Getting your message out there is made much easier with digital signs, but if your content isn’t well done then the effort won’t be as effective. Televisions capture people’s attention but if your graphics and message aren’t interesting, that attention is quickly lost. With these quick tips below, you can make your digital signage more engaging and effective at communicating your message.
( 1 ) Identify your target audience
At the core of any good marketing strategy is a well-defined target audience. Knowing who it is that you’re trying to reach will enable you to craft your message and visual components to attract their attention and keep them interested. Things like bigger text size with simpler visuals for older audiences will help them be able to easily read your message, while younger audiences can typically read smaller fonts and will be more engaged with more movement on your digital sign. Understanding your audience will also allow you to craft a better message that can relate to them more effectively.
( 2 ) Make sure your visuals are meaningful
The difference between a good digital sign and a bad digital sign is often found in the quality of the visuals. There are many great sources of free, high-quality images online. Places like UNSPLASH and PEXELS offer free photos and videos that can be used to enhance your digital signage. Use a tool like PHOTOSCISSORS to remove unwanted backgrounds from images, to then be used in a graphic. Aside from the quality of your visuals, the intent behind them is just as important.
( 3 ) Know your objective for the sign
While this tip seems intuitive, losing sight of the ultimate objective can hinder the effectiveness of your sign, and push attention away from your main purpose. Before making your content, take some time to clearly identify what you want your target audience to think and do after interacting with your sign. Then, after you’ve made your content, review it and ask yourself, “Does this clearly convey my message or promote my desired outcome?”
( 4 ) Sometimes less is more
When it comes to reading, the vast majority of people will lose interest rather quickly and will scan over your message or skip over it entirely. Using fewer words with more intent keeps the focus of your message right out front, and reduces the chance that someone will skim over your text or ignore it completely. Try to keep your message concise, and focus the importance of your message in the header or title. Keep additional information to 1-2 sentences beneath the title line.
( 5 ) Movement attracts more attention
Transitions between signs on your playlist will create some motion on your digital sign, but that just isn’t always enough. A simple way to overcome this is to add motion to your text through animated entrances onto your screen. An even better way to incorporate movement into your digital signs is through video. Video is the ultimate media to attract attention to your digital sign. Having consistent motion will lock observers onto your screen and ensure that your message is seen.