Content marketing as an effective engagement tactic remains on the rise and won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Naturally, this means that you have to re-evaluate your current strategies and see how you can capitalize on content marketing to showcase your brand message. Of course, you’re always dealing with competition, so you must focus on the content that gives you the best results. In this case, your best bet is visual content.
Visual content is straightforward and easy for your audience to process. It is also scientifically proven to engage audiences more than blocks of text. Seeing how effective it is, there is no reason for you not to start using visual content to boost your website traffic.
Thankfully, there are different types of visual content that you can use, and this article discusses seven kinds that resonate effectively with audiences.
1. Videos
There’s no doubt about the effectiveness of videos as visual content. Videos have proven incredibly popular over the last few years, as audiences now have more interest in video content than other types of content. Thankfully, technology has made it possible for the video production process to be simpler and easier than before. And you can use the videos you create to represent your product and brand perfectly. There are also numerous tools online that help you create how-to videos, product demo videos, customer testimonials and animations professionally.
Videos are proven to increase conversion rates when used on landing pages. One study reports that posts with videos get 300 percent more inbound links. There’s no reason not to use videos, given their effectiveness and increasing popularity among searchers.
2. Infographics
If you have complex data or step-by-step instructions to present, infographics are the best format to use. Infographics allow you to divide your data into smaller, more digestible bits. Simplifying data makes it easier for your audience to process and understand information. You can assemble detailed statistics into groups to provide valuable insights at one glance.
Infographics are not only suitable for complex data, but they’re also great for instructions and how-to guides. Converting a guide into an infographic makes it more shareable. This visual content help shows off your expertise and knowledge in a user-friendly, easy-to-read format.
3. Images
Images help spice up textual content. Remember that large blocks of texts bore readers and can cause them to abandon the page. The human attention span is only getting shorter, so you’ll need to put in extra work to retain your audience’s attention – and images help you do this. Be sure to use high-quality photos that relate to the content and are not just decorative.
The number of images included in your content depends on certain factors. According to content creators at some essay writing websites, certain ratios offer high shareability and engagement. A good ratio to use is one image for every 100 words. Content that leverages this ratio is more likely to get likes, shares and views.
4. Data Visualization
Apart from infographics, diagrams, graphs and charts also help readers visualize data with ease. Users tend to engage with content that doesn’t overwhelm them with information. This is why you need data visualization. In addition, you can make your content more visually appealing with tables and charts.
5. Memes
The word “memes” was initially used to describe a concept capable of replicating itself. It can also mean different things to different people. However, these days, “meme” refers to images or videos with funny connotations. At first, people didn’t think they would become an essential tool in content marketing, but the opposite is true.
Memes are now used to send a powerful message and forge meaningful connections with online users, especially with younger audiences. However, they work only in specific industries – not all brands benefit from the use of memes. So, make sure your brand messaging aligns with their humorous, candid nature.
6. Annotated Screenshots
This type of content is the best way to convey a step-by-step tutorial. You will bore your audience with long blocks of texts and paragraphs, but with visual demonstrations, your information is more instructive and attractive. Underlining content, adding arrows and putting crucial points within squares and circles enable the audience to follow the ideas easily.
While annotated images may be effective for some audiences, others may need extra text instructions. So, know your audience and use what works best for them.
7. Presentations
Another format that content marketers are using is presentations. They make your content easily shareable on the increasingly popular platform, SlideShare.
Make sure that there is a consistent look across your presentations, including colors, fonts and borders, to prevent clutter in a small space. Add text captions and keep the text free of grammar and spelling errors before getting your content across to the readers. Take extra time to ensure the quality of your data and share your sources.
It is a good idea to share your presentations on a platform like SlideShare. Your content may be featured on its homepage in the “Trending in Your Network” section or among the “SlideShares of the Day.” These are good opportunities to expand your reach, speak to a newer audience and boost your website traffic.