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In a digital age where you can only hold readers’ attention for a few short moments, infographics and other types of visual media are an excellent way to tell a story and share information in an engaging, memorable way. Infographics, in particular, are ideal if you have some interesting statistics to share and want to make a point that people will love sharing. The visual aid of a well-structured infographic can drive home any data-backed point that you want to make or any information you want to share, from the history of home décor to how to stock a cocktail bar.
Infographics are visual representations of information that mix text, charts, symbols, images, icons, and many other types of content. There’s often lots of data contained in infographics, but when designed well, these visual tools present compelling info in a way that can be digested in a few seconds. This makes them a fantastic way to hook readers quickly. Plus, if the information is presented in a captivating way, infographics are highly shareable. Indeed, infographics are extremely readable and engaging when done well.
Infographics are also wonderfully versatile. Though one of their most popular uses is to display statistics in the form of a graph or chart next to icons, maps, and other visual aids, you can create one on virtually any topic that has some facts you want to share.
Infographics are perfect for long- or short-form content. You can turn a “Five Best Cities to Visit in the Fall” blog into a short, scannable infographic or make one about the “Highest Paid Athletes of All Time” that dives deep into sports history. If you have a data-driven story you want to tell, infographics are a valuable tool to consider for your content.
Image via Flickr by londoncyclist
If you’re browsing sample infographics looking for a potential marketer to create this type of content for you, check to see how well the company knows these elements of a good infographic:
You can build a static infographic or an interactive infographic. The major difference is that static content presents material — text, graphics, charts, maps, etc. — in a straightforward way. The outcome is always the same, and the content never changes. Interactive infographics, however, present elements that the user can interact with, potentially changing the story that it tells. Examples include watching a video, answering questions, or providing some type of feedback that reveals new information in the infographic.
Static infographics are fantastic for linear stories with a single point. If the point you want to make hinges on the user’s perspective or needs, interactive infographic an amazing way to create content with several possible outcomes that change based on the reader’s input.
Are you curious about using some infographics in a marketing campaign? If so, you may want to work with a design agency to build a content strategy that capitalizes on the benefits of infographics. Browse through the sample infographics on each agency’s website as you research potential collaborators. The company’s portfolio should include a collection of past work from real clients as well as design examples showing off the agency’s abilities, creativity, and flexibility.
Look for static and interactive infographics to get an idea of the options at your disposal for a marketing campaign. Browsing lots of sample infographics will also help you come to the table with an idea of what you want your campaign to look like and the elements that you’d like your infographic to feature.
You need infographics because they’re incredibly effective. To put it simply, infographics have an effect on readers unlike any other type of content. They’re much easier to consume than blogs and articles (especially if you have some statistics to share), they can be skimmed through in seconds, and they’re a welcome visual break from the walls of text and redundant web designs that users come across when they’re browsing online.
Because infographics are visually appealing, they stand out from other types of content online. They’re also quicker to consume than video content, and unlike video clips, readers can quickly skim them without missing any of the key points you want to share.
Infographics are user-friendly, and they’re quite beneficial from a business perspective as well. Here are some examples of how this type of content can help you:
A major benefit of infographics is that designers can get pretty creative in how they lay out and present information. If you’re comparing companies that can create this type of content for you, look over their sample infographics to get an idea of what they can produce and whether that style will fit your needs.
You can get a pretty good feel for a design by trusting your first impressions and thinking about whether the information in a certain sample infographic is presented in a way that you’d like to emulate or expand on. You can be more thorough, however, by looking at samples with this checklist of the features essential to quality infographics in mind:
In addition to the above best practices for creating an infographic, you’ll need to consider how the content will display your business information, such as a logo, and whether you want to include links to your website and social media accounts. You’ll also need a strategy to take advantage of infographics’ natural shareability. This type of content is ideal for platforms such as Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. If you have a large following on one of these platforms, you can work with a designer to create an infographic specifically for that account.
Because infographics are so versatile, they’re valuable to anyone, regardless of industry, who wants to generate traffic, engage readers online, and create shareable content. If you need more convincing, consider these facts about using visual content as part of your marketing strategy:
Infographics aren’t a trend. Visual media is expected to account for the majority of communications this year, and visual intelligence is rising, with sites like Tumblr, Pinterest, and Instagram reporting steep growth on their platforms. The online world is leaning heavily toward visual media like infographics for a reason. This content is eye-catching, engaging, shareable, and entertaining. Consider incorporating infographics and other visual media into a marketing campaign to make a fantastic impression on your target audience.
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