{"id":866,"date":"2017-05-17T16:58:34","date_gmt":"2017-05-17T20:58:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/52.90.43.4\/?p=866"},"modified":"2020-07-13T13:04:17","modified_gmt":"2020-07-13T17:04:17","slug":"how-to-make-perfect-soundless-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sproutvideo.com\/blog\/how-to-make-perfect-soundless-video.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Make the Perfect Soundless Video"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hands up anyone who\u2019s ever watched a video online, only to be startled when the sound starts blasting out around the office or train? Thought so! That\u2019s why so many of us prefer to watch silent videos, whether we\u2019re taking a quick break from work, using public transport, or trying to keep things quiet so the baby doesn\u2019t wake!<\/p>\n

In this post, we share actionable tips on producing great content for the silent screen. We\u2019ll take a look at the very best silent videos online and discuss how the brands got it right.<\/p>\n

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Soundless video: hurdle or opportunity?<\/h3>\n

As marketers, creativity is in our blood. That\u2019s lucky, because when it comes to video making, there can be lots of hurdles to achieving great engagement.\u00a0One of these hurdles arises from many viewers\u2019 preference for silent video.<\/p>\n

Rather than regarding silence as an obstacle, consider it an opportunity to showcase your video making skills. Thanks to the absence of distracting music, the audience won\u2019t just be focusing more on your message. They will also be paying closer attention to the shots you choose, every expression made by the actors, and even Easter eggs you\u2019ve hidden throughout the videos!<\/p>\n

Soundless video is a means of communicating with viewers whose first language is different to your own. This is especially useful for organizations who are marketing in different territories. There\u2019s no need to make videos in another language – just make it silent (and of course, ensure it\u2019s culturally relevant and appropriate).<\/p>\n

Top 10 Tips for Making Soundless Video<\/h3>\n
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  1. In the planning phase, distill your key message into visual elements.<\/li>\n
  2. Emotive storylines will help to hold viewers\u2019 attention. We share our expertise in narrative in The Secret of Storytelling: 11 Ingredients for Better Videos<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  3. People are interested in people, so start your videos with lifestyle shots featuring your product or service. We recommend checking out Anatomy of a Killer Establishing Shot<\/a> if you want to get to grips with what makes an opening shot truly great.<\/li>\n
  4. A vivid background can grab viewers\u2019 attention. If you\u2019re interested in learning about proper set design, our post Setting the Stage for Your Video<\/a> is a must-read!<\/li>\n
  5. Experiment with different editing techniques to spark interest.<\/li>\n
  6. Use graphics.<\/li>\n
  7. Captions are important, but should not compete with visual imagery. Don\u2019t rely on the captions to tell the story. We explain exactly how to add captions using SproutVideo here<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  8. Avoid using talking heads – this would require too much text.<\/li>\n
  9. You\u2019ll have to be ruthless when you\u2019re editing. If it doesn\u2019t enhance the story, delete it!<\/li>\n
  10. Use split testing to boost comprehension, engagement and brand recall. How to Maximize Engagement by A\/B Testing Videos<\/a> has lots of helpful advice.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Our Favorite Soundless Videos<\/h3>\n

    We challenge you to watch these videos with the volume muted. In this way, you\u2019ll appreciate the methods used by the brands to make them engaging.<\/p>\n

    Huggies: Hug the Mess – Glitter<\/h4>\n