Since 2010, the amount of information in the world is believed to double every 11 hours. — MarketingProfs
As an organization, how do you break through information clutter? With infographics.
Infographics are a combination of text information and graphics such as charts, diagrams, and pictures. Over the past several years, the use of infographics has exploded, and if executed properly, information in infographics will be retained much longer than text alone.
Why are infographics so powerful?
Did you know that a post that includes an image receives 120-180 percent more engagement than a text-based post? This information isn’t surprising; according to the Social Science Research Network, 65 percent of the population are visual learners. Infographics allow the reader to visualize, process, and retain data.
This video by Column Five shows why data visualization is so important.
Data visualization isn’t enough to make infographics go viral, though. A good infographic tells a story, and every good story has a beginning, middle and end. Like every good story, infographics must have a hook that grabs the readers’ attention. The hook should be either in the center or the very end.
Other storytelling strategies including having a compelling title, providing the correct length, proofreading facts and figures, and citing sources.
Here are five ways that infographics can be used in your organization.
1. Communicate interesting facts
Some information is interesting and eager to be shared. This infographic demonstrates one way to explain the world’s population:
2. Raise awareness
Infographics can create a visual way to communicate awareness about an issue and drive sharing. This Green It infographic shows how reducing IT’s carbon footprint can positively affect a business:
3. Inform the consumer
More consumers are conducting online research before making buying decisions. Infographics are a way you can inform the consumer on a topic. This WineFolly infographic quickly helps the consumer identify what wines to pair with certain foods. This information will make the wine-buying process much quicker.
This infographic informs the consumer.
4. Compare and contrast
These infographics can be used to convince people of the obvious advantages of a idea, product or service. Often times it can be difficult to communicate comparisons in writing.
This infographic explains the differences between marketing artists and marketing scientists. The goal is to help the reader find a balance between the two to drive success in marketing:
5. Present survey data
Infographics are great at communicating results from surveys because many people find statistics and numbers overwhelming.
The graphs and images help the user draw meaning from the data. In this infographic, Cisco explains the results on 1,300 IT decision-makers and their expectations and challenges of moving to the cloud:
Other tips: Social Media Examiner gives you seven tips on how to create an infographic that will boost shares and leads, and Emilie Futterman of the mobile strategy firm Fueled offers other ideas as well.