Did you know there’s an entire category of videos online dedicated to making grown adults feel all tingly? It's called ASMR, and it’s equal parts bizarre and brilliant.
If you’ve ever heard the term ‘ASMR’ and wondered what it means or are curious about getting into this content genre, keep reading because today we’re exploring all things ASMR.
What is ASMR?
Have you ever experienced a nice tingling sensation after hearing a particularly satisfying sound or when someone plays with your hair? Well, that’s ASMR. And if you haven’t, you’re not alone, as only around 20% of people experience ASMR.
For the uninitiated, ASMR stands for ‘autonomous sensory meridian response,’ referring to the tingling sensation people feel on their scalp, head, spine, or other body parts triggered by specific sensory stimuli. People who seek out ASMR claim it helps them relax, reduces their heart rate, and even helps them sleep.
And what is ASMR content?
Many see ASMR videos as slightly kooky, typified by creators (usually women) whispering into their microphones or tapping their nails on seemingly random objects.
But ASMR content is far more than that, and it's got more to do with health than you might think. ASMRtists aim to help viewers relax and sleep better by activating the feelings of ASMR through visual and auditory stimulation using techniques known as ‘triggers.’ ASMR triggers range from the tapping and whispering closely associated with the genre to more niche triggers like close personal attention simulated through role-play.
Are ‘brain-gasms’ a passing trend?
This phenomenon first gained traction online in 2010, when the initialism ‘ASMR’ was coined, and has since grown into a booming content industry.
According to Google, YouTube searches for “ASMR” grew 200% YoY in 2015, with top ASMR videos garnering over 16M views at the time.
In the almost decade since Google’s study, ASMR content has shown no signs of slowing down. Considering stress levels are higher than ever before, it’s no surprise people are looking for new ways to relax and switch off.
And ASMR content creators — or ASMRtists — are more than happy to help. Far from a passing trend, ASMR has proven to be a very lucrative niche for those who have won a loyal audience who tune in every day to get their dose of soothing, brain-fizzing, neck-tingling sensory stimulation.
How you can become an ASMRtist
Want to try your hand at making ASMR content? We don’t blame you! If you want to stand out in this zen yet saturated market, you need to up your game. Here’s how.
1) Find a niche to create content in
There are many people out there making great general ASMR content, but you’ll likely experience better traction by getting really good at one specific genre of trigger. For example, ASMR Bakery, which has around 2M subscribers on YouTube, specializes in long-form, no-talking ASMR, while Latte ASMR makes personal attention videos with incredibly high production values.
2) Get creative with your triggers!
Tapping and whispering are essential ASMR triggers, but creators who keep their audience engaged know how to get creative. The most innovative ASMR creators are always looking for new and exciting triggers, testing out household objects or unique personal attention role-plays. For example, creator SOFI ASMR racked up 10M views on TikTok with her ASMR thunderstorm video, which used a mike, tin foil, and an effervescent tablet.
3) Try different formats
There are many different ways to ‘do’ ASMR. Some viewers love to watch their favorite creators take requests on TikTok Live, while others prefer to watch hours-long trigger compilations on YouTube. Experiment to find what works for you and your audience!
4) Invest in your setup
Purchasing a semi-decent microphone is a must for getting started with ASMR. But ASMR isn’t just about audio; it’s about visuals, too. We suggest investing in an aesthetically pleasing setup with soft lighting, a recognizable backdrop, and, of course, plenty of cool triggers.
