Breakdown Language Barriers with Visual Communication

Here’s an interesting fact – the part of our brain that processes visual information, also known as the visual cortex, is much bigger than the Broca, the part of the brain that reads words. It’s a no-brainer that visual communication is vital to get your message across and ensure that it is processed well and retained. Using visual elements such as recorded videos, images, and graphs can add the necessary punch to your communication, improve performance and even tear down the language barrier. 

Visual communication is about putting together elements to create a more meaningful message for your audience. You can do that with tools such as icons, images, videos, and data visualizations. These visual elements can be integrated into many essential documents ranging from help articles, product onboarding guides, customer support communications etc

Why is visual communication important? 

Text-driven communication often leaves some gaps that can be bridged with the help of visual communication. You can scale your communication’s effectiveness with visual content such as videos and infographics, leading to more information retention.

More effective communication: If you reach out to an audience across different languages, you will need more than text-based communication to do the job. Incorporating videos, images, and graphs in your communication can help you reach a larger group of people. Visual communication also leads to better responses from viewers leading to better absorption and feedback. 

Better information retention: A picture speaks a thousand words, and the proper visual selection can highlight your communication’s key message. This way, viewers can relate to your messaging better and find ways to relate to it. Hence, for businesses visual communication leads to higher retention of information and happier customers.   

Best examples of visual communication

Visual communication covers a wide gamut of visual and graphic tools that can be easily added to your communication plan. Let’s look at some of the most common methods to leverage visual communication:

1. Annotated Screenshots

Annotated screenshots come in handy while handling tech support issues. All you have to do is ask the customer to take a screenshot of their computer (or the web browser) and annotate the specific point they wish to clarify. If you want to save time answering the same question repeatedly, an annotated screenshot can be of immense help. With annotating, you can highlight specific details and points in your screenshot and draw the viewer’s attention to that part of the image.

2. Screen recordings and videos

Videos go one step ahead of images and screenshots by scaling up the interaction of visual communication. With the help of screen recording, users can capture their interaction with the screen. Software such as Screenjar help to capture and record videos. Some tools even go a step further and allow editing of the recorded videos with built-in editors. Screen recording is an effective visual communication tool that benefits both software providers and customers. Apart from helping customers, these videos can help you expand your team’s knowledge base. 

3. Data visualizations & Infographics

When data is represented visually, it takes the form of data visualization. A simple chart or map can turn dry and banal information into a visually compelling presentation. Internal communication, such as mailers to client presentations, data visualizations, and infographics, is the cornerstone of any form of visual communication. When the information is detailed and lengthy, pages of data can be compressed into a simple graph facilitating easy reading and better retention. Apart from breaking language barriers, data visualization can also help your businesses find insights and identify trends.

4. Social media posts

Many consumers consume social media, and businesses must pay attention to its importance and reach. Social media platforms are ideal for disseminating and sharing information with consumers. With the help of a link or an image posted on social media pages, you can drive traffic to your business’ website. With the inherent capability to make information viral, networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can be leveraged to reach consumers across languages and nationalities. 

Uses of visual communication

Using the tools listed above, you can create a visual communication plan that finds many uses for businesses. Here’s how you can use visual communication tools effectively:

Streamline onboarding:

Welcome new hires with the help of screencasts and videos that help them learn about the organization’s policies, programs & the tools they use. 

Build a library of ideas:

If you chance upon an interesting idea or an example of what to do or not to do, create a reference by taking a screenshot. Much like a mood board, you can build a library of ideas for your ready reference. 

Record interactions:

By replacing tedious note-taking with screen recordings, you save time and keep track of all details. Moreover, the recording can be further shared with anyone who needs access to that information. 

Expedite feedback:

Replace text-heavy emails with visual elements such as infographics and videos to prompt quicker feedback from customers and team members. Visual communication can also expedite the decision-making and approval process at every level.

The universal code of communication

Simplify complex concepts and distill dense data to highlight key messaging in your communication. A screen recording or set of neat graphics can be powerful visual aids to present your business case to clients or report progress to team members. Visual tools can bring down language barriers if your team or clientele is spread across different countries and continents. Visual messaging is truly the next frontier of global communication, bringing people together in more ways than one.