop (the roasters, the patrons, the clinking of coffee mugs and the stirring of spoons). It could be the sounds within a mechanic shop (tools clanking, cars revving, mechanics grunting). It could be the sounds that devices make or symbolize making (the typewriter sound a cell phone makes when you are texting or the whoosh sound when you send an email).

Sound is creative and passive recognition of your brand.

These little ideas of how your brand can or does sound can make a massive difference in long-term ROI. For those that enjoy reading them in list form, here’s some of the top reasons to invest in branded sound and sound strategy.

Enhanced Brand Identity

helping hand in marketing

Sound makes a brand seem human. It creates memorable experiences and creates a unique personality that is for that brand and for that brand alone. When these sounds are repeated consistently, they reinforce the brand’s identity and instill the memory in customers minds leading to long-term ROI, and golden word of mouth.

An Emotional Connection:

girl splashing out of water

Sound “moves” us. Both mentally and physically. It can evoke feelings and memories but most importantly, it motivates action. This creates a positive emotional experience that creates long-term brand loyalty and can stimulate brand advocacy and word of mouth. There is no better marketing than when it is done by your customers voluntarily.

Strong Form of Communication:

Not everyone may be able to hear, but they sure can feel. And vibration is sound. Think of your phone or any sort of touchpad that you may use for a minute. Isn’t it reassuring when you feel that extra haptic vibration confirming that you did in fact push the button all the way down? Or what about overhead announcements of special discounts of products, or even that the store is closing soon. Sound improves the customer experience, satisfaction, and brand loyalty.

Storytelling and Engagement:

man yelling into speech bubble

Sound is the best storyteller because it lets the subconscious further develop the message into what our brains respond to best. Sound storytelling could take the shape of podcasts or curated playlists but it could be as simple as lights that don’t buzz and hum uncomfortably or speakers that are clear and without that scratchy sound of mechanical neglect. This, again builds brand recognition, loyalty and increases long-term ROI.

Bridging Gaps in Fragmented Digital Messaging:

There are too many social networks. There I said it. With all different platforms working slightly differently, messaging must be shifted and manipulated differently over all the different spaces. This can be daunting. Adding sound elements to websites, social media, and digital advertisements uniformly bonds all messaging together. Sound helps capture attention, create memorability, and enhance engagement.

Creating Multi-Sensory Experiences:

In an age where customers expect to be entertained by everything, a multi-sensory experience is absolutely necessary. But how does one do that when their product isn’t necessarily geared to that? By implementing sound within visual branding, small business can create a sensorial experience. It will be that much more immersive and memorable even without the physical touch, taste, and smell elements. Two out of five is better than one out of five right? This leads to (say it with me) increased customer satisfaction, positive word-of-mouth, and ultimately improved long-term ROI.

Sound has a power that is hard to fully understand and not necessarily noticed (when done right), but it is clear to a brands long-term bottom line when done mindfully and on brand.

We all experience sound. By creating a branded sound within our small business that is recognizable and representative (sincere), you increase brand recognition, brand satisfaction, brand loyalty, and long-term ROI.

(This article was originally published on Medium)

Ready to Create?

Dreamr Productions would love to help. Contact us today for more information

iTunes
Pandora
Spotify
sound in marketing podcast

The Sound In Marketing Podcast

For more thought provoking resources, check out the podcast.

iHeartRadio
Stitcher
Google Podcasts

Creating Sonic Branding & Sound Identities

Receive the latest news

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Find Us Here

Twitter Linkedin-in

Dreamr Productions. Sonic Branding & Sound Identities.

All Rights Reserved © 2020 Stage Ham Entertainment, LLC.

Home
Work
Blog
Contact

Have a Project? Start Yours With Dreamr.

Share with us some details about your project in the contact form below.