Using Infographics To Grow Your Local Business

How your small business can benefit by employing infographics

So why use infographics?

Infographics have taken our world by storm, as we are all increasingly more inclined these days to process data visually than via the written word. Neuroscience explains why: according to 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 businesses are utilizing these visually pleasing, data-rich illustrations to educate and engage new customers.

Here’s a nice example of how one online marketer is using infographics to build his business.

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

• They are easily scanned and can be visually impressive, features that get the attention of web browsers today
• They present information easily and in an organized manner
• They help establish you as an authority on the topic
• They can go viral, which can result in traffic and search engine ranking rewards
• As images, they can be easily shared, which provides a number of benefits (based upon research conducted by social media expert Dan Zarrella, images have 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.

How to produce your own infographics

Want to make your own infographic for your small business? There are a growing number of sites and tools coming around now that enable you to jump in and fashion stunning infographics. At the most basic level you can make them in PowerPoint, which is easier than you might imagine. If you’re seeking a bit more advanced or polished option, you should look into a tool like Visual.ly, where you can customize existing templates to your needs, or possibly, use a service like PiktoChart or Infogram.

What if you can’t design a whit?

Simply outsource them. Sometimes we don’t have the time, skills or patience to get the job done, particularly if you’ve never really opened Photoshop before. Not to worry, as there are top-notch designers ready to create your infographics for you,and for a reasonable expense. A few 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 are no surprises come delivery time!