Expert’s ideas

Could adding audio to my website increase sales?

Audio can inform and entertain. If you are, for example, a drinks retailer offering a product of the month, say whisky, then adding sound effects of a babbling brook and bagpipes to a rich voice describing the malt’s flavour could be very effective. In the tourism industry, it could be the sound of wild animals that will help sell a safari. There are many different and exciting ways to use audio to full commercial advantage and expert guidance will help you achieve your objective.

How can I improve my understanding of audio services to exploit them fully?

Most companies operating in this specialist field will be happy to have a no-obligation chat with you, either over the telephone or in person to identify and assess individual benefits. AudioWeb UK is one of them. In addition, many offer one-to-one training sessions at business premises structured to meet specific objectives. Again, AudioWeb UK is one of them.

Can audio be added to a PowerPoint presentation?

In a word: yes, and it has proved to be highly successful in adding impact.

Why is a professional audio script so important?

Scripting for the spoken word is different because text is written for the ear and not the eye. Complex words, jargon and abbreviations must be avoided as listeners have no time to pause and decipher meanings. Audio scripts have to be concise and clear for easy comprehension.

Supposing I want to use my own script?

Before broadcasting to the general public, get family and friends to listen to your own script. Better still, send it for appraisal to an audio script specialist. It may be that your script needs only minor adaptation for website audio or podcast recording. AudioWeb UK is among the companies happy to offer this type of service.

How effective are on-hold messages?

Companies spend around 90% of their advertising budget on attracting new business but only 10% on attracting new sales from existing customers. Captivating on-hold messages keep waiting customers on the line, and inform them about products and services they may be interested in yet unaware of.

What are the benefits of podcasts?

Apart from their ability to communicate key messages, they provide information that reflects the enthusiasm and passion of an organisation in a format that is both flexible and effective. Podcasts can be downloaded and listened to without disrupting daily routine, and while doing something else, ie travelling.

How expensive is it to create a podcast?

Different factors influence the price, such as type and content, ie music and/or special effects, but podcasts can be customised to suit financial constraints. In addition, the cost can be supplemented through the insertion of adverts, or through sponsorship.

Is a professional voice-over artist worth investing in?

Voice-over artists can make all the difference to the success of any audio project, projecting the right image to match your message. Apart from their vocal clarity, their convincing characterisation adds significant enjoyment to the listening experience.

What is the advantage in adding music to an audio file?

Background music can add continuity and mood to embellish a project, but be aware of music licence rules for broadcasting via telephone, mobile or internet as the Performing Rights Society (PRS) may insist on royalty payments. We only use copyright free music so artist royalties are paid up front.

What is the best audio file format?

It depends on the audio project. Flash is ideal for streaming audio instantly from a website and Wav is perfect for the highest quality downloads. MP3 is popular for quick downloads and modern on-hold and voice prompt systems, while Audio CD may be better suited to older on-hold systems with Flashcard for answerphones.

If you have a question about any aspect of audio marketing and telephone audio services that has not been addressed here, please email AudioWeb UK or call on 01937 849979