Infographics

Why Infographics Are Link Magnets

Humans process visuals 60,000 times faster than text. An infographic makes complex topics, survey results, or data trends immediately understandable and easy to digest. This high

signal-to-noise

Three real examples

Consider using a tool like VideoAsk by Typeform to create an interactive 'video infographic', where users can click through questions to reveal the data points one by one.

The step-by-step playbook

1. 1

   Find a Data-Driven Story

   Look for topics in your niche with interesting data, common questions, or complex processes. Use your own product data, public datasets (like from government sites or Statista), or run a small survey using Tally.so.

2. 2

   Create a Narrative

   Good infographics tell a story. Outline a clear beginning (the problem), middle (the data), and end (the conclusion or solution). Don't just present numbers; guide the reader to a key insight.

3. 3

   Write the Copy

   Write concise text for each point in your narrative. Keep it minimal--let the visuals do the talking. Aim for short headlines, labels, and a brief introduction/conclusion. Use Jasper.ai to help you tighten up the copy.

4. 4

   Design the Infographic

   Use a tool like Canva, which has thousands of templates. Choose a clear color scheme (2-3 main colors) and legible fonts. Use icons and charts to represent data visually and break up the text.

5. 5

   Add Branding and a Call-to-Action

   Include your logo and website URL prominently at the bottom. Add a clear call-to-action (CTA), like 'Learn more at yoursite.com' or 'Get the full report here'. This is critical for driving traffic and attribution.

6. 6

   Publish as a Blog Post

   Write a blog post to host your infographic. Provide context, expand on the data points, and--most importantly--include an easy-to-copy embed code for other sites to use. This reduces the friction for others to share it.

7. 7

   Find Relevant Websites for Outreach

   Use search operators like '[your topic] + blog' or '[your topic] + 'useful resources''. Build a list of sites that have shared similar content. Use a tool like Apollo.io to find contact information for editors or content managers.

8. 8

   Reach Out and Offer the Asset

   Email the websites you identified. Keep it short, mention a specific article of theirs you liked, and offer your infographic as a valuable, free visual addition for their readers. Personalization is key.

Copy-Paste Outreach Template

Use this email template to pitch your infographic to bloggers and journalists who have written about your topic. The key is to be helpful, not demanding.

Subject: Visual for your post on {topic}

Hi {FirstName},

I was looking for info on {topic} and found your article, "{their article title}". Really great overview.

I actually just created an infographic that visualizes [key data point or concept from your infographic]. Seeing as you write about this, I thought you might find it interesting.

You can see it here: {link to your blog post with the infographic}

Would be happy for you to share it with your audience if you think it's a good fit.

Cheers,
{YourName}

Key Questions Before You Start

• What data do we have that nobody else does?
• What common question in our industry can be answered visually?
• Is there a complex process we can simplify into a visual guide?
• Who is the target audience for this infographic and where do they hang out online?
• What is the single key takeaway we want people to remember?

The first question is the most important. Unique data is the foundation of a truly valuable infographic that others can't easily replicate.

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Mistakes that kill this play

• ×Making it too long or cluttered. A good infographic is easy to scan in under a minute. If it's too dense, it will be ignored.
• ×Using bad or unsourced data. Always cite your sources directly on the infographic itself. This builds trust and credibility.
• ×Poor design. Using too many colors, hard-to-read fonts, or low-quality icons will make your work look amateurish and untrustworthy.
• ×Forgetting to brand it. Always include your logo and website URL at the bottom so people know who made it.
• ×Just publishing and praying for shares. The 'build it and they will come' approach doesn't work. You must do manual, personalized outreach to get backlinks and shares.
• ×Not including an embed code. Make it trivially easy for people to post your asset on their own site. Include a pre-formatted HTML snippet they can copy and paste.

Your First 7 Days

• Day 1: Finalize your topic and find at least 3 credible data sources for your narrative.
• Day 2: Write the narrative outline and all the copy for the infographic using an AI tool like Jasper.ai to keep it concise.
• Day 3: Create the first version of your design in Canva. Focus on a clear layout and accurate data visualization.
• Day 4: Refine the design, add your branding (logo and URL), and get feedback from a colleague who can spot typos or confusing sections.
• Day 5: Write the blog post that will host the infographic and generate an HTML embed code for easy sharing.
• Day 6: Publish the post. Build a list of 20 relevant websites and find contact emails for their content managers using Apollo.io.
• Day 7: Send the first 10 personalized outreach emails using your template. Track opens and replies.

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