Looking for ways to improve your online content marketing?
Visual content marketing could be the solution you’re looking for. In fact, it has existed for a long time; however, today, it seems to have taken the helm.
Businesses have zeroed in on the science behind using visuals in content marketing, and it all comes down to how humans process visual information. A person can only retain 10% of the information after three days. If that information is presented with an image, a person can retain 65% of it.
Infographics lead the visual content marketing bandwagon with the highest usage at 36.4% compared to other visual media like GIFs, videos, and stock photos.
What are Infographics?
An infographic is a graphical representation of information or data to quickly communicate information. The word itself is a portmanteau of “information” plus “graphic.”
Marketers and businesses use infographics to boost brand awareness and increase customer engagement. Whether the information is highly technical or a step-by-step how-to article, companies can utilise infographics to convey the message to readers more effectively.
This holds true because it only takes about 13 milliseconds for the human brain to process images. That’s why readers prefer infographics and also why businesses prefer using them for content marketing.
When to Use Infographics for Your Content Marketing
Infographics aren’t all just the same type – you have timelines, flow charts, pie diagrams, etc.
While a large variety of information can be represented graphically, it’s important to understand when to use which type of infographic. Here are the most common types to do infographics:
Timeline Infographics
For displaying information that flows on a timeline, like the chronological order of an event, timeline infographics work best.
The elements create a natural flow from one milestone to the next, drawing the eyes naturally through the graphics. It also helps the reader quickly skip to the relevant milestone.
Comparison Infographics
Comparison infographics are extremely popular in the technology niche for comparing product features and specifications.
When your business needs to highlight the similarity and differences between two entities, objects, or ideas, a comparison infographic is the best way to present it.
List Infographics
List infographics work best when your business needs to communicate checklist-based information to your readers.
For example, it could be the documentation requirements for purchasing an insurance policy. You can present the list graphically for better retention.
Process Infographics
Create process infographics to visualise how-to or step-by-step information.
For example, if you want to publish a how-to article about dealing with sunburns, you can use infographics to quickly educate your readers on stepwise skincare.
Map Infographics
Use map infographics if you want to illustrate demographic data for a product survey result, customer statistics, etc.
Key Benefits of Infographics for Your Business
Infographics come with multiple benefits that expand beyond making information delivery efficient:
- Visual content gets more exposure on the internet. According to Jeff Bullas, the Forbes top influencer of CMOs, infographics garner 45% more user clicks than text-based content.
- Help your customers move forward in the sales pipeline. Since humans can process visual content faster, infographics help readers come to a decision quicker whether it’s to check out your product or register for an event.
- Infographics are shareable, more so than text-based content. Feature social sharing buttons on your infographics to enable the readers to quickly post and share them on their feeds. To some extent, this helps your brand get good better exposure.
- Enhance the credibility of your brand. Create informative, well-designed infographics that inspire thought leadership. There are countless online spaces where you can publish this content and get the desired traction you need.
- Infographics are an important resource for creating backlinks. Using infographics for your content marketing and for guest posting can help you receive a good backlink density.
5 Helpful Tips for Creating Engaging, Eye-Catching Infographics
Anyone can make an infographic. However, to make one that stands out and adds value to your content marketing strategy requires the knowledge of the following tips:
1. Bet on Uniqueness
In a sea of countless infographics, how will you make your content stand out?
Be original and create an infographic that your target audience can relate to. It should also resonate with your brand colours. Make it from scratch if you have enough resources.
2. Cut the Fluff
In the first place, you’re making an infographic to present data quickly. So, keep it straight to the point and less wordy.
3. Be Consistent
Creating an impactful infographic also encompasses consistent branding.
Your audience should immediately attach fonts, colours, style, and tone to your brand just by seeing an infographic. A professional graphic designer could help you create a palette.
4. Make it Interactive and Hierarchical
Interactive infographics with hierarchical text and elements help users better understand the flow of information and consume it easily.
This raises the bar on quality and information delivery, helping your infographic stand out.
5. Use Free Tools
The internet is an unlimited resource of free-use infographic websites like Canva and Visme. Such platforms offer thousands of free infographic templates in any shape, size, niche, and type you need.
READ: 10 Clever Content Marketing Tips to Improve Your Small Business Website
Amp Up Your Content Marketing with High-Quality Infographics!
Online marketing is evolving. It has morphed into something more than just paid ads and keywords. With this advancement, content marketing has only become a more important element for your online marketing success.
Time to level up your content marketing game. Add infographics to your strategy to drive brand growth and engagement in your business.
Don’t know where to start? Businesses are leveraging websites to make infographics (like Freepik, Canva, Slideshare, and more). You can do the same!
