Infographics are some of the most influential things on the Internet. When people see a visual representation of a particular piece of data, they will tend to remember it much better than just strung together words. And even more than that, a really good infographic can really make an emotional impact on a viewer. AS a result, it can be helpful to go through the process step by step from the beginning, in order to make it less of an intimidating prospect.
Step 1- Brainstorm Your Idea
Sometimes the hardest part of coming up with an infographic is getting an idea in the beginning. If you’re really hurting during this part, it can often be useful to look through sites online like Quora, LinkedIn Answers, Yahoo Answers, and so on. Basically, figure out what people on the Internet want to know about, what their questions are, and answer one of them in a graphic.
Step 2- Do Your Research
Do a basic Google search on your topic to start, and then branch out from there until you find reliable data on your topic. Make sure that you can be certain your data is as accurate as possible. This means sites that end with things like EDU and GOV for as much certainty as possible, though as long as a site has a good reputation you’re OK. It’s important to note that you should really avoid siteing places like Wikipedia directly, since you can’t be certain of its accuracy. These sites can great for finding better resources, but never as a source into themselves. This is because a lot of them are crowd-sourced and have unverified findings.
Step 3- Draft an Outline
Write up a flow for your infographic, including an introduction, space for graphs/tables, and so on. It can help to think of this as an article, except with graphics instead of so many words. Make sure you cut down on the words before finalizing the outline.
Step 4 Themes and Layouts
Sketch out a layout for the infographic, and add the thematical elements you plan on using, like pie chart, bar graph, and so on. It should match up well with the subject matter you’ll be using. For example, a topic that involves a particular area would work well with a topographical map. Use a program like Photoshop or Creative Suite to design your infographic. Don’t be afraid to go through a few different drafts.
Step 5 Share
Add your infographic to your site, and then share it on social media websites or other places like Pinterest, Stumbleupon, and so on to get the word about your infographic out into the Internet. Try not to spam people with the graphic or you’ll get negative press instead, but some judicious sharing can go a long way.
Other approaches you can take for your infographic include animated infographics, or even interactive versions or videos. No matter how you decide to proceed. The more the infographic draws in the attention of readers and captures their imaginations, the better.