Posted by Kim Willems, Social Media Specialist

Whether you’re looking to pair your meat with wine or gauge the cost of living on another continent, chances are, there’s an infographic for it.

The use of the infographic has really skyrocketed over the last few years and it appears that this is one marketing trend that’s here to stay. Why is it so popular? Consider the visual appeal these pieces have and their ability to simplify an idea and tell a story through pictures and words. On top of that, infographics are informative and engaging … easily shareable, too.

So where do you start in experimenting with this format and creating infographics that will appeal to your audience? Here’s a look at some of the basics.

Identify good subject matter. Do you ever draft a piece and feel like the big points get lost in the long string of text or the numbers/comparisons become too complex? This is prime content for an infographic. Make a plan for how you can combine data and visuals and better convey your ideas to readers.

Get inspired. Not sure what kind of look you’re going for or how to pull all of your points together into one cohesive piece? Find inspiration by going through other infographics online. Keep a file of likes and dislikes and note any elements that grab your eye.

Try different programs. As infographics have evolved, so have the options available to create them. Check out some of the many programs like Piktochart, Easel.ly and Venngage and see what works best for you.

Make your piece pop. A great design will get your piece noticed. Use colors that work well together and incorporate images that stand out. Be creative with your layout.

Keep it simple. Remember that one of the main advantages of an infographic is the ability to streamline the information presented. If your piece is getting wordy or there are too many graphic elements competing for attention, re-evaluate.

Promote and track. Once your infographic is ready for the world to consume, don’t just put it on your site and hope for views to pour in. Be proactive about posting to social channels and making it shareable and SEO-friendly. Once you’ve published, monitor the analytics.

Infographics seem to be everywhere on the web these days, covering every kind of topic imaginable. See what kind of success you can have with them by following some of the basics and creating your own masterpieces.