[Guest Post] Why Visual Graphics Will Help Your Content Be Seen‬
Have you ever been at a sporting event and seen someone you know sitting in a section nearby? It’s too loud for them to hear their phone, so what do you do? You holler their name, “Charlie!! Hey Charlie!! Over here!!” By now you’re standing and waving your arms like crazy until they see you.
What did you just do? Other than possibly embarrass the people you’re with, you created visual content. You took your action item of getting Charlie’s attention and took it over the top. You “dressed it up” with a louder voice, standing, and waving your arms all in an effort to get someone’s attention. You were in plain sight, yet couldn’t be seen until you took further action.
That is exactly what visual graphics do for your content and online business presence. They dress it up. Grab people’s attention. Lead them over to you. This is important because it draws people in to learn more about your business, see how they will benefit from your services and ultimately grow your revenue.
Here’s three ways you benefit from adding visual aids:
Create interest
The first thing high impact graphics do to your online content is get people interested in reading your blog post or web page. Tied with an intriguing headline, they draw people in. A graphic and headline have 3 seconds to make an impression before people move on to the next thing. Society has become easily distracted, so your headline needs to hit your target audience’s pain point, or answer a question they have been wanting to know. Speak simply and clearly and equally support that statement with an image. Strong blocks of color draw the eye in. White space can also work the same way if the post or page is on a very busy/colorful site.
Support the story
Secondly, high impact graphics support the story you are telling in your online content. Used throughout a blog post, website page, or in social media, graphics not only provide visual interest, but they break up the space and guide people’s eyes through the paragraphs. It’s noticeably harder to read on a screen, because they are very bright. This can make the eyes tired. The use of graphics gives people a resting point as they read through an article. It also gives a pause so what they’ve just read can sink in. The use of graphics reinforces your message and creates interest to continue reading.
Animate your content
Third, compelling graphics can include visual plays on words, funny images that bring metaphors or jokes to life, images of people, and mixed media such as two-dimensional lines and shapes overlaid on a photo. Visuals that attract attention have elements of what viewers don’t normally see on a day-to-day basis when going about their lives. These graphics are standing up, shouting and waving to get people’s attention.
Truth be told, as collegiate as we may like to appear with the literature we read, human tendency will always be to look at an image first. Use that to your advantage and create impactful, meaningful and relevant graphics to support your online content and brand and elevate your words to the next level.
Kristin Brogaard is the owner and creative director of NEUdesign Company.
NEUdesign Company is a design firm that specializes in your full visual brand experience. This encompasses print, web, logo design, and aesthetic reviews. Examples of design reviews include: hospitality, sports, breweries, and brand refreshes. NEUdesign Co. combines the aesthetics of art with the principles of design and function to create the best possible solution for you. From small businesses to large international corporations, effective, professional design is a common need. Kristin has owned NDC for eleven years and worked with clients around the country as well as the globe.
Connect with her at neudesignco.com and follow her design reviews on Instagram @neudesign, on Twitter @NEUdesignCo, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NEUdesignCO/, or Pinterest www.pinterest.com/NEUdesignCO/. #experiencethedesign #designreview
