B2B companies that understand how to create an infographic have mastered a powerful marketing technique that combines the stimulating and complex data with the appeal of flowing, visually arresting images. Infographics are in high demand mostly because they increase website traffic and contribute to brand building. Humans are visual creatures, and content that involves intriguing imagery inevitably proves significantly more exciting – and shareable – than simple text.
Another reason infographics are so popular is because they can be used to illustrate a wide variety of difficult concepts and relationships. Because of this versatility, an actual infographic definition is difficult to nail down. At its core, an infographic is merely a visual portrayal of complex industry concepts with the intention to make those concepts both more digestible and entertaining to a broad audience.
It follows that infographics are a marketing tool. The best infographic is designed to attract the attention of potential clients who may have a vested interest in the data you’re presenting. Search engines are also drawn to websites that make effective use of images, which is why many search engine optimization experts now recommend the use of SEO infographics. When done right, they entice both search engines and potentially qualified leads to visit your website.
The design and content of an infographic are interconnected from the very genesis of an infographic. Unlike a magazine article that can be understood with or without its design, the infographic uses design principles to enhance understanding. As a result, there are important design and content principles to consider before making an infographic.
Graphics are the first element a visitor notices about your infographic. The appeal of the image needs to hook his or her interest long enough to allow the full impact of the cited data points and statistics to take effect. As you assemble the graphic components for your infographic, pay attention to the:
The graphics are the flash, but the content provides the staying power to any infographic. Viewers will be naturally attracted by the color and layout of your design, but the content is what will linger in their minds afterward. Presenting your data in a compelling way is essential to the infographic’s overall intellectual payload.
Every creative project or act of content creation starts with that initial brainstorming session where creative minds consult with industry experts and weigh their options. Several decisions should be made during this initial meeting: What are your goals for the infographic? Who is your target audience? What should their takeaway be from the infographic?
Ultimately, it all comes down to what kind of story you want to tell, and who you want to tell it to. The process can be very time consuming, lasting from hours to weeks. However, it is vital to have a solid idea of what the focus of your infographic will be before you move on.
The basic steps to planning out an infographic include:
Infographics don’t have to be made from scratch. There are many readily available, and free, software tools available to help you make an infographic with relative ease.
Each tool has varying levels of user-friendliness and capacity. Some have capabilities comparable to any Adobe program, but without the steep cost. Others provide templates where you simply plug in your information and they generate the image. There are some that provide chart and map interfaces.
Infographic software generally falls into two categories:
1. Open-source design tools. These are software applications that function similarly to the big-name photo-editing programs out there. They aren’t tailored specifically to help create infographics, but that is one application they can be used for.
2. Infographic template tools. These are software applications created specifically to generate infographics.
Creating an infographic often involves two distinct creative processes: writing and design. They can be carried out by two separate team members, such as a content writer and a graphic designer, or it can be assigned to the same team member who may have skills in both fields.
Whoever is involved, here are the basic steps to making an infographic:
Once you have your completed infographic, the next step is publishing and sharing it. Your website should always be your first destination for created content. Publish a blog post to elaborate on the subject matter cited in your infographic. Create multiple opportunities to share the infographic, either as a PDF or as an HTML code that your fans can use to embed the infographic on their website.
Here are some other locations where your infographic can gain online traction:
Sprint Marketing can show you how to create an infographic and help improve your infographic marketing strategy. While infographics can increase your social media standing, eBooks will also improve your company’s image as an industry leader. Sprint Marketing can teach you how to create an ebook and how to implement an effective ebook marketing strategy. Get a free leads analysis today!