Infographics are spreading like wildfire, and are one of the hottest tools in content marketing.

Why are they suddenly

…… more

so popular in almost every arena of business? What’s in it for you to use them NOW to market your business or practice?

Are infographics new? Not really. Visuals been around for years. In fact, I’ve had infographics on my website for years (check out my infographic for my Foxology System at https://thebusinessfox.com/system.html)  So what’s all the info-noise about?

What’s new is the execution: A new way of presenting concepts through pictures, avatars, colors, symbols, and graphic images, and sometimes several sets of symbols and charts in one document, in cool-looking simplified “snapshot” chunks of information. 

Why Infographics Are A No Brainer For Your Business

There are 4 big WHY-YOU-SHOULD-USE-INFOGRAPHICS in your marketing:

1. Infographics make it so easy for people to get and understand complex ideas and information.  You are making life easier for people. With attention spans shorter than ever, complex text takes too long. By the time you explain it in text, they’ve clicked away.  Pictures and images engage them FAST and gets your message through immediately.
2. A high-impact way for you to stand out, show off your “secret sauce” to outfox the competition (couldn’t resist that one!)
3. Easy, Fast, Cheap To Implement – The online resources and tools to make cool-looking, functional infographics are easier, cheaper, and faster than ever.
4. Infographics are here to stay; they are NOT a passing fad. Need proof? Look at the IPad and the assortment of tablets. Using visuals to make concepts, ideas, processes, systems, data easy to absorb is a proven mega-trend.

Why do people love infographics so much?

Different Learning Strokes For Different Folks

Recent research shows that most people prefer one of three learning styles: Visual, Auditory, or Kinestetic, (the kind of learning that is acquired by doing an activity).

The percentages of people in the ‘prefer visual category’ is very high. The research varies a bit, but sources at several universities claim anywhere between 40% and 70% of the population prefers taking in and digesting information visually.

Infographics help people receive and process information in the way that is preferred by a very high percentage of the population. tweet this

They love seeing cool presentations that chunk information down with ease and speed.

Infographics are visual explanations and messages, like the Nike swoosh – but on steroids. Tweet this.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, let me show you a couple of my favorite infographics:

For a sales technique:

www.springintosales.com 

 

 

The Perfect Blog Post

Ready to implement  infographics in your marketing efforts? Great, but where do you begin?

No worries, I’ve boiled infographics down for you into 5 major archetypes you can choose from right away:

1.      Processes/Systems  Archetype

Takes the complicated process or system, boils it down into organized images, symbols, and text to show how the process or system works

 2.      Concept Archetype

Takes a theory or concept and depicts it in images

 3.      Project Archetype

 Shows the steps, end results, & benefits of a complex project.

4.      Causes/Effects Archetype

Visually demonstrates how various elements, people, groups, initiatives interact, the results that are produced, and visually quantifies a rationale.

 5.      Structure & Content Archetype

An infographic simplifies the components and positioning of a structure, both tangible and intangible

(The archetypes can be blended but I strongly advise not getting too busy or complex in your infographic or the benefits fly out the window)

Here are 7 ways (just a partial list) to use an infographic to pump up your visibility and convert colleagues into new subscribers and clients:

1. Freebie for your website sign-up box
2. Value added bonus for a program, product, or book you offer
3. Added handout for a webinar or teleclass
4. Cool addition to a blog post
5. Stand out from the competition – instead of handing a prospect your same old brochure, hand out an infographic giving them something of real value.
6. Visual in a webinar or teleclass
7. Website graphic – feature a favorite infographic on your website

Who can use infographics? Just about anyone in business:

Legal issues  (lots of examples here http://pinterest.com/gneerllc/legal-infographics/ )

Health care

Food

Any How-to project

Tangible product uses

Spiritual practices

Book themes & reviews

Resumes/Job Search

Starting a business

Tax prep

Marketing

Press Releases

Launching a product

Corporate Initiatives

Government campaigns

How to use new software

and lots more…..

How To Get Your Infographic Created & Working For You Fast

To help you get going quickly, here are a number of resources you can check out and use to get up and running.

Here’s my infographic bonus for you:

The Anatomy Of  A Great Infographic

 

This will help you get your footing in mapping out an infographic.

 

 

 

 

Other Resources:

DIY Low Cost or Free Infographics:

www.piktochart.com

Cool Infographics Designed For You:

http://99designs.com

Outsourced services – freelance infographic designers:

www.elance.com

The Business  Fox Preferred Infographic Blog Posts

10 Awesome Free Tools To Make Infographics

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/awesome-free-tools-infographics/

Definition, Usage, & Popularity of Infographics

http://speckyboy.com/2011/07/14/definition-usage-and-popularity-of-infographics/

Finally – here’s a summary Into Action checklist for you:

• Research some great facts and statistics
• Draw some outcomes and conclusions
• Break a process down into steps
• Select your archetype
• Pick your theme
• Pick your color scheme
• Select icons and symbols
• Be sure to include your URL so people can find you
• Determine who will create the graphic for you

Got a great infographic tip or image to share? Post away!