Use infographics to capture a wider audience

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Complex information is thereby presented quickly and clearly in an informative, fun manner.

Infographics hit our sweet spot –

Who doesn’t love Infographics? Well-designed Infographics incorporate information in easy-to-understand, eye-catching iconic images, integrating colorful charts and maps that can even move. Complex information is thereby presented quickly and clearly in an informative, fun manner.

The underlying reason for the explosive growth in infographics in recent years is simple: we’re visual beings (40% of our sensory awareness is visual) who naturally engage much more quickly with graphics than we do with printed matter. This finding is consistent with research showing that 90 percent of the information we remember is based on visual impact.

Bottom line: we live in an age where billions of pieces of content are exchanged on a daily basis – so it’s no surprise that visual aids, especially infographics, have become indispensable in online digital marketing. And standard infographics are easy to create: you don’t have to be a graphic designer to create an infographic if you use one of the free online tools to guide you through the process.

 

If you’re still not completely convinced of the benefits of infographics, consider the following advantages:

  • As constant consumers of digital information, most of have diminished attention spans – resulting in our skimming material instead of actually reading text. Retention of written content, unless carefully crafted and succinct, is down. By contrast, we are still likely to remember images.
  • Most digital marketers, including your competitors, take advantage of the fact that Infographics are easily shared around the web. How? Infographics published on WordPress blogs and websites include embed codes, establishing automatic links from the original site to others. They are easily shared on social networks and have a substantially better chance of going viral compared with text.
  • The more people who share of click your infographics, the better your Google Page Algorithm, key to your SEO and social media strategy.
  • Finally, because of their visual appeal, infographics are highly effective at reinforcing brand awareness.

The exciting advantages of interactive infographics

A relatively recent breakthrough, Interactive Infographics allow the viewer to interact with data-based images. They contain significantly more information than static infographics, allowing the viewer can actively explore an infographic-based dataset and even personalize it by entering their own data. Examples include pop-up charts, adjustable graphs, and clickable data subcategories that encourage viewers to delve deeper to engage more fully with your content.

Because interactive infographics are visually appealing and layered, it’s easy to assume their design requires time consuming, costly programming, but that isn’t the case. Web technology such as responsive design has helped make interactive infographics relatively easy to create. However, we at OWDT recommend that you get the support of a professional team like ours to help you create infographics, whether interactive or standard, that are capable of reaching full viral potential.

Infographics are integral to any effective marketing strategy

Infographics are now integral to how we communicate online. In fact, infographics are so widely used that they have become an essential part a part of any digital media strategy.

As discussed earlier, standard static infographics have given way to interactive infographics (some call them webgraphics), and, most recently, motion infographics. Motion infographics have the advantage of unfolding information in a controlled manner for concise, impactful storytelling. Most important, they’re highly effective at promoting your business and educating your target audience about issues that are of vital interest to them.

Infographics have the power to shift allegiances

Having online visual content embedded with links directs viewers to your website, FB page, Twitter, and other platforms. This helps you establish contact with potential new customers, potentially converting them to your products/services. Because infographics can present so much product information at a single glance, they are much more persuasive than written content in building new customer allegiance.

Guidelines for creating effective infographics:

  • Tailor infographics to your specific audience. Use A/B testing to determine the effectiveness of different visuals on your target audience. Some may actually prefer less visual content, though that is uncommon.
  • Focus on baseline data; add embellishments later for additional interest. Data is the foundation of any viable infographic. What makes yours, at core, distinctive and meaningful?
  • Don’t underestimate the amount of work required. The amount of research and design that go into a viral infographic is significant. Be prepared to make the necessary investment in time and money.
  • Ensure that your external sources are credible. Your reputation requires that you use relevant and trustworthy sources to develop the story- telling narrative you need to win over customers.
  • Maximize the use of visuals but keep them clean and easy to follow. When presenting statistics, use visuals instead of just writing out the number.
  • Give each infographic a story with a beginning, middle, and end.  Highlight what issue or challenge your infographic addresses and what, specifically, is actionable for your audience.
  • Use a simple, clean color palette with no more than three primary colors. Avoid white backgrounds.
  • Keep it clean and simple. People will find it easier to digest and retain information if you avoid cramming too much information or design elements in one infographic. Edit repeatedly until you get it right; keep written information to a minimum.
  • Don’t overuse infographics. Understand that, depending on the nature of the project, detailed research reports or even PowerPoint presentations may be preferable to developing an infographic.

Additional advantages:

  • You’ll increase interaction on your blog and enhance your brand recognition by sharing infographics.
  • Using infographics can help build your reputation as a thought leader in your niche industry.
  • Infographics can be used in print and other media such as brochures and flyers, as well.