People are visual animals because it is an easy way to process information. A study by the National Eye Institute found that humans can process images 60,000 times faster than text. That’s why it is so vital for businesses to use visual marketing tactics. Not only do visuals help people remember your brand, but they also help to increase website traffic and conversions.
Some interesting statistics about visual marketing include:
- A study by HubSpot found that blogs with images receive 94% more views than blogs without images.
- Infographics are liked and shared on social media three times more than any other type of content.
- When people hear information, they remember 10% of it three days later. However, if that information is paired with a relevant image, they retain 65% of it three days later.
As a result, marketing teams should invest heavily into creating eye-catching visuals. However, it’s not enough to make visual content – businesses must promote it across their channels to ensure people see it. With that said, here are the types of visual content to invest in for your business.
Infographics
Of course, written content like blogs and articles is still attractive to potential customers. Words are great for SEO purposes and for providing in-depth information. However, people are more likely to share and remember infographics.
Use infographics to distill complex topics into an easily digestible format. Research shows that people following directions with illustrations do 323% better than those who don’t. So, if you want to give your customers a step-by-step guide, consider using an infographic instead of (or in addition to) traditional written instructions.
To create a compelling infographic, write down the key points you want to make. Then, find or create artwork that helps tell your story while driving home those points. You can also use visualization tools like Google Sheets or Infogram to turn boring data into beautiful graphs and charts.
Images and Memes
When it comes to social media, images are worth a thousand words. Tweets with images receive an outstanding 150% more engagement than posts without images. And Facebook posts with photos in the content see 2.3 times more shares, comments, and impressions than those without them.
It’s not enough to add an image to your blog post or social media update – the image must be high quality and relevant to the text. For example, don’t just add a generic photo of a laptop to accompany a blog about SEO – use an image that directly relates to the concepts you’re discussing in the article.
As for memes, they can be an effective way to connect with potential customers on a more personal level. Research shows that memes increase brand association and purchase intent.
Choose something relevant to your industry or target market when creating or sharing a meme. For example, if you’re targeting millennials, consider using a relatable meme about avocado toast or student loan debt. Just be careful not to come across as tone-deaf – if you’re unsure whether a particular meme will resonate with your audience, err on caution and don’t use it.
Animation and Video
Video is one of the most effective visual marketing tactics because it engages multiple senses. Not only do people see the images on the screen, but they also hear the audio. This combination makes it easier for people to remember your message.
According to Wyzowl’s State of Video Marketing Survey, 87% of businesses use video as a marketing tool, and 99% of those don’t plan on starting shortly.
You can create many videos, including brand, explainer, demo, and customer testimonials. You can also repurpose blog content into animated videos or infographics to reach a wider audience.
When creating video content, it’s essential to keep your target audience in mind. What do they want to see? What type of content will resonate with them? As with any other kind of content, your videos should be high quality and offer value to the viewer.
Unfortunately, dedicating resources to animation can be challenging, especially when you don’t have the funds to hire animators for your marketing team. Fortunately, you can outsource the task to animation production companies to help you create quality content without breaking the bank. The service is in-demand, so you’ll have plenty of options if you pursue animation. The same goes for live videos, which you can outsource to professionals.
Final Thoughts
While the text will always be an essential part of marketing, don’t underestimate the power of visuals. By using creative visuals, you can make your content more engaging and memorable – both of which are essential for driving results.
Get visual and start pursuing some of these creative marketing tactics today!