Infographics are widely used, probably because ones that are well made can present dense information in a more manageable and user-friendly format. However, even though there are a huge number of infographics on the Internet, many of them don’t ever gain the momentum necessary to justify the amount of time spent making them. So, what makes the difference between an infographic that’s successful and one that struggles? Read on to find out.
Timeliness
It’s very helpful when an infographic is released that ties into topics that are already on viewers’ minds. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and an injury law firm used that opportunity to unveil a springtime infographic that explained the dangers of texting while driving.
At the same time, the US Department of Transportation pushed a huge advertising campaign about distracted driving that included website banner ads and television commercials. That high level of exposure for the issue of distracted driving created the ideal conditions for an audience that would also be receptive to an infographic about the same topic.
Uniqueness
Because infographics have become so popular as methods for getting points across, it’s crucial for any of the standouts to be boldly different. One infographic did that by turning anniversary gift shopping for your special guy into something that eliminates the guesswork and even makes the task fun.
That’s because the gift-giving infographic is brightly colored and styled after the kind of quiz you might read in a women’s magazine. It takes a person through a series of lighthearted but helpful questions intended to help a shopper buy a gift her husband will love. Because you don’t often see infographics of that type, this one resonated with viewers.
Great Data
Sometimes you already have the benefit of strong data, and the only missing piece is a great way to display it so people will easily absorb it, rather than getting overwhelmed by the breadth of what you’re presenting.
That was certainly the case with an infographic that highlighted the prevalence of prescription drug abuse. It used a color scheme reminiscent of goodies in an old-fashioned candy store. The graphic ended up getting shared by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and soon, some of the information from it will be getting repurposed for a billboard in Connecticut.
Usefulness
Shareability is usually the magic ingredient that can take a formerly little-known infographic into the Internet big time. When creating an infographic, keep in mind that people are more likely to share things with others if they find them useful. Try to focus on information that’ll not only come in handy for the first person who sees your finished product, but will also make that individual think, “This could help my friends, too. If I share it, that’ll be my good deed for the day.”
One infographic from CJ Pony Parts began by discussing the most common places in America where a person may receive a speeding ticket. Although a person who reads it might not be able to pack up and move to a place where receiving a speeding citation would be less likely to occur, the infographic continued by revealing the different colors of cars, along with particular makes and models, that are most likely to be ticketed. That information could be helpful if a consumer is in the market for a new vehicle. Jalopnik, a popular car blog, agreed that the infographic was useful, and decided to share it with its own reader base.
Popular Appeal
This final essential part of a worthy infographic just goes to show that there is still nothing quite like massive popular appeal to help something skyrocket to fame among Internet users.
An infographic made by Webpage FX focused on a question that probably every social media user has wondered at one point or another: What happens to my online presence after I die? It’s one of those questions that’s slightly morbid, but also generates a significant amount of curiosity. The infographic has already been featured on prolific websites like Mashable, Inc. and Lifehacker, among others.
For reasons that should now be clear, infographics that become extraordinarily popular usually have one or more of the elements you’ve just learned about. Rely on this information the next time you’re trying to make an infographic that gets maximum reach and respect in the online realm.
