Infographics have played a huge role in blogging and content marketing this year, and you should expect the same to be true in 2017 and beyond. However, since infographic creation is half art and half science, very few people have a thorough understanding of what it takes to be successful. Do you?
Here's Exactly What You Need to Know
Anyone can design a successful infographic. However, you must be willing to commit to learning the ropes. Using one of those quick online infographic builders isn't going to cut it. Here are a few secrets you need to know to be successful.
1. The Title is Extremely Important
When people run across your infographic, the headline is often the element that helps them decide whether or not they'll click and read. In order to maximize your chances of getting clicks and shares, the title should be short, accurate, and descriptive.
Short refers to 70 characters or less. Anything longer and the title could be cut off on certain platforms. Anything shorter and it's hard to be descriptive enough. Accuracy also matters because people don't like thinking they'll get one thing, only to get something totally different.
2. Color Schemes Matter, Too
People can be easily influenced by something as simple as color. Choose a scheme that makes people feel comfortable and they're much more likely to read and share than if the infographic's colors are unappealing.
Designer See Mei Chow advises clients to stick to two main colors and never use more than four colors. The one or two main colors should be clear and bold, while the complimentary colors should be subtle and warm. When you're tempted to use more colors, Chow suggests using more shades instead. Here's an example of an infographic with a good color scheme.
3. Include a Transcript for SEO
One negative about publishing infographics on your blog is that they don't provide much in terms of SEO benefits. All of the content is contained in an image that cannot be read or translated by search bots, thus their value isn't maximized. One way to get around this is by including a transcript of the infographic in text format below the graphic itself. This infographic from QBErrors is a great example. It doesn't take much time to transcribe the content and it provides a lot of lasting value.
4. Simplicity and Minimalism Rule
In case you haven't noticed, simplicity is the pervasive design trend on the internet right now. Everyone wants to see more white space and fewer unnecessary elements. When designing infographics, don't feel like you have to use every square inch of space you have. Leave some areas open to provide visual relief for readers.
5. Interactive Infographics are the Future
Have you considered interactive infographics as a possibility? "Interactive infographics are representations of information that allow the viewer to interact with the data," Visually explains. "As such, they're in a different league from static infographics. They take programming to create, they usually have a lot more data, and they allow the viewer to discover things on their own."
While interactive infographics take more time and expertise to develop, they are even more shareable and immersive. This leads to a greater return and a longer period of value. Here are some amazing examples.
6. Look for New Trends in 2017
While all signs indicate that infographics will hold their value next year, this isn't to say that the ways in which infographics are designed and shared will stay the same. New trends will certainly emerge and it's imperative that you remain nimble. Don't fight these shifts and instead be one of the first to adapt.
Leaders get rewarded way more than followers.
5 Secrets to Successful Infographic Creation and Dissemination was originally published on Due Small Business Blog by Angela Ruth.