How to Create a Killer Fact Sheet? (Steps and Template Included)

Learn how to create an impressive fact sheet and get access to Bit’s smart pre-made fact sheet template! Read on…

Compressing details about your business or about your product or service into a single document can be a tedious task. But why would you want to create this document in the first place?

For starters, giving all the essential information about your business or product in a compressed document makes it easy and quick for others to understand what you do and why should they care.

Fact sheets play a huge role in PR, sales, onboarding of new employees, pitching to investors, providing a company overview to partners and clients, etc. It’s an easy way to make sure all of these entities are able to understand the key parts of your business quickly and effectively.

What is a Fact Sheet? (Definition)

A fact sheet, also known as a factsheet and fact file is a one-sheet document, usually, a single page long, which comprises information and data about a company, startup, organization, or the product or service they provide.

Animated illustration of a company fact sheet

A fact sheet lists all the key information, facts, and figures around a particular topic, in a visual manner, with the help of files, charts, images, etc.

Fact sheets often contain company overview, product information, statistics, technical data, FAQs, lists, “how-to” pages, educational material, and so on.

The one thing you should take special care of while creating fact sheets is to make them clear, crisp, and concise. They are usually displayed in a visual format to emphasize key information.

Why create a fact sheet?

Here are some ways fact sheets are used by companies:

Product or service fact sheets can be made for the sales and marketing teams to distribute to clients, partners, or prospects.
A startup fact sheet can be made as an introduction for investors.
Fact sheets can be made for internal reporting. For example, the finance department can create fact sheets for the company’s Q3 earnings and distribute them internally or to shareholders.
Organization fact sheets for human resources.
Fact sheets as marketing material and sales enablement content.
PR and media relationship fact sheets can provide journalists with all the information they need to write about you.

Fact sheets are necessary for all-size companies and have a multitude of use-cases.

However, before creating a fact sheet, you should always be crystal clear about the purpose of creating it and its intended audience. Only then you will be able to create an informative fact sheet that your readers will pay attention to and enjoy.

Things to know before writing a Fact Sheet

There are a few things one must keep in mind before creating a fact sheet. These include:

A fact sheet should preferably be a single page long.
The information mentioned in the fact sheet should be brief and concise.
Since visual information is easy to grasp, a fact sheet should be visually appealing comprising tables, charts, graphs, and bullet points.
Fact sheets should be easily readable.
Add a clear call to action at the end (a phone number, your email address, your social media links, etc).

Importance of a Fact Sheet

Now that you have some idea about a fact sheet, it’s time to teach you the importance and the role it plays in the success of a business:

1. Saves time

Facts sheets are usually one page long. Therefore, they help save a lot of time for the reader by providing them all key information (without missing out on vital information) on a single page.

Since fact sheets are made to be visual first, a reader can quickly skim through a lot of information and facts quickly and easily.

For example, If you are creating a fact sheet for investors, they would greatly appreciate your effort in summarizing all the key information on a single page and helping them save their most important asset, i.e. time.

2. Easy to read

As we’ve mentioned before, fact sheets comprise lots of white spaces, bullet points, and bold headings.

On top of that, they are usually very visual in nature with key information presented using tables, graphs, and charts that are easy to read and grasp.

3. Cheap to produce

Animated illustration of money representing how cheap creating a fact sheet is! And lastly, since fact sheets are only a page long, they are don’t take much of your resources. They act as cost-effective PR material or sales enablement tools.

How to Create a Killer Fact Sheet?

Step 1: Define Your Purpose and Audience

Before you jump into designing a fancy fact sheet, take a step back and ask yourself two key questions: Why am I creating this fact sheet? Who am I creating it for?

Knowing your purpose is like having a clear destination on a road trip. Are you trying to:

Inform potential customers about your new product or service?
Educate the public about an important issue?
Provide a quick reference for employees on company policies?

Once you understand your purpose, you can tailor the content to effectively achieve that goal.

Identifying your audience is like picking the right passengers for your road trip. Are you targeting:

Tech-savvy millennials who prefer infographics and charts?
Busy professionals who need information delivered in bullet points?
Senior citizens who might appreciate larger fonts and clear explanations?

Understanding your audience’s needs and preferences will help you choose the right language, design, and level of detail for your fact sheet.

Here’s an example: Imagine you’re creating a fact sheet about healthy eating for a group of college students. Your purpose is to provide them with easy-to-understand tips. Knowing your audience, you’d likely use a more casual tone, include pictures of delicious healthy meals, and focus on quick and budget-friendly recipes.

Step 2: Gather and Organize Information

Now that you’ve identified your target audience and the message you want to convey (Step 1), it’s time to gather the facts! This is the foundation of your fact sheet, so make sure the information you collect is accurate, credible, and relevant to your audience’s needs.

Here’s how to tackle this step effectively:

Brainstorm: Jot down everything you think might be important to include. This could be statistics, key features of a product or service, company milestones, or answers to frequently asked questions.
Research and verify: Once you have a list, it’s time to dig deeper. Look for reliable sources like research reports, company websites, and government publications. Double-check any facts that seem surprising or too good to be true.
Prioritize: Not all information is created equal. Think about what’s most important for your audience to know and prioritize those details.
Organize: Now that you’ve got your facts, it’s time to organize them in a logical way. Think about how the information flows and group related details together. This will make it easier to write your fact sheet later and ensure a smooth reading experience for your audience.

Step 3: Design the Layout

Now that you have a clear purpose and well-organized information, it’s time to design a layout that makes your fact sheet visually appealing and easy to digest. Here are some key things to keep in mind:

One-pager is your goal: Aim for a single page. Fact sheets are meant to be quick references, not novels.
Prioritize white space: Don’t cram information together. Leave ample breathing room between sections and text blocks. This creates a clean and uncluttered look that improves readability.
Headings and subheadings are your friends: Use clear and concise headings to break down the information into sections. Subheadings can further guide the reader within each section.
Bullet points and numbered lists are lifesavers: They make complex information easier to grasp and allow for quick scanning.
Visuals are your secret weapon: Include relevant charts, graphs, or images to break up text and present data in a more engaging way. Keep them simple and ensure they complement your content.

Here are some practical tips:

Start with a template (Find one at the end of the blog post!): Many online tools and design software offer free fact sheet templates. These can provide a good starting point for your layout.
Choose a readable font: Stay away from fancy fonts that are difficult to read. Opt for clean and professional fonts like Arial or Calibri.
Maintain consistent formatting: Use the same font size, color, and spacing throughout the document. This creates a sense of order and professionalism.
Align your elements: Make sure your text blocks, visuals, and headings are aligned properly. This will give your fact sheet a polished look.
Color matters (but don’t overdo it): Choose a color scheme that aligns with your brand or the topic of the fact sheet. However, avoid using too many colors that can overwhelm the reader.

Remember, the goal is to create a fact sheet that is visually balanced, easy to navigate, and allows the key information to shine through.

Step 4: Create Compelling Content

We’ve identified your target audience and the information they crave. Now it’s time to craft the content itself! Here’s how to make your fact sheet not just informative, but truly compelling:

Keep it concise and clear: People are busy. Aim for a single page, using bullet points, short sentences, and active voice.
Focus on benefits, not features: Don’t just list features; explain how they solve your audience’s problems or meet their needs.
Use strong verbs and active voice: Replace weak verbs like “is” or “has been” with active verbs that grab attention.
Highlight key points: Use bolding, headings, or icons to make important information stand out.
Incorporate data and statistics: Numbers add credibility and make your points impactful.
Write in a conversational tone: Avoid overly technical jargon. Imagine you’re explaining this to a friend.
Proofread meticulously: Typos and grammatical errors scream unprofessionalism. Double-check your work!

Step 5: Add Branding Elements

So you’ve crafted a clear and informative fact sheet. Now it’s time to give it some personality! This step is like putting on your outfit for a presentation – it makes a strong first impression and ensures your fact sheet reflects your brand identity. Here’s how to add those finishing touches:

Logo and Colors: This is a no-brainer. Place your logo prominently at the top or bottom of the fact sheet. Use your brand’s color palette throughout the design. This creates a sense of familiarity and reinforces who the information is coming from.
Fonts: Consistency is key. Use the same fonts you typically use in your marketing materials. This creates a cohesive brand experience across all your platforms.
Images and Icons: Facts are important, but visuals make them more engaging. Include relevant images or icons to break up the text and visually represent key points. Opt for high-quality visuals that complement your brand aesthetic.
Call to Action: Don’t forget to tell your readers what you want them to do next! Include a clear call to action (CTA) at the bottom of your fact sheet. This could be directing them to your website, encouraging them to contact you, or prompting them to download another resource.

Step 6: Review and Edit

You’ve poured your heart into crafting the content, and your fact sheet is almost ready to take center stage. But before you hit distribute, take a deep breath! This step is crucial – a thorough review and edit ensure your fact sheet shines and delivers its message effectively.

Here’s how to make the most of this step:

Fresh Eyes: Step away from your work for a while. Come back later with a clear head to review the content. This helps you catch typos, grammatical errors, or awkward phrasing you might have missed earlier.
Read Aloud: This simple trick works wonders! Reading your fact sheet aloud forces you to listen to the flow and rhythm of your writing. It helps identify clunky sentences or unclear information that needs clarification.
Fact Check: Double-check all statistics, figures, and dates for accuracy. Ensure they align with your information sources. Credibility is key!
Target Audience Check: Put yourself in your reader’s shoes. Is the language clear and easy to understand for them? Are the key points presented in a way that resonates with their interests and needs?
Visual Appeal: Take a critical look at the layout and design. Is it visually balanced with a clear hierarchy? Do the fonts, colors, and images enhance the content or create clutter?

Pro Tip: Enlist a friend or colleague to review your fact sheet. Their objective viewpoint can unearth areas that might need improvement.

Step 7: Finalize and Distribute

You’ve meticulously crafted your fact sheet, filling it with informative and engaging content. Now, it’s time to unleash it on the world! This final step involves giving your fact sheet a final polish, making it easily accessible, and getting it into the hands of your target audience.

First things first, finalize your masterpiece. Proofread it meticulously, checking for any typos, grammatical errors, or inconsistencies in formatting. Consider having someone else take a fresh look for a final review. Additionally, ensure accessibility for everyone. Use clear fonts with good contrast, avoid relying solely on color to convey information, and consider including alt text for any images you might have used. Finally, save your fact sheet in multiple formats. Depending on your distribution strategy, you might need it as a PDF, Word document, or even a high-resolution image for printing.

Now, let’s get to distributing your fact sheet! Choose the channels that best reach your target audience. Will you be sharing it through email campaigns, social media posts, including it in presentations, or printing physical copies for events? Consider where your audience spends their time and choose the channels accordingly.

Don’t forget a clear call to action. Tell your readers what you want them to do next. Do you want them to contact you, visit your website, or learn more about a specific product? A concise and clear call to action at the end of your fact sheet will guide them towards the desired outcome.

If you’re distributing your fact sheet digitally, consider using analytics tools to track how many people are viewing it and where they’re coming from. This valuable information can be used to refine your approach for future iterations of your fact sheet.

Step 8: Collect Feedback and Update

You’ve invested a lot of effort into crafting your fact sheet. But before calling it finished, there’s one crucial step: gathering feedback and using it to refine your work. This final step ensures your fact sheet is clear, informative, and achieves its intended purpose. Here’s how to collect valuable feedback:

While they review, ask them if the fact sheet effectively achieves its purpose. Does it answer their questions and leave them with a clear understanding of the topic?

Once you have feedback, take some time to analyze it. Look for common themes and areas where multiple people found things confusing or unclear. Here’s where revisions come in:

Update content: Address any factual errors or missing information identified in the feedback. Rewrite confusing sections to improve clarity.
Refine design: Make adjustments to the layout, visuals, or font size based on suggestions. Is the layout easy to navigate? Are the visuals clear and engaging? Is the font size readable, especially for printed versions?

A fact sheet is a living document. As new information becomes available or your target audience evolves, you can revisit and update it to keep it relevant and impactful. This will ensure your fact sheet stays sharp and continues to effectively communicate your message.

How to use bit.ai for writing your fact sheet?

If you itching to create one for yourself, worry no more! Let’s show you how you can create a visually appealing fact sheet quickly and easily.

There are two major components that make or break a fact sheet: content and design.

We have already discussed how fact sheets need to compress all the vital information, data, statistics, and facts into a single page, and at the same time, leave no important knowledge behind.

However, the content of your fact sheet will only take you so far. You have to present that vital information in a professional, readable, and visually stunning manner.

Thus, both content and design play a huge role in the creation of an effective fact sheet. However, writing great content in a concise manner and making it visually appealing can take some time, effort, and a lot of time emailing your team members.

What if, your team members could work simultaneously in a collaborative workspace to create an awesome-looking fact sheet?

This is where Bit comes in.

Bit.ai - Document and Collaboration Platform

Bit is a new-age cloud-based document collaboration tool that helps teams create, manage, and track workplace documents including fact sheets.

Bit helps you make sure your fact sheets are more than just plain boring text and images. Apart from allowing multiple users to collaborate on documents, Bit also allows users to embed any sort of rich media into documents like YouTube videos, Google Docs, One Drive Excel Spreadsheets, GIFs, Tweets, interactive charts, etc.

Basically, anything on the internet with a link (i.e. www.example.com, https://example.com) can be shared and Bit will automatically turn it into live visual content that lives on your workplace documents!

Just copy-paste the URL of your content on a blank line of the document editor and hit enter. Bit, then generates a live preview of your digital content within your document. Imagine how rich and interactive your fact sheets can become.

The best part is that Bit documents allow simultaneous collaboration between team members.

This means that team members like content creators, editors, designers, marketers, etc. can work together to produce fact sheets (or any other workplace document) by brainstorming and pitching in their ideas!

The resulting documents are created faster, they look impressive, they’re creative, visually stunning, and best of all error-free!

Another great thing about Bit is that you can actually track your workplace documents when you share them with your audience. You can understand how effective your content actually is by observing how much time was spent on your documents, how often they were viewed, etc.

Bonus: To kickstart your efforts to create an awesome-looking fact sheet, we have designed a fact sheet template just for you! You can use it as it is or can make changes according to your brand and vision!

Here’s the perfect template to create an awesome-looking Fact Sheet.

Recommended power links and files you can add to your Bit Template includes:

YouTube, Vimeo
Weblinks
Google Sheets, OneDrive Excel
Presentations (Google Drive, OneDrive)
Upload Files

Use this template as it is or customize it according to your company’s needs. Make it as dynamic and visually appealing as possible!

Few more templates you might be interested in:

🎥Watch this video to learn more👇

Summary

A fact sheet is an important yet underrated piece of document.

It summarizes critical information about a company, startup, product, or service in a single-page document.
It is useful as it acts as a marketing material, sales enablement tool, and internal reporting document.
It is easy to read and grasp and also cheap to produce and distribute.
The design of your fact sheet is as important as its content.
You should make use of pre-made digital fact sheet templates to create a visually appealing fact sheet document quickly.

So what are you waiting for? Create amazing-looking fact sheets and other workplace documents and start impressing clients, partners, investors, prospects, and your team members with Bit today!

Further reads :

How to Create an Impressive Fact Sheet? (Steps and Template Included)

What is a Fact Sheet? (Definition)

Why create a fact sheet?

Things to know before writing a Fact Sheet