How Much Do Graphics Really Matter in Content Marketing?

Photo source: Pexels

In an age in which content is seemingly endless thanks to the internet, businesses must constantly find new ways to leverage their content marketing strategy to stand out against the pack. With 70% of marketers investing in content marketing in 2020, there’s too much competition for boring content to make the cut.

Graphics: The Key to Quality Content

If you’re struggling with conversions, traffic, and overall brand awareness in the saturated digital landscape, you are not alone. Spicing up content with graphics might just be the answer to your problems! Though creating quality graphics takes time and a sharp eye for design and storytelling, they are well worth the efforts, for they offer immense benefits to any content strategy.

Some of the most compelling forms of marketing graphics that are commonly used include:

• Infographics
• Blog Photos
• Social Media Photos
• Videos
• Memes
• Much More!

4 Reasons Why You Need Graphics for Your Content Marketing

If a picture is worth a thousand words, what is holding you back from integrating them into your content? Here are 4 reasons why graphics are a necessity in 2020 and beyond:

#1: Humans Process Visual Information Faster

Since the average consumer is bombarded with digital content daily, it can be difficult to create content that is memorable and cuts through the clutter. Due to the fact that 90% of the information processed by humans is visual, information in the form of infographics and photographs tends to stick a little more easily in consumers’ brains than written content.

Not only this, but graphics are also processed in the brain at a much faster rate than words (60,000x faster to be specific!). So, if a consumer sees a graphic from one business and a paragraph from another, they will most likely gravitate towards the business with the image. The easier it is for consumers to remember you, sustain their attention, and process the information that you provided, the higher the likelihood they will become your next customers!

#2: They Are More Shareable Than Words

Social media platforms are every marketer’s best friend for increasing traffic and brand awareness. No matter how great your written posts might be, they won’t have quite the level of engagement that you desire without graphics. Due to the eye-catching and entertaining quality of graphics, they have been proven to be effective at gaining more shares and virality on social media than words alone. Think about it, are you more likely to share a 2,000-word article or an aesthetically pleasing infographic that tells the same story in a concise way?

Of course, social media platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest are already primarily visual, but even platforms that don’t require pictures like Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin are more effective with a photo or video pairing. For example, on Twitter alone, it was found that adding an image along with a written post warranted 150% more retweets than tweets without images!

#3: Colors in Graphics Influence Mood

When it comes to content marketing, one of the most important questions marketers must answer is how they want their content to make their audiences feel. Whether you want a consumer to feel excited, nostalgic, or angry from your content, graphics offer you the unique opportunity to tap into the emotional headspaces of your consumers more than words ever could!

According to the studies of color psychology, colors have been found to manipulate people’s moods, appetites, and other physiological states. You can use this to your advantage through colorful graphics that elicit the emotions you are seeking out the most.

#4: They Easily Break Down Difficult Topics

While there is a time and place for long-form, data-driven written content, sometimes consumers need something that is easy to digest. Paragraphs full of complex jargon and lengthy explanations can feel overwhelming and dull to consumers looking for a quick answer to their question. Images can serve as a means of breaking up large text blocks within blogs and articles to make your content more readable for busy audiences.

Furthermore, using graphics, specifically infographics, can be a wonderful way to keep the most confusing information manageable. This is because they include helpful charts, graphs, numbers, and cartoons to educate consumers step by step rather than through huge masses of text.

Incorporate Graphics in Your Content Marketing Today

Now that you know just how much graphics matter, what’s stopping you from utilizing them? If you’re unsure where to start with creating impactful graphics, royalty-free photo websites are an easy place to begin! Incorporating graphics into your content marketing will elevate your content to the next level. Say hello to increased site traffic, shares, engagement, and ultimately new sales and revenue your way!