Humans are visual, there is no getting around it. “A picture is worth a thousand words” takes on a new meaning in marketing because design is about capturing your audience and understanding how they process information. Images or graphics illustrate facts, emotions, stories, or provide instruction, which creates a lasting impression with your target audience.
In most marketing plans, small budgets are set aside for graphic and web designers, videographers, and photographers. When goals and strategies are created, visuals are generally an afterthought. In fact, many times creative professionals are asked to work for trade or free. creating a social stigma that design isn’t highly valued in marketing plans and strategy. However, these services play a crucial role and when done correctly, are the force behind a successful marketing plan.
Since we know the great value of good design, here are some stats to help you see the impact a creative budget will have on your marketing plan:
According to Management Information Systems Research Center, the human brain processes visual info 60,000 times faster than text.
In a survey of 2,684 people, 46.1 percent said the most important determinant of website credibility was the design look.
BuzzSumo found that adding a visual every 100 words or so makes your content twice as likely to be shared.
Facebook posts that include graphics get 2.3 times more engagement, according to BuzzSumo.
Tweets with images are 150 times more likely to be retweeted than those without.
Creating infographics have the potential to increase your site traffic 12 percent.
As information and advertisements flood our days, it is crucial to understand how we retain and process content. Visual information makes it easier to collaborate and generate new audiences, clients, and consumers that impact your business and help you reach goals.
When you have a professional create your marketing material for your brand, it will build professionalism and trust with your target audience. Ultimately, they will be more likely to remember your business and most importantly, become more active in your brand.
Therefore, including a healthy budget for creative professional services is essential. As those few stats indicate, content paired with visuals makes for a better experience, depicts your credibility as a professional company, and results in better engagement and more shares on social media platforms. As you go about creating your marketing plan and/or updating your current one, remember, design is the force behind every successful marketing plan.