How to use infographics in your business
So why use infographics? Infographics have taken the world by storm, as we are all increasingly more inclined to process data visually than via the written word. Neuroscience explains why: based on research from 3M (maker of Post-its, among other things), 90% of data transmitted to the brain is visual, and visuals are processed 60,000X faster in the brain than text! So some smart person somewhere invented infographics (probably Al Gore) to help us tell our stories. Now, smart companies are utilizing these visually pleasing, data-rich illustrations to educate and engage new customers. Here’s a nice example of how one online marketer is employing infographics to build his business.
There are many great reasons why you should consider using infographics in your business. Here’s a handful:
- They are visually impactful and easily scannable, both aspects that match up with today’s web browser
- They present details easily and in an organized manner
- They lend authority to your expertise on the given subject
- They can go viral, which can result in traffic and search engine ranking rewards
- As an image, they are easily shared, and can make the rounds at many image sharing sites (as outlined by social media expert Dan Zarrella, images get more shares and likes on Facebook than any other post type—even video)
And as an example of some of the power of infographics, what better way than—you guessed it—check out this infographic from WebmarketingGroup.co.uk.
Want to make your own infographics?
Want to create your own infographic for your small business? There are more and more sites and tools coming around now that enable you to dive in and fashion stunning infographics. At the most basic level you can create them in PowerPoint, which is easier than you might think. If you’re looking for a bit more advanced or polished option, you should consider a tool like Visual.ly, where you can customize existing templates for your needs, or possibly, use a service like PiktoChart or Infogram.
What if you can’t design a whit?
Outsource it! Sometimes we don’t have the time, inclination or skills to get this kind of work done, especially if you’ve never done any work with images before. No worries, because there are great designers on the web just dying to create your infographics. A few of the places you can find that can assist you in this regard, and usually at reasonable cost, include 99Designs, Elance, Odesk, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com. You should definitely see samples, set parameters and expectations, and are prepared to communicate your vision clearly with your outsourcer, so there are no surprises!
