A step-by-step guide to creating your own infographic

Define your goal

The most critical question you must answer is the objective of the infographic. Why are you looking for an infographic? What should it accomplish? Why do you think it’s a good idea to show your data this way?

Consider the target audience

It’s also crucial to think about your target audience. It will only function if the people for whom it is meant are interested in it, find it simple to understand and believe it is valuable and worthy of sharing. Your audience should direct the wording, style, and design. Are they more concerned with figures? Then it could be a good idea to highlight those. Are they a more imaginative group of people? Then you can concentrate on the colors and other creative ideas. Take a step back and consider whether the infographic is likely to be interacted with by the audience. If not, think of other types of information, such as a white paper or a video, that would be more effective.

See what others are saying

Begin by looking for infographics on the topic you want to cover on the internet. Pinterest can be a good place to start with this. Unless your data is absolutely unique, there’s a good chance that someone else has previously looked into the topic. But just because it’s been done before doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it yourself. All you have to do now is make a higher-quality infographic. Perhaps you might better clarify the facts, make it easier to understand, or simply make it more visually appealing. Even if it hasn’t been done before, you can use this study to adapt concepts from comparable or related infographics to your own.

Prepare a brief

It’s time to put it all together in one brief after you’ve established your aim, examined your audience, and done some research. Everyone involved in the content and design should have a copy so they’re up to speed and working to meet a specific goal.

Think what data is needed and where you can get it

It’s now time to compile the data (if you haven’t done so already). This is a task that might be somewhat challenging. Not all data is created equal; not all data will be required, and not all data will be correct. Spend some time ensuring that your data is of the greatest quality and comes from reliable sources.

Be clear on the story the data is telling you

When it comes to making an infographic, the first important question to consider is “what story is the data telling?” It’s simple enough to list numbers on a spreadsheet. However, what tale do these figures tell you? Pick a few significant figures, get creative, and make sure it conveys the same story as the numbers.

Experiment with storyboards

In the film industry, a storyboard is created by taking a script and illustrating each scene. It gives the film’s creators a visual picture of the entire endeavor. It’s a tried-and-true strategy that you may use to make an infographic. You don’t need to be an artist to create an infographic; simply sketch out the different phases or elements of your infographic and arrange them as needed. You could write the steps on a sticky note and move them about on a whiteboard to get the optimal flow.

Decide how to present the data

With the information you now have, it’s time to decide which will be the best way to show off your data. If you have already put it together, revisit it. Check, is there another way you could present the information? Think every possibility through, before you finally decide on one. Perhaps show some team members a rudimentary outline and ask if they can make sense of it.

Confirm the elements of your infographic

This stage is about defining the various elements of your infographic. There are three major categories you need to include:

• The data itself and how it will be visualized
• The description of the data and any labels (never present data without labels)
• Guidance for the viewer (how you will lead their eyes from one point to the next)

Write the copy

Saying more with less, that’s key with an infographic. Use an experienced copywriter who will be able to get it absolutely right. The fewer words you use, the more succinct and appropriate they need to be. Eliminating meaningless fluff is a top priority.

Create the final design

Finally, it’s time for your designer to work their magic and put it all together. Use a professional for this, so you get a high-quality output.

Test and refine

Before you press go on your infographic, test it. Now you have the version you want to publish, getting good feedback is vital. Starting over from scratch at this point is never a good idea, which is why you want to test your entire infographic concept and outline during the process. In this last step, only concentrate on minor changes – for example, if you need to make things bigger or smaller, or change color here or there.

Publish

When it’s time to publish your infographic, you have several options to explore. Your digital infographic should be shared anywhere you can possibly think of that’s appropriate – across all your social media channels, on your website, inside white papers and eBooks, issued in conjunction with a press release, etc. There are also many infographic submission sites, which you may want to investigate too.

As for a printed version, think outside the box.

• If you have a public space, you can hang it there for people to see
• Have it sent to specific key leads or customers who might appreciate it, to hang up in their offices
• If you do events, you may want to print it on a stand-up banner and have it at all the events you go to
• You could even print out a smaller reference card for all your sales reps, as another way to get the infographic out there

Infographics certainly take quite a bit of effort to get right, but if you take your time and think it through, considering all the tips we’ve given you, then it will be worthwhile – you’ll end up with high-impact content asset.