Subscribe to Squarefish
Be updated on the latest news in
Virtual Assistance
One of the most effective and yet often disregarded mediums of disseminating information is using infographics. Despite what some people would think, today, more than ever, infographics are an extremely efficient method of informing people. This is because most people these days are always in a rush, more often than not preferring to use mobile phones for almost everything they need to know and learn. Infographics are a great means to supply that need, as they are easily viewed and digested, and it is both easier and faster to make compared to a video.
There are a lot of elements that go into what makes a great infographic.
Stocksnap.io photo by Rawpixel.com
But if they really are as effective as we say they are, why aren’t there more of them out there? Why aren’t we seeing them on every webpage, on every timeline, on every wall on social media? Well, there are certain things you would need to comply with in order to create a compelling and effective infographic. Despite what we said earlier about it being easier and faster to make, there are times that conceptualizing the content of the piece is harder than other forms of content. Here we explore why infographics are useful, what makes an impactful infographic, and how they can be used for SEO.
Why are infographics useful?
Before we explain why you should make use of infographics, we’re going to explain what they are exactly. Infographics are actually image-centric content that are utilized when large pieces of data are to be disseminated to a target audience. The visual-focused nature of infographics makes them easily digestible, making them an ideal content type for such a campaign. They can also be used in different ways, but usually they are used to educate people about findings of certain data analyses.
Their being easily digestible is the main reason why infographics are so useful. Human beings in general are highly visual learners, with 90% of information that is processed and stored in the brain coming from visual mediums. Effective marketing strategies know how important it is to tap into that, and make sure that they properly relay what they want their target audience to know. Infographics are also—and should be—visually appealing, which is always a plus; it also helps make them an easily shareable form of content.
One thing any marketer or content writer should keep in mind is that people love new info. Facts, figures, numbers; you name it. They will always eat them up, especially if you make use of a company with great content writing services, as they know exactly how to draw in a target audience with words. Another thing which makes infographics so great is their size. Despite the fact they contain large amounts of data, they are easily shared and posted anywhere on the internet because they are so compact.
What makes a good infographic?
Of course, not all infographics are created equal. There are always going to be ones that stand out from the crowd and achieve their creator’s goals. Designers need to keep in mind that infographics are extremely different from other pieces of content. With an infographic, you essentially only have one page to store all your information, and you need to make the most of what you have. You can even say an infographic is a static, flat version of a video, where your target audience basically see what they get immediately. Here, we lay down the key elements to making an effective infographic.
1. Visual flow
The very essence of an infographic means if it does not have a strong and appealing visual presence, it will be very ineffective in drawing its target audience in. Most pieces will read left to right, top to bottom in order to mimic the natural eye movements we are used to, and this is very effective. However, there are also other techniques creators can utilize in order to enhance the visuals. One way is to make use of a color palette and style guide. One of the more popular types of color palettes used in websites is the colorful combination of cool and warm hues. This shows visitors a wide variety of shades without overwhelming them, making it a very appealing theme to the eye. Despite the fact that an infographic is quite compact, it still needs consistency. Another thing to keep in mind is to make sure it is easily readable and most of the info is accessible at a glance.
Though seemingly easy, it can take a collaborative effort in order to create an effective infographic.
2. Have a good story
A good story is a core component of an infographic. This narrative is usually rooted in the data that will be visualized to make it easily understandable. Despite what we said before about people loving numbers and figures, not all data include statistics and numerical values. Data that infographics display can come in many forms; when we say you need to have a story, you need to remember that an infographic is different from a novel. It is an idea that is comprised of a couple of words, catchy headlines, and some well-composed visual themes. Making sure your infographic has a story makes it easier for readers to associate with it. If they feel this, they will be more likely to take your infographic to heart, and actually listen to what you’ve written there.
3. Call to action
In the end, an infographic will always have a goal. In order to achieve that goal, a compelling call to action should be used. A great way to do this is to ask people to share what you put out. Another thing to remember is to make sure branding and identification are always present in the piece. For example, if your infographic is about how plastic is destroying the world’s oceans, you can tell people the effects of not doing anything. Even something as simple as “Do your part in saving our planet,” already has the potential to be an effective call to action. Despite it not seeming like much at first glance, it will leave a lasting impression on the people who read it. It could be the difference between the reader actually doing something, or ignoring what they read completely.
How do infographics play a role in SEO?
Even when you look at it from an SEO point of view, infographics are still one of the most efficient digital marketing tools out there. A lot of companies have realized this as well, incorporating infographics into their SEO campaigns. One thing to note about infographics is that they are an extremely effective medium for link building, with a good piece able to generate a substantial number of backlinks. This is only the beginning.
Trends have shown that infographics are growing even more popular, with more and more companies and websites making use of them in their online marketing efforts. One of the main reasons why infographics are so effective in online marketing is that people in general will be more interested in a visual piece of content, rather than a plain nugget of information. A lot of people are more likely to read something you want to say when it’s in infographic format, rather than a plain, solid wall of text.
Conclusion
If you were to put out solely infographics, however, it wouldn’t be very effective. Knowing when to use these efficient mediums of informing an audience is key to their proper use. If you’re not really familiar with how to make use of infographics, it would be best to partner up with a company that offers an outsourcing of jobs related to infographic creation. Going offshore would also be an option here, as in today’s digital marketing landscape, you should really make sure you trust the best in order to get the best results possible.
