Yes, Facebook stories can have audio. Facebook introduced the ability to add audio to stories in 2020. This allows users to add short audio clips and voiceovers to their stories on Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram.
How to add audio to Facebook stories
Adding audio to Facebook stories is easy to do right within the Facebook and Instagram apps. Here are the steps:
- Open the Facebook or Instagram app and tap on your profile picture or the camera icon to open the stories camera.
- Take or select a photo or video for your story as usual.
- Tap the microphone icon at the top of the screen.
- Tap and hold the mic button to record up to 30 seconds of audio.
- You can pause and resume recording as needed until you get the clip you want.
- Tap “Done” when finished.
- Your audio clip will be added as an overlay on your story. You can move it around to reposition it.
- Customize your story with stickers, text, drawings or other creative tools as desired.
- Tap “Your Story” at the bottom to post it.
The process is quick and easy. You don’t need any special equipment – just use your phone’s microphone to capture audio clips to personalize your stories.
Audio options for Facebook stories
There are a few different options for adding audio to Facebook stories:
- Record audio: You can record short audio clips of up to 30 seconds directly within the Facebook stories composer, as described above.
- Upload audio: If you already have an audio file saved on your phone, you can upload it and add it to your story. Accepted formats include MP3, WAV, ACC and M4A files.
- Use Facebook music: Facebook offers a library of licensed music that you can search through and add to your stories. This allows you to add music and songs without owning the rights.
- Save audio: Any audio you record for a story is saved to your device’s media storage. You can reuse your own audio clips in multiple stories.
Being able to add original audio to stories lets you showcase more of your own personality and voice. You can use audio to narrate your experiences in your own tone.
Benefits of using audio in Facebook stories
Here are some of the benefits of using audio clips in your Facebook stories:
- Lets you narrate and personalize your stories with your own voice.
- Audio adds an additional layer of creativity and expression.
- You can use music to set the vibe or mood for your story.
- Audio enhances videos with overlays of music or narration.
- Allows you to embed more of your unique personality into stories.
- Can increase engagement as sound grabs viewers’ attention.
Adding audio is optional, but it gives you more tools to make your Facebook stories stand out and connect with your audience.
Audio considerations for Facebook stories
When adding audio to your Facebook stories, keep these tips in mind:
- Use original audio when possible for a more unique, personal vibe.
- Balance any background music with your voice audio so both can be heard.
- Watch your audio levels to prevent peak volumes or clipping.
- Edit audio clips to keep them concise and captivating.
- Ensure you have rights to any copyrighted music you add.
- Add text captions to summarize audio clips for accessibility.
- Follow Facebook’s community standards when using audio.
Testing your story with and without sound can help you refine it. Make sure audio enhances your story before sharing it widely.
Audio ideas for Facebook stories
There are endless creative ways to use audio in your Facebook stories. Here are some ideas to inspire you:
- Narrate a behind-the-scenes look at an event or experience
- Do a mini podcast or commentary about your thoughts
- Add voiceovers to product demonstrations
- Create an audio meme or viral sound
- Share motivational audio quotes over images
- Revamp old videos by adding new narration
- Highlight fan audio submissions from questions
- Show off singing, music skills or sound effects
- Collaborate with a co-host for entertaining banter
- Remix audio clips into mashups
- Curate custom music playlists to share
- Teach a quick lesson or how-to
Think about your niche, brand and audience interests when brainstorming audio story ideas. Tailor your audio approach to your style and strengths.
Best practices for audio in stories
These tips will help you create quality audio for engaging Facebook stories:
- Record in a quiet space without background noise.
- Use a microphone for clearer audio if possible.
- Speak enthusiastically and conversationally.
- Script out what you want to say beforehand for smooth delivery.
- Listen back and re-record clips if needed until satisfied.
- Trim any unnecessary pauses or dead space.
- Adjust volume levels evenly across clips.
- Add text captions summarizing your audio content.
- Use audio effects like trimming, fading, and texturizing for polish.
- Apply noise reduction to minimize background sounds if needed.
Finishing touches in an audio editing app can take your audio stories to the next level. But the Facebook and Instagram tools offer plenty to start with.
Audio story examples
Need some inspiration? Here are examples of popular brands using audio creatively in their Facebook stories:
- Google includes employee narration in their story tour of offices.
- Glossier adds music and voice clips announcing new products.
- Airbnb uses ambient sounds from location visits over videos.
- GoPro shows action camera audio like skiing and biking.
- Buzzfeed includes funny actor voiceovers on viral videos.
- TED overlays conference audio of speeches into summaries.
- Casper adds soothing narration to bed and mattress content.
Study how leading brands utilize audio in stories for inspiration for your own content techniques and experiments.
Summary of key points
Here are the key takeaways about using audio in Facebook stories:
- You can record up to 30 seconds of audio directly within Facebook stories.
- Adding original audio makes stories more unique and personal.
- Audio can increase engagement and interest when done well.
- Balance voice, music and sound effects for best results.
- Script out narratives and use audio editing for polish.
- Follow best practices for clear, quality audio recordings.
- Experiment with different formats like voiceovers, songs, interviews and more.
With the ability to easily add audio now built into Facebook stories, you have a new creative tool to make your marketing stand out. Take advantage of this feature to connect more authentically with your audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add music to my Facebook stories?
Yes, you can add music clips and songs to your Facebook stories. You can either record your own audio, use the Facebook audio library, or upload your own music files to include.
Do I need special equipment to add audio to stories?
No special equipment is required. You can simply use your smartphone’s microphone to record up to 30 seconds of audio directly within the Facebook stories composer.
Is there a limit to how much audio I can add?
Facebook limits individual audio clips in stories to 30 seconds. However, you can add multiple clips to extend your audio narration or soundtrack.
Can I reuse my audio clips in multiple stories?
Yes, any audio you record for Facebook stories is saved to your camera roll. You can reuse your own audio clips in various stories and posts.
Do audio recordings need captions for accessibility?
While not required, it is considered best practice to add text captions summarizing your audio clips. This helps make the content accessible to viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Statistics on Audio Usage in Social Media
Here are some interesting statistics on how audio is being used in social media:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Percentage of people who have listened to a podcast in the last month | 37% |
| Percentage of teens engaging with audio platforms daily | 46% |
| Projected global podcast ad spending in 2022 | $2 billion |
| Increase in #audio hashtag usage on TikTok from 2020 to 2021 | +3850% |
| Percentage of Twitter users who have listened to a Spaces audio chat | 45% |
As these stats demonstrate, audio engagement on social platforms is growing rapidly. All signs point to audio becoming an increasingly important part of social content strategies moving forward.
Conclusion
Facebook stories present a great opportunity to add audio for more lively and personal social storytelling. Recording voice clips, music, interviews and more can help you creatively engage your audience.
Make sure to follow best practices for clear audio quality. Take the time to craft compelling narratives and entertaining soundbites. The ability to add audio offers a new creative dimension for your brand’s Facebook presence. Find ways to develop and evolve your audio stories over time as you build your audience.
With some experimentation, you can develop an audio storytelling style that resonates with your followers. Adding your own voice into the mix allows fans to get to know you on a deeper level. So tap into the power of audio in your next Facebook stories. Let people hear more of what makes your brand special.