Your Business Needs Visual Content!

Adapted from Rachel Gillett’s FastCompany online article, “Why We’re More Likely To Remember Content With Images And Video”

Most communications experts agree that our brains are far more engaged when listening to a story than a list of facts —it’s easier for us to remember stories because our brains make little distinction between an experience we are reading about and one that is actually happening. And while storytelling is definitely important in promoting your business’ message, there is another element that can drive your point home even more—images. That’s because visuals add a component to storytelling that text cannot: speed. According to researched complied by 3M, the corporation behind Post-it Notes, visuals are processed 60,000 times faster than text, which means you can paint a picture for your audience much faster with an actual picture.

Here are three visual tools you can use to connect with your audience even faster:

1. Presentations and Retention
Since 65% of people are visual learners according to the Social Science Research Network, one of the best ways to drive the message home is through visual content. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Labor OSHA Office of Training and Education shares that retention of information three days after a meeting or other event is six times greater when information is presented by visual and oral means than when the information is presented by the spoken word alone. Audio Visual Bend believes in using the highest quality products and equipment when designing an audio visual solution that works for you and your presentation. Click to just a few of the products we use and recommend based on our experience in design and installation.

2. Videos
Videos can be harnessed in all manner of ways, from convincing buyers that your product is worth the investment to learning a new skill. Animoto shares a few ways to build brand awareness using video marketing.

• Product Use – Use photos and video clips to show how people are already using your product or service. Include text to reinforce key messages and explain features of your product.
• Customer Testimonials – Feature customers talking about your business. Animoto limits video clips to 10 seconds or less, so focus on including meaningful soundbites. If you want to extend a testimonial, place two 10-second clips in a row as you’re creating the video.
• Video Newsletter – Make a monthly or quarterly newsletter that everyone will look forward to! Make a list of the information that is most important to include in the newsletter, and communicate those pieces of news through a mixture of text, photos, and video clips. Be sure to include a call-to-action button so your viewers will know where to find more information.

With the Tricaster Series offered through Audio Visual Bend, you can mix cameras, video, computer sources, and graphics… and now, create your own custom visuals and titles. Add virtual sets, recording, streaming, and more. With the Tricaster series of products, you can easily create your own AV equipment system and production videos in HD and for the web with the easy to use interface and all-in-one video studio.

3. Infographics
As you’ve probably noticed if you are reading this article, infographics are an effective way to visualize information and data. Presenting data in a visual way has been proven effective for a long time. According to the New Yorker, Abraham Lincoln often referred to a map that “bore the marks of much service.” More than just a map of the southern states, this three-foot parchment also reflected the number of slaves who lived in each county and was a constant source of reflection for the President.

Social media is displaying a significant uptick in the amount of people searching for information graphics—infographics. What do you think? Has our featured Infographic effectively conveyed the importance of visual content for your business?

Hoping you remember my picture,