The Visual Guide to Visual Marketing – How to Stay Competitive

As an old saying goes “A picture is worth a thousand words”, visual elements now appear in every piece of content we marketers create every day. With the explosion of information online nowadays, we hear our readers yelling “Make it more appealing, make it more visual, we’d rather see it than read it cause we don’t have time”.

So what is visual marketing? And how do we leverage it to grow our business more efficiently?

Our team at Visual Contenting has put together this visual guide with the hope that you can maximize your visual marketing strategy and make it to the next high level.

What Is Visual Marketing?
Why We Should Use Visual Marketing?
Visual Content Tactics that You Can Integrate into Your Content Marketing Mix
How to Create Visual Content for More Social Media Engagement
How to Maximize Your Visual Marketing Efforts
Tools to Create Visual Content
Where to Post Visual Content?
Brands that Are Successfully Using Visual Content Marketing

What Is Visual Marketing?

In short, visual marketing is the way we use visual aids including design elements, graphics, images and photos, etc to help convey our brand’s messages in the most memorable compelling way.

Here’s an interesting slideshow on this topic.

What is visual marketing? Why your brand needs amazing graphics, videos + photos to share. from Bright Spark Media

What is #VisualMarketing #infographics http://t.co/QsNGO7Dat2 @AngeliqueDuff @VContenting #contentmarketing pic.twitter.com/0rfPvQNuOl

— Visual Contenting (@VContenting) October 1, 2015

Why We Should Use Visual Marketing?

Why Our Brains Love Visual Content?

The reason why visual content is effective in our marketing campaigns is because our brains are hardwired to visual, we can process information received in visual formats faster and more efficiently than in text alone.

Visual content is effective because it’s the type of communication our brains crave. Visual content is effective because it’s the type of communication our brains crave Share on X
Time it takes for our brains to process visual cues is ¼ second. Time it takes for our brains to process visual cues is ¼ second Share on X
Average consumer attention span is 8 seconds. Average consumer attention span is 8 seconds Share on X
Visually engaging content is more attractive. Well-designed information piques interest before information is actually processed. Well-designed information piques interest before information is actually processed Share on X
Viewer attention span for black and white images is 2/3 second and for color images is 2+ seconds. Viewer attention span for black and white images is 2/3 second and for color images is 2+ seconds Share on X

The Power of Visual Content

90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual. 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual Share on X
Visuals are processed 60,000 times faster in the brain than text. Visuals are processed 60,000 times faster in the brain than text Share on X
40% of people will respond better to visual information than plain text. 40% of people will respond better to visual information than plain text Share on X
93% of all human communication is non-verbal. 93% of all human communication is non-verbal Share on X
67% of the audience was convinced by the verbal presentation that included visuals. 67% of the audience was convinced by the verbal presentation that included visuals Share on X
50% of an audience was convinced by a purely verbal presentation. 50% of an audience was convinced by a purely verbal presentation Share on X
People remember 80% of what they see and do, 20% of what they read and 10% of what they hear. People remember 80% of what they see and do, 20% of what they read and 10% of what they hear Share on X

10 Amazing Powers of Visual Content

Visual content also helps drive more traffic to our website, build brand identity, boost social media engagement, attract more inbound links, generate conversion and drive more sales and referrals.

40% of online users will favor and visit pages with visual information more than those only showcasing plain text. 40% of online users will favor and visit pages with visual information more than those with text Share on X
Brands who use infographics grow in traffic an average of 12% more than those who don’t. Brands who use infographics grow in traffic an average of 12% more than those who don’t Share on X
Clear and detailed visual content shows and not tell your message and brand identity preferred by up to 67% of consumers online over contextual product or brand information. Visual content is preferred by up to 67% of consumers online over contextual product info Share on X
Posts with visual content generated up to 180% more engagement compared to posts that are basically composed only by text-based content. Posts with visual content generated up to 180% more engagement compared to text-based content Share on X
Visual content has the power of generating up to three times more inbound links than content that feature only plain text. Visual content can generate up to three times more inbound links than text-based content Share on X
Good visual content attracts up to 67% of your targeted audiences and is much more effective in helping your audience understand what is it your brand is trying to convey. Good visual content attracts up to 67% of your targeted audiences Share on X
21% of Pinterest users made a purchasing decision based on visual content they have seen on the site. 21% of Pinterest users made a purchasing decision based on visual content they have seen on the site Share on X
Using video as visual content will generate even more favorable responses and up to 85% of those who have viewed it may most likely decide on making a purchase. Up to 85% of those who have viewed video content may most likely decide on making a purchase Share on X
By the year 2017, up to 69% of all web traffic generated online will be video content. By the year 2017, up to 69% of all web traffic generated online will be video content Share on X

Why Visual Content Is a MUST for Your Business Strategy

Why #VisualContent Is a MUST for Your Business Strategy #contentmarketing http://t.co/i8AcBIHXUZ @VContenting pic.twitter.com/eDYkZrSAUi

— Visual Contenting (@VContenting) October 1, 2015

The Power of Visual Storytelling in Content Marketing

5 Ways Infographics Can Strengthen Your Sales Funnel

5 ways infographics can strengthen your sales funnel, via @mrbabysparrow: http://t.co/CWYfc8vZCs

— LinkedIn SlideShare (@SlideShare) April 10, 2015

Visual Content Tactics that You Can Integrate into Your Content Marketing Mix

Why Should You Incorporate Video Marketing into Your Inbound Strategy?

Why Should You Incorporate Video Marketing into Your Inbound Strategy? [#VisualInbound] http://t.co/O1RocXR5tb pic.twitter.com/YuzPL6eD46

— Visual Contenting (@VContenting) August 4, 2015

5 Creative Ideas to Boost Your Online Presence

5 Creative #ideas to Boost Your #Online #Presence http://t.co/pPiePbW5AZ @VContenting #contentmarketing pic.twitter.com/2vuZFrT3sv

— Visual Contenting (@VContenting) October 1, 2015

10 Types of Awesome Visual Content Your Brand Should Be Creating Right Now

Eye-catching photographs

Show the ‘behind the scenes’ of your brand or to show off your product in action or just simply put a face to your brand. Show the ‘behind the scenes’ of your brand or to show off your product in action Share on X
93% of people say images are the #1 deciding factor when buying products. 93% of people say images are the #1 deciding factor when buying products Share on X

Inspiring quote cards

Quote cards are highly shareable over lots of social platforms.
You can use quotes that reflect your brand values.
Use your brand’s palette, type style and aesthetic to tailor it to you.
Quote cards are very easy and fast to create.

Strong Calls to Actions

70% of businesses are totally lacking any type of calls to action. 70% of businesses are totally lacking any type of calls to action Share on X
Use hierarchy, color and imagery to grab people’s attention.
Influence your page visitors to do something with CTAs such as ‘buy now’, ‘click here’, ‘follow us on’, etc.
Great for promoting sales, events, offers and any other exclusive content.

Branded images

Use imagery that reflects your brand’s unique selling point.
Using detailed and branded images can help you gain 67% more audience attention. Using detailed and branded images can help you gain 67% more audience attention Share on X
Capture your brand’s values and ‘essence’ via imagery, color, composition, etc.

Interesting data visualizations

Design your data to reflect your brand.
Data visualizations can communicate important facts and figures to audiences much more quickly.
40% of people respond to (and understand) visual information better than plain text. 40% of people respond to (and understand) visual information better than plain text Share on X
Data visualizations can be maps, charts, graphs, diagrams, etc.

Engaging videos

Mix up your range of content with videos.
Engaging videos give your brand a literal voice and sound.
Only 09% of US small businesses actively create video content. Only 09% of US small businesses actively create video content Share on X
64% of consumers are more inclined to buy products online after watching a video. 64% of consumers are more inclined to buy products online after watching a video Share on X

Tips, tricks and how-to’s

Help to construct a wise and intelligent tone for your brand.
This can be recipes, tutorials, life hacks or anything in between.
These content types are used to show off interesting ways to use your products.
Add more visuals to these content types to get attention encourage shares and make it all seem achievable.

Informative screenshots

Use screenshots to tease an article, or show off features of your site/program.
Use screenshots to proudly show off some positive customer reviews.
88% of people read reviews to determine a business’ quality. 88% of people read reviews to determine a business’ quality Share on X
Annotate your screenshots for even more clarity.

Thought-provoking questions

Ask your consumers questions to spark conversation and engagement.
Thought-provoking questions help break the fourth wall between businesses and consumers.
Keep your questions open: what motivates you? What’s your favorite thing about summer?
Presenting your question as an image will encourage sharing of your content.

Infographics

Infographics are liked and shared 3x more than any other piece of visual content. Infographics are liked and shared 3x more than any other piece of visual content Share on X
Businesses that use infographics report 12% higher profit than those who don’t. Businesses that use infographics report 12% higher profit than those who don’t Share on X
Infographics compress a lot of information into one medium.
Infographics make lots of information a lot easier to follow. Infographics make lots of information a lot easier to follow Share on X

3 Visual Content Ideas for Lead Nurturing

3 #visualcontent Ideas for #leadnurturing #VisualInbound http://t.co/Zdv7MfkQH7 @VContenting @Infographicb2b pic.twitter.com/cQW5HXtsMZ

— Visual Contenting (@VContenting) September 23, 2015

Visual Marketing: Top Tactics and Challenges

According to a survey of 204 marketers:

59% of respondents say professional photography is one of the visual asset types that perform best on desktops.
55% say it is one of the visual asset types that performs best on mobile.

#VisualMarketing: Top #tactics and #Challenges http://t.co/10NdNxJQz1 @MarketingProfs @VContenting pic.twitter.com/O8HuJ8beg8

— Visual Contenting (@VContenting) October 1, 2015

5 Visual Storytelling Tips to Fill the Top of Sales Funnel

5 #Visual #StorytellingTips to Fill the Top of #SalesFunnel http://t.co/9M6fYD1sGr #visualinbound #visualmarketing pic.twitter.com/vwTf3f6nXn

— Visual Contenting (@VContenting) May 13, 2015

How to Create Visual Marketing for the Entire Sales Funnel

How to Create #VisualMarketing for the Entire #sales #Funnel http://t.co/i8uE8eDTVQ @VContenting #visualcontent pic.twitter.com/mGcHvsZ5LP

— Visual Contenting (@VContenting) October 1, 2015

7 Proven Visual Content Marketing Tips to Drive Traffic to Your Website

7 Proven visual #ContentMarketing tips to drive traffic to your website http://t.co/a36fsGevHd pic.twitter.com/zacDT5ey3r

— The CMA (@the_cma) September 1, 2015

How to Create Visual Content for More Social Media Engagement

Marketers now have access to more creative ways to make their brands stand out on social media. Following are some ideas, tips and tools that you can also implement to make yours appear more visually on social channels.

Visual Ideas that Boost Your Social Engagement

#visual #ideas that Boost Your #Social #engagement http://t.co/TvUMugiUMt @VContenting #visualmarketing pic.twitter.com/iL1EID9GB9

— Visual Contenting (@VContenting) October 1, 2015

18 Ideas for Engaging Visual Content to Post on Social Media

18 Ideas for Engaging #VisualContent to Post on #socialmedia #slides #slideshare http://t.co/8VN28RaWb4 @VContenting pic.twitter.com/4uQN8x3dOx

— Visual Contenting (@VContenting) October 1, 2015

How to Maximize Your Visual Marketing Efforts

How to Know If Your Infographics Suck?

How to Know If Your Infographics Suck? [#ActionableTips] - VContenting #growthhacking #inboundmarketing... http://t.co/nS34bWWvEk

— Inbound Marketing (@inboundideas) August 13, 2015

How to Use Visual Content To Boost Your Blog Traffic

5 ways to use visuals in your content strategy.

Tell a story.
Curate an original list.
Show comparisons.
Explain a concept.
Demonstrate a process.

Steps to Turn Fact-driven White Papers into Compelling Infographics

Steps to Turn White Papers into Compelling #infographics http://t.co/7aQbpIaWPd @VContenting #contentmarketing pic.twitter.com/kEA12RMGG1

— Visual Contenting (@VContenting) September 23, 2015

5 Visual Ways to Maximize Your Content Exposure

5 Visual Ways to Maximize Your #Content Exposure [#VisualInbound] http://t.co/EYLtfi1KRt pic.twitter.com/fW18A18E9H

— Jessie DSouza (@VibrantAceVA) September 18, 2015

Boost Your Visual Marketing Results: 15 Epic Tips to Choose Images That Sell

Boost #VisualMarketing Results: 15 Epic Tips To Choose #images That Sell https://t.co/5hC6IisoWT @canva @VContenting pic.twitter.com/3Ksq7GKUDb

— Visual Contenting (@VContenting) October 1, 2015

Visual Marketing Is Here – 5 Ways You Can Use It to Sell Your Ideas

#VisualMarketing Is Here – 5 Ways You Can Use It To Sell Your Ideas http://t.co/TFJcsME5G1 @TechCrunch @VContenting pic.twitter.com/poCnQRoxoK

— Visual Contenting (@VContenting) October 1, 2015

How to Create Visual Marketing Success with Infographics

How to Create Visual Marketing Success with Infographics #infographic http://t.co/fNjoTqZOaP #graphicdesign #business pic.twitter.com/tkK10KTKCT

— Montse Bru (@MontseBruMedia) June 6, 2014

Tools to Create Visual Content

Top 9 Free Online Tools to Create Infographics

Top 9 Free #Online #tools to Create #infographics #list http://t.co/l77NmdmPAe @VContenting #contentmarketing pic.twitter.com/WLxFxZvwPP

— Visual Contenting (@VContenting) October 1, 2015

Top 10 Free Online Tools to Create Your Infographics

Here are 10 free #online tools to help create your #infographics: http://t.co/jhySlR1tce

— frayintermedia (@frayintermedia) December 3, 2014

Top 10 Free Online Tools to Create Your Infographics from Catherine Pham

Top 7 Online Tools to Create Visual Content that Engages

A Slideshow: The Top 7 Online Tools to Create Visual Content that Engages http://t.co/7DJvebvV46 #contentmarketing pic.twitter.com/KhGmQq1clB

— GLOW Social Media (@GLOWsocialmedia) April 6, 2015

Top 7 Online Tools to Create Visual Content that Engages from Catherine Pham

10 Visual Content Creation Tools You Can’t Live without

10 Visual Content Creation Tools You Can't Live without #marketing http://t.co/hcZ7JCzdLG pic.twitter.com/fN2a7z3Uen

— Michael Cudahy (@MDCudahy) August 21, 2015

113 Visual Marketing Tools and Apps

113 #VisualMarketing #tools and #apps http://t.co/62ot2waT2x @VContenting @Wishpond #visualcontent pic.twitter.com/gFipvsr3fY

— Visual Contenting (@VContenting) October 1, 2015

Where to Post Visual Content?

Create great visual content is one thing, how you distribute this content to maximize its exposure and amplify your brand messages is another story. Besides your own social media channels, blog and website, following are some places that you can head out to get your message heard.

Top 40 Free Infographics Submission Sites

Top 40 Free Infographics Submission Sites from Catherine Pham

Brands that Are Successfully Using Visual Content Marketing

Examples of Brands that Have Successfully Use Visual Content Marketing

10 Successful Visual Content Marketing Stories from Catherine Pham

Team Visual Contenting

Every brand has its own story that is waiting to be told. Storytelling technique combined with creative design is what you need to effectively tell this story.

It’s what we do at Visual Contenting.

We specialize ourselves in helping people and brands visually tell their stories to the right target audience, with the right messages and at the right time.

It’s time to TELL YOUR STORIES WITH PICTURES!!!

visualcontenting.com/