Imagine participating in a live conversation with a billionaire CEO, networking with an influencer or thought leader you admire, or even chatting with an A-list celebrity in real time? Social media audio is one of the latest ways people are connecting with each other — and brands are already onboard, eager to build more meaningful relationships with their customers.
What is social media audio?
While video has ruled social media interactions for years, using audio as a primary means of communication is becoming increasingly popular. After working, meeting, and communicating via electronic devices during the pandemic, screen-time fatigue is real. Audio-driven communication creates the opportunity for personal, two-way interactions by engaging with a human voice. There are many types of social media audio, including live conversation rooms, drop-in audio chats, voice messaging, podcasts, and more.
What is propelling its success?
The trend originated from the desire for human interaction during the pandemic. Now social media users are finding that social audio is a unique way to engage with people with common interests or those they might not otherwise have access to. Audio conversations also tend to be more authentic and spontaneous and less intimidating — there’s no pressure to be camera-ready all the time.
People are also constantly looking for new sources of content they care about. To attract new users, social media audio platforms such as Clubhouse and Facebook are paying cherry-picked creators to launch conversation rooms and, along with Twitter, are exploring ticket sales for exclusive live events.
What are the current audio social platforms?
While many are in the race to develop additional audio social platforms, there are a few that have already established a presence.
Clubhouse Social App
Clubhouse is currently the only exclusively social audio app out of Beta. Users can speak to one another in virtual “rooms” that accommodate thousands of people. There are three types of rooms:
Open rooms: Anyone on Clubhouse can join these rooms.
Social rooms: Users who follow a moderator are able to find and join that moderator’s room.
Closed rooms: Only those invited by the moderator may join the chat.
Twitter Spaces
Anybody with a Twitter account and more than 600 followers is able to host a conversation and allow users to experience Twitter in a whole new way. Those who follow the account that hosts a space, or who have been sent the conversation’s link, are able to join that conversation.
Facebook Live Audio Rooms
Groups on Facebook are able to host live chat rooms where members of that group can take part in real-time voice discussions with one another. These social audio chats are also available on Facebook Messenger.
Spotify Greenroom
Greenroom is a live-audio-only app that “allows artists and other creators to connect with fans, followers, and friends in the moment.” Discussions are hosted through “rooms” and “spaces.”
How are brands using social audio?
Brands are capitalizing on social media audio to demonstrate thought leadership by hosting audio conversations — not speeches or monologues — that are educational or entertaining. These two-way interactions are an effective way to personally connect with customers and listen to their needs, feelings, concerns, values, and ideas. Being able to gather these invaluable insights helps brands create content or develop new products that truly resonate with their audience. In the future, brands will be able to use social audio platforms for display advertising and lead generation — users will provide their information to enter a conversation or “room.”
Considering tapping into the power of social media audio for your brand? Our social media team can recommend the right platform, help determine the return on investment, and get you started.