How to use infographics in your business

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How your business can benefit by employing infographics

So why use infographics? Infographics have taken the world by storm, as we are increasingly more inclined these days to process data visually than through the written word. Neuroscience explains why: based on research from 3M (maker of Post-its, among other things), 90% of information 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 using these visually pleasing, data-rich illustrations to educate and engage new customers. Here’s a great example of how one online marketer is employing infographics to build his business.

There are a lot of wonderful reasons why you need to consider using infographics in your business. Here’s merely start:

  • 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 help establish you as an authority on the topic
  • One of the best benefits of using infographics is they can go viral, which can often result in large traffic spikes and search engine benefits
  • As images, they’re easily shared, which offers a number of benefits (as stated by research conducted by social media expert Dan Zarrella, images get more shares and likes on Facebook than any other post type—even video)

So to show you some of the magic of infographics, check out this infographic from MarketingTechBlog.com.

Want to create your own infographics?

If you would like to build your own infographics, there are sites and tools that enable you to jump in and develop breathtaking infographics. At the basic level you can make them in PowerPoint, which is not as challenging as you may assume. If you’re looking for a little more advanced or polished option, you might check into a tool like Visual.ly, where you could transform existing templates to your needs, or perhaps make use of a service like PiktoChart or Infogram.

What if you haven’t a design gene in you?

Simply outsource them. Many times we don’t have the time, skills or patience to get the job done, especially if you’ve never really opened Photoshop before. No worries, as there are top-notch designers willing to make your infographics for you,and for a reasonable cost. Some of these places include 99Designs, Elance, Odesk, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com. Be sure you request samples of their work, set clear boundaries and expectations, and communicate clearly your vision, so there aren’t any surprises come delivery time!