What is audio-video marketing (AVM)?

Imagine a world without visuals and audio no product demos, no animations, no jingles. Everything is explained through textual manuals alone. Fortunately, that’s not the case. 

Audio-video marketing (AVM) leverages sight and sound to deliver compelling messaging that leaves a lasting impact on the audience. AVM includes media that you might already be familiar with like videos, podcasts, animations, video presentations, and live streams to communicate a brand’s message. 

It also goes beyond describing your product and a list of its features. It’s about turning your product and service into a compelling story that prompts customers to envision it in their daily lives. 

 

Audio-video marketing types

Here are some common audio-video marketing types you can incorporate in your marketing campaigns to draw your audience in: 

Video marketing 

An integral part of AVM, video marketing includes everything from product demos to customer testimonials. 

Your video marketing strategy can also involve both short-form videos and long-form videos. Short-form videos like TikToks or Instagram Reels are great for quick engagement, while long-form content like YouTube tutorials builds authority.

 

Live streaming 

Live videos give you a chance to interact with your customers in real time, making your brand more approachable and authentic. They’re ideal for product launches, Q&A sessions, or giving your audience a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes. 

Tesla’s and Apple’s product announcement live streams are excellent examples. Each company creates hype and draws in millions of viewers globally. There’s a reason both brands now have a cult following.

 

Podcast marketing 

Audio-focused podcasts are a way to position your brand as a thought leader in your industry while you connect with your audience. Whether you invite industry experts as guests or discuss brand-specific insights, podcast marketing is a great way to address your audience’s pain points. 

For instance, Ahref’s Podcast shares online business lessons catering to its customers’ interests and problems. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone—the brand gets to help its audience while also building trust and appearing as an authority in the industry. 

 

Animated explainer videos

It’s like deciphering a secret code. If you list specs like this in your explainer videos, half of the audience will likely be confused and frustrated. 

When a prospect is just beginning to explore your product, they’d prefer more visually appealing and easy-to-digest content. 

That’s where animated explainer videos come in. Animated explainer videos break down complex ideas using catchy jingles, engaging visuals, and narration. They turn technical details into compelling stories, making them perfect for describing product features or abstract concepts.

For example, before “cloud storage” was a common phrase, Dropbox used an animated explainer video to turn the relatively new concept into a simple, relatable idea, driving massive engagement.

The compelling explainer video was viewed over 25 million times and played a key role in Dropbox’s rapid growth to over 100 million users.

 

User-generated content (UGC)

What’s the difference between polished ads and raw clips shot by your customers? The latter appears more authentic, allowing your audience to see existing customers using your product in real life. 

That’s the essence of user-generated content (UGC). UGC is any form of content from videos, to photos, to reviews or testimonials created by your customers rather than your brand. 

 

Audio-only campaigns

A lot of people recognize McDonald’s as soon as they hear the company’s viral “I’m Lovin’ It” jingle. The cheerful melody acts as a sonic tagline that invokes emotions like happiness and enjoyment. That’s how a successful audio-focused campaign works. 

This concept, often called a "sound logo," is a key part of sound design. Think of Netflix’s signature "ta-dum" or HBO’s iconic static and chime. These sounds are crafted to be instantly recognizable and emotionally resonant, making them a powerful tool for branding.

Audio-focused campaigns, like branded podcasts or Spotify ads, create strong connections through sound alone. Jingles, radio ads, or ASMR-style campaigns which use soothing, sensory sounds to trigger emotional responses—also fall into this category.