Best In Show

Just getting started with Digital Signage? Having the freedom to play multiple pieces of content lets you provide more information to your audience but can also increase the likelihood of Visual Overload or missing important messaging. Here are some tips to maximize the effectiveness of your digital signage without going overboard.

1. Determine Your Message

Before you create a show or start to look for screen content, determine your message. Are you focusing on a certain product or service this month? Are you trying to reach a specific type of customer? Once you’ve answered these questions, you can build your show to promote specific services and schedule it to target specific audiences, helping you meet your goals.

2. Create Playlists of Similar Media Files

For the most captivating digital signage show, dedicate zones to play a specific type of media. That way,your audience will gain familiarity with the zones and will become comfortable watching specific zones. Building playlists is the easiest way to keep similar files together in groups. For example create a playlist with similar files such as a video message from your CEO and a TV commercial. With files grouped together as a playlist you’ll be able to keep them together regardless of what zone you drop them into or what show you’ve created. Also, because video and highly animated files can overwhelm some audiences, it’s a good idea to create a playlist of low-impact static JPEG images which could still include advertisements and announcements.

3. Choose a Layout That Fits Your Needs

Choosing how to layout your show is important. Create a simple 2-zone layout that allows you to display a scrolling ticker of community events, stock tickers or news feeds as well as a larger zone to focus on your services and promotions. Choose a 3 zone layout to display even more information! By determining your needs prior to creating the show, you’re more likely to have engaging and informative show that will provide consistent messaging, potential cross selling and the ability to educate your customers; keeping them coming back in the future!

4. Watch Your Aspect Ratios

Aspect Ratio refers to the shape of your screen or content, based on the measurements of the width and height, respectively. LCD screens typically have a 16:9 aspect ratio when displayed in landscape mode. Screens can be rotated 90 degrees for placement, style, or functional purposes. When this occurs, the numbers in the aspect ratio are reversed and the orientation becomes portrait.

5. Working with 2-Zone Layouts

As a rule of thumb, avoid letting your zones compete for attention with an overload of movement. For instance, use a larger zone for important promotional information and community events within the ticker zone or play new feeds, stock or a custom text ticker. A two zone layout with a ticker at either the top or the bottom accomplishes this goal.

6. Switch to Full-Screen for Emphasis

Sometimes you really need to get the full attention of your audience, so switch the layouts of your shows for emphasis. Create a new show with a full screen layout. When changing layouts for emphasis it’s important to include your current promotions, timely announcements, upcoming events and anything else that you want to occupy the whole screen. Schedule this kind of show for peak traffic times or switch to it at various points through the day or week.

7. Working with 3 or More Zone Layouts

The more zones you have the smaller each zone is, making it harder for viewers to focus. Avoid putting too much information into the smaller zones as they are often harder to follow. Shift the focus to larger zones that are playing marketing messages, services offered or community events.