How to Create Digital Signage

Digital signage is a revolutionary breakthrough in real-time marketing that helps businesses communicate key information to the right audience, at the right time, at the right place. Whether at the airport or driving down the highway, digital signage provides up-to-date messages with the rapid ability to update content. Now that there are companies that specialize in digital signage, creating your own has become a simplified process with the right idea, designer and content manager.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Computer program (such as Flash, PowerPoint or Keynote)
• Content player
• Management server
• Display screen

Simple Steps to Creating Digital Signage

1. Communicate a clear, "fleshed out" message. What do consumers need to know? Are you holding a promotion or offering a new service? The first step to creating digital signage is determining what your message needs to be and to whom it needs to be delivered. One benefit of digital signs is the ability to target a specific audience at a specific time and place.

2. In addition to developing an overall message, you also need to assign the message to the different screen zones. With digital signs, the screen can be divided into separate areas, called screen zones, with independent content running in each zone. You should customize your message to utilize each of the different screen zones.

3. Begin designing your content in a program such as Flash, PowerPoint or Keynote. This approach is fine if you have creative skills. If you were not born with a "creative gene", hire a designer to create your content, instead of doing it yourself. Like print design, digital signage needs to be eye-catching and memorable. Yet, because of the ability to add dynamic, full-motion graphics, digital signage requires more finesse and skills than traditional print design. You can consult local freelance graphic designers who specialize in Flash animation or check with digital sign companies for available designers.

4. Make sure to review the content thoroughly before publishing it. This is an important step to ensuring that the digital signage is accurate before it is seen by your audience.

5. Publish your content to the content manager or network for the digital sign. The decision to use a public or private content manager depends on your use for the digital sign. Most digital sign companies have a secure network where you can store and publish your content as well as monitor performance. If you are creating digital signage for a digital billboard or a similar display, the content will be uploaded by the company that owns the display and published to the electronic display rotation. If you are creating digital signage for a small business or retail store, you will use an in-house content manager or online content manager who is dedicated to updating their own messages.

6. Update your digital signage frequently. That's the beauty of digital signage -- rapid, easy updates. Some online companies make it so simple to update your content that you won't even need to consult a designer to create new content. Content is the lifeblood to any digital signage advertising plan so make sure to keep it updated.

Tips & Warnings

• Digital signs are most effective when they have clear, short textual messages.
• Use images and symbols that are relevant to your message but don't divert attention from your core message.
• Update content often to keep your messages fresh.
• Target specific audiences at specific times and places to achieve maximum results.
• Pick a color scheme that reflects your brand and that meets your stylistic goals.
• Unless you are skilled in using programs such as Flash or PowerPoint, leave the design to a professional to make sure that your digital signage content looks professional and crisp.

References

• Digital Signage Quick Reference Guide

Resources

• Digital Signage Today
• Simple Digital Sign Design Guidelines
• Creating Digital Signs in PowerPoint