5 Tips: Music Composition for Social Media Posts

Published on 31 July 2023 5 min read

Find your social media voice
Keep the mood and tone consistent
Consider the platform and audience
Use music to enhance your brand
Experiment and evaluate

With the explosion of social media, music composition has found a new playground. Just as a catchy tune can set the mood for a movie, the right music can turn an ordinary social media post into a viral sensation. If you've ever wondered how to use music composition for a social media post, you've come to the right place! In this blog, we'll share five tips that can help you hit the right note.

Just like a singer needs to find their unique voice, you need to find your unique social media voice. This means understanding what makes your brand or your personality stand out and how to express that through music.

Understanding your brand's personality

Think about your brand as if it were a person: what kind of music would it listen to? Would it be a head-banging rock fan or a smooth jazz lover? Once you have a clear picture of your brand's personality, you can select music that matches it.

Tip: If you're a fun, youthful brand, consider using pop music or upbeat tunes.
Tip: If you're a more serious, professional brand, classical music might be a better fit.

Expressing your brand's personality through music

Now that you know what type of music represents your brand, the next step is to incorporate that music into your social media posts. Remember, the goal is not to overpower your content with music but to enhance it.

Tip: You can use music to set the mood of your post. If you're announcing a sale, an upbeat tune can create a sense of excitement.
Tip: You can also use music to reinforce your message. If you're sharing a heartfelt story, a slow, emotional track can make your post more impactful.

By finding your social media voice and expressing it through music, you're not just creating a post — you're creating an experience. And that's how you use music composition for a social media post to make a lasting impression.

2. Keep the mood and tone consistent

Consistency is key in music, and it's no different when it comes to using music composition for a social media post. Keeping the mood and tone of your music consistent with your brand and your message helps create a coherent and memorable experience for your audience.

Maintaining consistency of mood

Think of your music as the emotional backdrop of your social media post. The mood of your music can greatly influence how your audience perceives your content. So, it's important to choose music that aligns with the mood you want to convey.

Tip: If you're sharing a motivational post, choose an uplifting, energetic track that inspires action.
Tip: If you're posting about a tranquil early morning at your café, opt for a serene, calming tune that recreates that peaceful ambiance.

Ensuring tonal consistency

The tone of your music should also match the tone of your post. If your post is cheerful and lighthearted, a somber tune might seem out of place. On the other hand, a playful, jazzy number might not suit a serious, thought-provoking post.

Tip: For a fun, humorous post, a lively, quirky tune can add to the humor.
Tip: For a post about a serious social issue, a powerful, stirring piece can underscore the gravity of the issue.

When you keep the mood and tone of your music consistent, you create a seamless audio-visual experience that resonates with your audience. And that's how you use music composition for a social media post to create a cohesive and compelling narrative.

3. Consider the platform and audience

Understanding the platform and audience is a fundamental aspect of using music composition for a social media post. Music that works well on one platform might not have the same impact on another, and different audiences respond to different types of music.

Choosing music for different platforms

Each social media platform has its unique characteristics, and so do their users. The type of music that works for a Facebook video might not be suitable for a TikTok clip.

Tip: For platforms like Instagram and Facebook, where users often scroll with sound off, choose music that works well even in silence. How? Use a catchy melody or rhythm that visually syncs with your post.
Tip: For platforms like TikTok, where sound plays a major role, choose a popular or trending track to increase your post's visibility.

Understanding your audience

Knowing your audience's tastes and preferences can help you select music that resonates with them. Remember, what's music to one person's ears could be noise to another's!

Tip: If you cater to a youthful audience, current chart-toppers or indie music might be a hit.
Tip: If your audience is more mature, classics or soft instrumental music could be more appealing.

By considering both the platform and audience while choosing music for your post, you can create an engaging and effective social media post. It's not just about the right notes—it's about hitting the right notes with the right audience on the right platform!

4. Use music to enhance your brand

Music is more than just a backdrop for your social media posts. It's a powerful tool that can help to define and enhance your brand. Here's how to use music composition to amplify your brand's voice on social media.

Find music that matches your brand’s personality

Select music that mirrors your brand's traits. If your brand is vibrant and dynamic, opt for fast-paced and energetic music. If your brand is calm and serene, soothing instrumentals might be the way to go.

Tip: Make a list of adjectives that describe your brand. Use these words as a guide when selecting music for your social media posts.

Use consistent music styles

Consistency is key when it comes to branding. Using a consistent style of music across your posts can help to reinforce your brand's identity.

Tip: Stick to one genre or a specific set of instruments. This can help create a sonic signature for your brand.

Make music a part of your brand story

Music can play a significant role in telling your brand's story. Whether it's a jingle that embodies your brand's spirit or a theme song for your campaigns, music can bring your brand narrative to life.

Tip: Consider using original music. An original song can become closely associated with your brand and increase brand recall.

Remember, when it comes to using music for your social media posts, it's not just about adding sound—it's about adding value to your brand.

5. Experiment and evaluate

Music, like most aspects of social media strategy, is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It's important to experiment and evaluate your music choices. Here's how you can do just that.

Test different music styles

Don't be afraid to test different styles of music in your social media posts, even those that might be a little outside of your brand's usual genre. Different audiences and platforms might respond better to different types of music.

Tip: Use the analytics tools available on your social media platforms to see how your audience reacts to different music styles.

Get feedback from your audience

Your audience is your best critic. They can tell you what music they like and what they don't. Don't shy away from directly asking your audience for their input.

Tip: Polls and surveys are great ways to get audience feedback on your music choices.

Keep an eye on trends

Social media is all about trends, and music is no exception. Keep up with the latest music trends to keep your social media posts fresh and relevant.

Tip: Following popular musicians and influencers in your industry can help you stay on top of music trends.

Remember, the goal is to find what works best for your brand. So, don't be afraid to experiment, evaluate, and adjust your music strategy as needed.

If you're looking to further enhance your social media posts with music composition, don't miss the workshop 'Effective Social Media Strategies For Creatives' by Shannon. This workshop not only covers effective strategies for creatives but also provides valuable tips on how to integrate music composition into your social media posts to increase engagement and grow your online presence.