Last updated on December 1st, 2016
Infographics are an extremely effective way of sharing information. In fact, according to this article on CoSchedule, “Infographics are 30 times more likely to be read than a purely textual article.” That’s a whole lot of additional eyeballs on your content.
Not just that, but now that social media is one of the main ways people receive information, visual aids are the absolute best way to catch an audience’s attention. If you’re looking to add infographics to your content repertoire, these tips should help you make the most of your next campaign.
Tip #1: Give Your Infographic Purpose
We’ve all seen purposeless infographics. Any time a type of content gets attention in the marketing world, you’re bound to see that content everywhere you look, and infographics are no exception. You don’t want to be the marketer who’s more concerned with jumping on the bandwagon than producing something worthwhile.
Before you even consider creating an infographic, ask yourself a few questions:
- What is the goal of the infographic?
- Why is the information worth sharing?
- Am I offering something that will be truly useful or informative?
If you can’t clearly answer these questions in the beginning, then you – and your audience – will likely get lost.
Tip #2: Find Interesting Data
If your data and information are boring, your infographic is going to be boring. That’s just simple cause and effect. Even if your subject matter seems mundane, though, there’s likely something interesting to find there if you’re willing to look. Keep digging until you find it.
Don’t underestimate the importance of research, either. Make sure you thoroughly research and explore both the topic you want to present and any opposing views. Having a complete perspective on the topic will help make your infographic feel more comprehensive.
Tip #3: Tell a Story
Narratives are a powerful marketing tool, and that rule applies to visual content as well as copy. Lay out a design that tells a story and keeps your readers’ attention. You have to spark their curiosity and excite them from the get-go—just like an author writing a novel. Unlike an author, however, your medium is images, meaning your infographic should be visually stimulating. Typography is a useful tool in this regard, but it shouldn’t be the only tool you employ.
As this Smashing Magazine article explains:
More often than not, designers begin an infographic with a great deal of energy and excitement, but they lose steam fast as they continue down the page. This often leads to quick decisions and poor solutions, like using typography to show off a big number instead of visualizing it in some way.
And just so you know we practice what we preach here at SEO Advantage, we regularly produce infographics using the above techniques. Here are a couple of my favorites:
Once you’ve created your purposeful, interesting, narrative-driven infographic, it’s time to share! Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback, either. Although it may sting, take any constructive criticism you can get in order to make future infographics even more successful.
What other infographic tips have you learned? Tell us in the comments!