Let’s do a hypothetical experiment. Imagine that you were given two identical texts to read, with information that is not the easiest to understand. However, one of them, in addition to words, will also contain pictures. Now answer the question: which of the two texts will seem more interesting to you, and in which case will you remember more information from the text? I bet your answer is a text with illustrations.
Indeed, it is quite obvious that pictures attract the attention of a modern user more than solid text. Statistics say that text accompanied by illustrations is perceived 323% better than without visual accompaniment. It would seem that the answer is simple — to stuff various funny pictures into your article or social media post, and views will catch the gaze of Heaven. But it’s not that simple, the user is not so stupid and many studies prove that the reader ignores meaningless pictures that are used to fill the space of a web page. Therefore, it is extremely important to filter images before putting them in your text. In this article, we will discover the rules of illustrating the text for maximum benefit.
Basic rules of choosing illustrations
When looking for a perfect illustration, you first pay attention to the specific type of your text and its purpose. However, there is a set of basic rules for pictures that you should focus on regardless of the specific textual content that this picture will accompany.
Relevance
The most basic rule is that the illustration must be relevant to the content of the text. It should reinforce the message and help convey the intended meaning. The main purpose of this picture is not to fill the space between the text blocks but to be a companion to its meaning.
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Visibility
The illustration should be clear and easy to understand. It should not be too complicated or abstract, as this can confuse the reader and distract from the message. The picture should create associative links with the main idea of your text in the reader’s mind.
Quality
High quality, good resolution, and clarity — must-have for any illustration. The average user’s brain will pay attention to pictures in the first place — they will create the first impression of the text. Low-quality images can create a feeling of an unprofessional and unattractive approach.
Consistency
The visual accompaniment of the text should complement the overall impression, and not draw all the attention to themselves. The illustration should match the overall style and tone of the text. It should match the color scheme and design elements of the text to create a coherent impression.
Attractiveness
Remember that illustrations are needed not only to visually accompany the text, but also to manipulate the reader’s attention. The picture should be visually appealing and engaging. It should grab the reader’s attention and encourage them to read the text. And if your text content has an advertising context, then the correctly chosen picture will enable the reader to commit the target action.
Diversity
When choosing illustrations, it is important to consider diversity and inclusiveness. Pictures should reflect different cultures, genders, and backgrounds so that all readers feel represented and included. Following this modern internet trend will help you increase audience loyalty.
Types of marketing texts and their illustrations
Marketing texts can take on various forms, each with its own purpose and intended audience. The type of illustration that should accompany a marketing text depends on the type of text and the message it is trying to convey. Here are some examples.
Product description
The product description’s main goal is to provide information about a product and its features. The illustrations that accompany these texts should be clear and detailed, showing the product from different angles and highlighting its key features.
Advertisement
Advertisements are meant to persuade the audience to take a specific action, such as purchasing a product or signing up for a service. The illustrations that accompany these texts should be eye-catching and attention-grabbing, using bold colors and creative designs to capture the audience’s attention.
Social media post
Posts on social media are made for engaging the audience and promoting brand awareness. The illustrations that accompany these texts should be visually appealing and shareable, using humor or emotion to create a connection with the followers.
Infographics
Infographics are meant to convey complex information in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand format. The illustrations that accompany these texts should be simple and clear, using icons and charts to represent data and information. Do not hesitate to ask for help of modern software for the infographic-making process.
Email newsletter
Email newsletters usually inform and engage subscribers about the latest news and updates from a brand. The illustrations that accompany these texts should be relevant and informative, using images and graphics to support the content of the newsletter.
Final thoughts
Text with pictures is already better for perception than just a canvas of letters and symbols. However, you need to choose visual companions for your text content wisely. If you follow our recommendations, readers will be able to use your blog information more efficiently thanks to visual associative links with suitable illustrations. Such a conscious approach will certainly boost your KPIs, at least the number of views on individual articles and the depth of viewing text content.
