This guide outlines the 7 golden rules to create infographics that impact strongly on your audience for sharing. Social sharing of infographics has made them an incredibly popular marketing tool. Done well, they can garner thousands of shares and plentiful leads. Done poorly, they make your business look unprofessional. Instead of throwing together a sloppy infographic, take the time to create infographics that are awesome. It will pay off…
How to create infographics that have impact
1. Tell a story
The best infographics don’t simply list random statistics. They follow a logical path, so the viewer can read their way through the graphic. The “story” need not adhere to typical story structure, but it should flow naturally from beginning to end. Of course you want to draw potential clients to your site with a great graphic, but you also want them to learn something from it. The more intriguing the information used to create infographics, the more likely your infographic will be shared. If you’re rehashing things people already know or you sell too hard, no one will be interested.
2. Use credible sources
The foundation of an awesome infographic is reliable data. If the data used to create infographics isn’t backed by credible sources, you can kiss your own credibility goodbye. Properly evaluate all sources, especially those found online. Consider who conducted the research and why, who paid for the research, and where it’s published. Web sources that can be edited by anyone, such as wikis, aren’t typically trustworthy. You should also be wary of websites without an author or publication date available.
3. Cite your sources
Just as important as collecting credible sources is listing them in your infographic. Including links with your citations is even better to create infographics. Some infographics may be based on a single study, so naturally there would only be one source listed. Some will have many sources listed. Use exact URLs when possible, so readers can go to the original source for more information. This EQ vs. IQ infographic is a great example of source citations.
4. Design is everything
After credible data is collected and the infographic is written, your designer can take over to create infographics for you. Designers work with writers to determine which pieces of information should be featured most prominently. They arrange the information so that the graphic visually flows with the story, leading the eye through the data. It must be readable, high resolution, and scalable for all devices. The lengthier the infographic, the tougher it will be to create one that’s suitable for social sharing. If that is the goal, it’s sometimes best to create a second, shorter infographic specifically for social sharing. You can link that to the longer version. This project management infographic features a clock at the center and leads your eye through the statistics in a clockwise pattern that both suits the topic and makes the information easy to follow. You can find some fantastic infographics already created that would suit your purpose.
5. Keep it simple
The very nature of an infographic means it must be easy to digest. The content should be clear and simple. Present data as succinctly as possible. The design should be uncluttered and readable to create infographics with impact. Don’t confuse simplicity for boring, though. An awesome infographic must be simple, but it can still be exciting. This infographic about how music affects your driving shows how an infographic can be graphically complex and filled with content, but still clear and readable.
6. Don’t be selfish
You want to draw attention to your brand. Don’t beat people over the head with it in infographic format. When you’re coming up with ideas for a graphic, think beyond your own business. Let’s say you’re the owner of an independent coffee shop. Rather than create infographics about your own shop, consider a graphic about cafes around the world, ways of roasting coffee beans, or other awesome small businesses located around your city. Broader subjects are more interesting and more likely to be shared than a promotional graphic about you, which amounts to nothing more than an ad.
7. Remember your customers
An awesome infographic creates interest in your business. When considering subject matter and design, don’t forget who you’re targeting to create infographics that engage. If you have customer personas, share them with your writer and designer. If you’re doing it yourself, leverage the customer data you have to form infographics your customers will find interesting. Your infographic could speak to a problem your potential customers are seeking an answer to. It can speak to their other interests or to the reason they’re interested in your business. Share the infographics in the social media sites where your targets are most active.
The benefits when you create infographics with impact
In order for you to be convinced once and for all of the importance of infographics for your company, below are 6 reasons to start using it in your marketing strategy now:
1. Attracts readers much more
Choosing to create infographics in your digital marketing strategy may be the best way to attract readers to your company, especially in the digital age in which we live. That’s because, whatever the type of information conveyed, it will draw a lot more attention from customers by using visual resources instead of just texts. Therefore, you can use and abuse images, illustrations, drawings, figures, graphics, etc. When combined with text, such elements become a powerful information dissemination tool.
2. Can be easily shared
Another advantage of using infographics is that they can be easily shared, especially on social media, which generates a great deal of interaction with the public. Thus, content that could present itself as boring if produced only in plain text ends up going viral in digital media. Your brand will go even further and you can even become an authority on the subject for the ability to take complex content in a simple and attractive way.
3. The content is highlighted
On the internet, thousands of information are shared every moment. Videos, texts, images, podcasts and gifs are some of the main formats in which this content is presented to the public. In the midst of so much data, it’s difficult for any company to stand out and get the much-desired attention of customers unless you go to create infographics. With a relevant and visually appealing infographic, you can be sure you’ll reach people and, what’s even better, stand out among so many other online content.
4. Can cover any subject lightly
The purpose to create infographics, as the name implies, is to address information, data, statistics and other types of material that may not be well understood or become tiresome when written in a common way. In other words, it is through images, pictures and texts, all combined, that you will fix the subject in the reader’s mind, in a simple, practical and relaxed way.
Through this visual resource, you are free and much more relaxed to approach complex and difficult-to-understand subjects, whether about your company or about your products or services. In addition, the infographic has the power to take the weight off that data-filled read, turning what seems complicated into an excellent marketing strategy.
5. Improves SEO
The fifth reason you should create infographics for your marketing strategy has to do with Google search page placement. For those who produce content online, the biggest challenge is to stay on the front page in order to be seen by people. As Google does not interpret and recognize images, the biggest advantage of your infographic must be a short text that describes the content of the material.
Thus, you strengthen your company’s SEO , which is nothing more than the keyword that will drive customers to your website or blog and help you reach the best positions in Google’s ranking.
6. Reduces costs
As if all the reasons mentioned above weren’t enough, the use of infographics can be an excellent way to reduce costs with marketing strategies. That’s because content produced online is much cheaper than traditional formats such as television, magazine and billboard ads. In any case, it is very important to create infographics that are not only attractive but also creative. Furthermore, the infographic must be able to bring knowledge and relevant information to as many people as possible.
Conclusion
Infographics can be a lot of fun, both to create and share. But like any other marketing effort, if you don’t put in the effort, it will show in your final product. With the right approach, you can make an awesome infographic your customers will read and share.
