Generally, once a blog writer has mastered an infographic program, the process of creating a colorful, short post is much faster than writing a full-length blog. But do infographics really pay off for dentists?
The short answer is yes, and here’s why.
It’s Not Just The Information
Every writer hopes that the reader finds his or her riveting, but that’s just not always true. Motivation, attention span, and comprehension vary by person, but they’re crucial elements in determining the effectiveness of a post.
That’s where infographics shine. By reducing paragraphs of copy to a handful of easily grasped points, and surrounding those points with a colorful design, readers are far more likely to actually engage with the post. Infographics are more visually interesting, require a far shorter time commitment, and are easier to grasp.
That’s a win-win-win for dental practices, not to mention businesses, organizations, and individuals from across the spectrum of online posting. According to a 2017 report, infographics lead the list in terms of learning and retention of information, beating out commercials, articles with images, text-only articles, and blog posts.
To be fair, infographics don’t beat out commercials by much – about six percent – but you can produce a huge number of infographics much faster and far more cheaply than a single television or radio spot.
What You’re Shooting For
When it comes to infographics, less is better. Keep the copy short and interesting; 10 -12 words per point seems to work well, but that can vary by topic and the information you need to convey. Still, follow the KISMIF rule: “Keep It Simple, Make It Funky.”
Support your point with appropriate visuals – bar graphs with numbers, for instance, or teeth, or a toothbrush – since visuals have been shown to increase learning and aid attention by a factor of four.
Almost all the infographic programs offer a fair variety of stock templates to choose from, which simplifies the design process considerably. Generally, unless there’s a single point that is far more important than the others, you’ll want to shoot for a balanced approach in your design. Keep your visual elements fairly simple to avoid distracting the reader.
Finally, make sure that the reader’s eye is drawn logically from the first point to the last. An infographic is information, but it’s also an argument to do something. Generally, you want to draw the reader through to your call to action – call to schedule, visit your website, etc.
So, Why Isn’t This Post An Infographic?
For one simple reason: there’s too much information to convey in a simple, abbreviated, visual format. Consider the points about information, attention, motivation, and comprehension; those four alone might be enough for an infographic. Add in copywriting and design elements, layout considerations, and a logical progression to a CTA, and any attempted infographic would be too crowded to be effective.
When it comes to infographics, more isn’t better. The right words, the right visuals, and the right layout are keys to success for dentists who want to embrace this “short-form” social posting medium.