How to Create Social Videos with Silent Mode in Mind
Spin Creative • March 31, 2021
With the rise in mobile video, a growing number of viewers are choosing to watch video content on silent mode. Without the crucial element of sound, video marketers must rely on other tactics to hook consumers in silence.
While it might seem hard to create an interesting video without sound, there are plenty of creative ways to do it! Using engaging elements like closed captioning and animation can help you hold people’s interest and even entice them to grab those headphones.
Use great visuals
If people are starting your video without sound, then it’s extremely important that your visuals capture their attention. Your video should already include eye-catching visuals to tell your story, but additional elements like motion graphics
can add an extra-special touch.
Make sure the base visuals you create pull at people’s heartstrings, or maybe make them laugh. Aim to inspire emotion through the visual story you tell. This way, you convey your message fully without the supporting audio. Animations and motion graphics can also highlight information you may be relaying through narration, so viewers don’t miss anything important.
Draw the viewer in early
On a similar note, you should always try and draw viewers in early. Since your video will appear on social media, chances are many people will scroll right by…That is, unless you have a fantastic hook.
Sound typically gets viewers’ attention, so without it, your video needs something else. Starting with a strong opening image will usually prompt viewers to stop scrolling and give your video a watch. Then, continuing with great visuals will ensure the video holds their attention.
You should always develop a good plan before filming or creating visual aids. Research your audience and think hard about what visuals will grab their attention
right away.
The importance of closed captioning
In addition to deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers, people watching your video in silent mode might not understand your message based on just the visuals. This is why it’s a good idea to include closed captioning
in your videos.
Closed captioning is an easy way to get your full message across without having to rely solely on what’s been filmed. A good opening line that’s been captioned might also prompt viewers to watch your video with sound.
Make sure you plan to add captions during the editing stage, so they show up on every platform your video is posted to.
Make your video look professional
While a more casual style can work for humorous and lighthearted social videos, you still want your videos to look professional and high quality. This is true whether your video is watched with sound or in silent mode. However, without sound, your visuals need to look even better.
Professional-looking videos usually require a good camera, a quality script and the right filming location, in addition to great editing and effects. Although this can be done in-house, working with video production professionals can unlock access to the right equipment and lend you years of experience in creating visual content.
Informative and entertaining videos will draw in viewers whether there is sound or not. It’s important to remember, though, that more and more videos are being watched in silent mode. For this reason, your videos need to be visually striking and easy to understand. Say hello
to Spin Creative to get started on your next social video project.
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Spin Creative is a video production company and creative agency helping marketers create winning video and creative strategies that engage, inspire and activate targeted audiences. Spin is headquartered in Seattle with offices in San Francisco and London, serving brands around the globe.
In 2025, digital marketing continues to be a dynamic force—shaped by shifting consumer behaviors, ever-changing platform algorithms, and increasing privacy regulations. For brands looking to maintain relevance and performance in a crowded space, staying ahead means being strategic, adaptive, and creative. At Spin Creative, we believe that clarity in brand storytelling, paired with a smart digital approach, can help brands rise above the noise.
A great video marketing campaign doesn’t start with creative—it starts with strategy. To make an impact, your brand needs more than a beautiful video; it needs a plan that aligns with your audience’s needs, your business goals, and the right distribution channels.
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