Do you like to communicate visually? How about consume visual content that actually tells you something? That’s why infographics are so popular. They let consumers get information quickly and without doing a lot of reading. With infographics so popular these days, I have several posts that examine this phenomenon.
Not all infographics are created equal, and it isn’t necessarily all about quality. Rather, infographics come in different layouts and aesthetics, among other things.
Infographics are a very simple form of content marketing. They have the advantage of being visually appealing while also not costing very much to produce, which is increasingly important in the highly competitive world of content marketing. So, what are the seven forms of infographic? Timelines are a great way to show how your product is the latest thing, while data visualizations present complex concepts. Anatomy infographics show how something works, and process infographics demonstrate the work that goes into a product. Comparisons and lists present information in an easy-to-digest form. Finally, maps are awesome for surveys and study results. My recommendation is that brands not be afraid to use several types of infographics as appropriate.
As Nadya Khoja points out, there’s more than one type of timeline infographic depending on the type of information involved. Historical layouts star in brand stories, while chronological graphics show how things develop. Biographical layouts talk about someone else, while resume infographics showcase your personal brand. Organizational layouts are awesome for new employees learning the lay of the land, while project management graphics help workers see where they are in a process. They’re also great for internal communications.
If you want people to absorb information quickly, there are several ideal infographic layouts to try. First, there’s the “how to” guide, which is ideal for consumer products. Second, road maps are excellent ways to showcase strategic plans. Third, comparisons are way cooler than charts if you’re heading off against a competitor. Fourth, statistical graphics can make those study results more interesting. Lastly, informational infographics are highly versatile ways to show how you’re unique.
One reason that infographics can seem so intimidating to the content creator is the perceived requirement to have a lot of fancy applications and other “toys” to play with. Along with that is the misconception that these applications are expensive. However, increasingly the process is quite affordable. Here are some how-to’s.
Nadya Khoja’s post is a great place to start if you’re new to making infographics. First, she gives you the size requirements for each social media platform, which you’ll need to know before you begin. Then, she give tips on how to decide what to say within the graphic itself. With those decisions made, it’s time to decide on your basic layout, which she walks you through. Tips are given for each platform. Her conclusion is that making an infographic is easy, so long as you know your parameters before you begin.
Here, Vikas Agrawal talks about the importance of writing a script before putting your infographic together. After all, any kind of visual content needs to have its message planned out beforehand. Think of your script as a sort of blueprint for the rest of the production. First, have an awesome title, before you even determine the type of infographic you want. Your purpose and the title will help you choose. Next, write an outline and break it into sections. Each section will become a different part of the infographic. Construct an introduction that is focused on the reader and describes the rest of the contents in an engaging way. Finish your research and writing to finalize the contents. And lastly, be sure to cite your sources.
Want to make an awesome infographic? Here are some tips and tricks. First off, be sure to have a really great introduction. This will draw people in to look at the rest of the graphic. At the same time, make sure it is short. Next, structure the rest of the information into easily digestible pieces. With the information broken down, choose professional images and graphics to include. Then, ensure that your theme is consistent. Add your brand message and encourage social sharing. Lastly, make sure the infographic is easy to read on a mobile device.
On Instagram, infographics are especially popular with Millennials. And for most brands, this is a key consumer demographic. So, why are they so popular? For one thing, infographics make information easy to digest. Infographics cater to younger consumers, while older ones have preferred older styles of content. Brands need to cater to millennials because of their relatively high disposable income, and they love the kinds of product that have higher profit margins.
Making up cool infographics is all well and good, but how should you use them in your content marketing strategy? After all, creativity on its own only goes so far. Your items need a purpose to shine.
Using infographics in your marketing efforts is a great way to generate leads, and there are six reasons for this. First, they are highly shareable. Not everyone has time to read a blog post or product page, and infographics deliver key information fast. Second, studies have shown that infographics are very persuasive ways of passing on your brand message. Third, they’re attractive to marketers due to their being so easy to create. Fourth, visual content tends to get more engagement, and that includes infographics. Fifth, Google does process this type of content for SEO purposes. Finally, infographics help build consumer trust in your brand.
A lot has been said about the use of infographics on social media platforms such as Instagram. However, they are very useful on blogs as well, a fact which Vikras Agrawal is happy to point out. In fact, he gives us five ways to use infographics on blogs. First, these are easy to share on social media, just like any other image. Next, they can help you maintain your brand image through graphics. Third, infographics help you to optimize your blog posts for SEO purposes, because Google “reads” them. Fourth, they set the tone for the rest of your blog post. So, it’s worth trying something new by adding an infographic to your blog.
