How to Use Background Music in Ads

Published On
September 11, 2024

Let's talk about the unsung hero of advertising: background music in videos. It might seem like a small detail, but trust us, it's a BIG deal. That little tune playing in the background can make or break an ad. So, how do you make it work, especially when there’s someone chatting away in a voiceover? Let’s dive in!

9 Tips to Boost Ad Impact 

  1. Music Choice with Voiceovers: If you’re wondering what music to choose in your ads, pick sounds that complement the voiceover, not compete with it. If the voiceover is calm and soothing, opt for gentle, instrumental music. For a high-energy ad, pick something upbeat and rhythmic. If it’s a voice with a deep tone, choose music in a higher register and vice versa. Also, if you are including a voiceover, try to use vocal-free music for a less chaotic mixture of sounds.
  2. Set The Tone: What emotion do you want to convey through your advertisement? Try to get specific. For example, if you want to impart a sense of motivation, is it motivation from frustration or inspiration? Use music that captures an exact feeling.
  3. Volume Control: It’s all about finding the perfect balance. The voiceover should be clear and easy to understand, but the music shouldn’t be a distant whisper. Experiment to find an effective mixing technique with a side-chain compression.
  4. Timing is Everything: While music is important, you still need to provide the space needed for the voiceover to shine. Therefore, it’s important to make sure the music doesn’t drown out important parts of the voiceover. Pay attention to the rhythm of the words and match the music's beats accordingly. 
  5. Test Different Sounds: Try out various versions of the same ad but with different music in the background. Comparing these options to one another will allow you to identify the best one.
  6. Create a Jingle: Instead of a voiceover dominating the ad, you could always create a jingle in which a singer vocalizes your message. If it’s catchy, memorable, and if it captures the right feeling, why not? 
  7. Emphasize a Call to Action: Making the music more memorable in conjunction with the ad’s call to action can help a great deal in selling your message. If the music in most of the video is calm and relaxed and then switches to a more upbeat, energized tone once the call to action emerges, your viewers will pay more attention.
  8. Consider the Platform: Think about whether your ad is being played on TV, online, or on the radio. For instance, if it’s on the radio, you may need to choose more spirited music to grab the listeners’ attention since they do not have any visuals to help guide the narrative. 
  9. Know Your Audience: Take into account the demographics you’re trying to reach. Are you trying to appeal to a specific gender, a younger generation, an older generation, or a certain personality type? Narrow down your target audience and determine what kind of music would resonate with them. 

Find the Perfect Music For Your Ads

If you’re struggling to weave the right music into your advertisements, we understand. Sometimes searching for the best royalty-free sounds to convey a unique message can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

Fortunately, we’ve brought brands to life through our specially customized compositions, and we can do the same for you.

Let us help you succeed – Contact Us Now!