Today I present 12 types of visuals you can use in a blog post. More noteworthy, the same research shows that blog posts with graphs and charts receive more trackbacks – 258% more than blog posts with other types of images. Someone who includes statistics in an article on the importance of content marketing is likely to use CMI’s data-driven visuals. Creating an image with the influencer and his or her quote, you create a memorable image. I started using infographics on my blog and the company blog. Takeaway tip: The crux of an infographic is not the design, but the research itself. Takeaway tip: GIFs can be a way to stand out from your content competition. You can upload that meme on social media to promote your blog post. How can you use SlideShare presentations in your articles? Do you use visuals in your blog posts?
Editor’s note: If your content is text heavy or if you just need to take a fresh look at your blog, you’ll want to read the 2019 edition of this article on visual content strategy (first published in 2017).
How many times have you pondered over which images to use in a paragraph, blog post, web page, etc.?
I struggle with choosing a visual for my content. Yet it’s important, as frequently cited research shows that images attract more people to the content and help people retain ideas from the content they consume longer.
Knowing that images are crucial to the success of the post, I focus on the matter even more. Thankfully, in my career I had to learn how to use Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and even Corel Draw. A long time ago, I was a designer for a small advertising agency. Those days helped me understand the difference between good and bad design, which has been helpful in creating a blog.
According to recent research, 41% of bloggers use two to three images in their articles, while nearly 22% use five or more. That means bloggers view visuals as important for their posts.
Today I present 12 types of visuals you can use in a blog post. You do not have to use all of them. See what inspires you given your content marketing strategy, audience, and formats.
1. Data-driven visuals
To be a well-known leader in your industry, create data-driven content. Designed as charts or graphs, this content can make it easier for your audience to comprehend your message than with text only.
QuickSprout research reveals that articles with data-driven visuals rank fourth in shareable formats. More noteworthy, the same research shows that blog posts with graphs and charts receive more trackbacks – 258% more than blog posts with other types of images.
For instance, Content Marketing Institute’s annual benchmark research on the industry includes a lot of data-based visuals. Someone who includes statistics in an article on the importance of content marketing is likely to use CMI’s data-driven visuals. Take for example SEOPressor’s article for beginning B2C content marketers.
Takeaway tip: People love sharing new data and well-researched information that looks awesome in a visual.
2. Quotes
Influencer marketing is a great strategy for extending your content marketing reach in a valuable way. Creating an image with the influencer and his or her quote, you create a memorable image.
In an article on Bannersnack, we included lessons that relate to online marketing learned from David Ogilvy, the father of modern advertising. To make the content more memorable, powerful, and easier to read and share, we created a visual for each of his quotes.
You can incorporate quote visuals from living influencers, particularly within your industry, as that increases the chance the influencer responds to your content (and shares with his or her audiences).
Takeaway tip: Visualizing quotes in blog posts can help you make statements backed by names that are well known to your audience.
3. Infographics
I did not know how powerful infographics were until I researched them. I read case studies about companies that used them and got great results. I started using infographics on my blog and the company blog. The infographics continue to contribute to the site’s traffic, backlinks, and social media shares.
An infographic that is aesthetically pleasing with relevant data – which also happens to be user-friendly – will undoubtedly increase awareness of your brand. It also offers potential for several platforms beyond your blog. Infographics can be shared on Pinterest and uploaded to SlideShare. If the infographic has multiple components, crop parts to create snackable visual content for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
You do not need to write extensive content for blog posts with infographics. Just write a simple paragraph presenting the information, use keywords that rank, and voilà! – your article is ready. That is how Neil Patel publishes his infographics on QuickSprout.
Takeaway tip: The crux of an infographic is not the design, but the research itself. You need to invest time and energy to get the data and create a useful wireframe to behave like a visual story.
4. Gifographics
Gifographics are like infographics on steroids. Think about them as animated infographics. GIF stands for Graphics Interchange Format, originally a file type for both animated and static images that work well on the web.
You can use GIFs on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. On Facebook and Twitter you can upload them natively, but on Instagram you have to use giphy.com. Open the Giphy app from your mobile phone. Search for a GIF. Press the share button, and select the Instagram button. From here, you can post the GIF on your Feed or Story.
Buffer conducted a study that concluded that posts with featured animated graphics get more social media shares than the ones with no animated visuals. (See…
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