Is your content strategy full of blog and social posts? That’s great! We’re a fan of text-focused content around here too. However, there are so many types of content out there that deserve a coveted spot in your strategy, including the infographic.
What Are Infographics and Why Do I Need Them?
Great questions! Infographics are simply images (or graphics) that are used to quickly showcase information. According to Hubspot, they’re one of the top four content formats used today.
Why are they so popular? Infographics have a ton of benefits. First, they’re great for sharing important information in bite-sized pieces, making the info easy to consume. Plus, they’re easily shareable, simple to create, and, when done right, fun to look at.
The same Hubspot data above found that 56% of marketers say infographics are their most effective marketing content type. Yes, you read that right. So, if you’re not utilizing infographics just yet, there’s no time like the present.
How to Write an Infographic: 5 Tips for Writing Compelling Copy
When it comes to creating infographics (and every other type of web content), design and copy go hand-in-hand. While the way your infographic looks is critical, the info is truly the focal point; it’s important to get your copy right. Hopefully, these tips will help.
1. Define Your Main Idea & Stick to It
The key to creating compelling infographics is to stick to one main idea. You don’t have a ton of room here, so you must focus. Ask yourself: what key point do I want to make to my audience?
All of the content you place into your infographic should be used to sell that key point. This includes any stats, quotes or other information you may use.
2. Add a Compelling Headline
The headline of your infographic is the first thing your audience will read. It should hook them into wanting to read even more.
A great way to start brainstorming a headline is to consider your infographic’s main idea (topic) and what your audience can expect to gain from reading about it (value). For example, if we were going to create an infographic for this guide, here’s an option we might consider:
“5 Tips for Writing Infographic Copy That Inspires Your Audience”
In this example, the topic is writing infographic copy while the value is inspiring your audience. Simple enough, right?
When writing your headline, make sure to keep it as concise as possible. You’ll also want to add in some power words to evoke emotion within your audience.
3. Keep the Copy Short & Simple
Readers shouldn’t have to scroll over and over again to get to the end of your graphic. Instead, keep it short and simple, focusing on your key points. Remember, this isn’t a blog post. Pick out the most important facts about your topic and use those in your design.
Pro Tip
Be sure to use short sentences and refrain from writing large paragraphs of text.
4. Use Simple Formatting to Highlight Key Points
Have some fun with your formatting to draw attention to your key points. Instead of using paragraphs, try bulleted lists. Or, try bolding or underlining certain words and phrases that pertain to your key point. You can even throw in a few headers here and there to break up your graphic.
Pro Tip
It’s important to use an easy-to-read font size when creating infographics. Stick to at least 10 point font!
5. Use Updated Sources
Stats and quotes from industry leaders are a fantastic way to add some oomph to your infographics. However, be sure to use updated sources whenever possible. We recommend that you avoid using sources that are more than three years old. You want to deliver the freshest information to your audience.
Putting Together Your Infographic
With your content written and ready to go, you can now put together your infographic. If you have a graphic designer on staff, fantastic! Otherwise, there are plenty of free tools you can use to create simple infographics fast. Some of our faves include:
As you’re building your infographic, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, remember to consider your branding when selecting colors and images. Next, utilize the templates the above tools provide. They’ve done the hard work of design for you!
Finally, don’t forget to add your business name, website and contact information to the footer of your infographic. It will be shared and you’ll want to ensure you capture any leads that may result from your awesome content.
Some Infographic Examples for Inspiration
Need some inspiration? Check out some of these compelling infographics we found across the web.
Need Content Help? We’ve Got You!
Need help writing inspiring infographics? Looking for writing support for another type of content? We just might be able to help! Reach out to the Word Nerds today.
