How To Develop Digital Signage Content Without Breaking The Bank

Often companies adding digital signage -particularly smaller companies with limited media experience- don't give adequate consideration to feeding the insatiable appetite for content that's part of using digital signage to communicate with the public.

Many are surprised to learn just how much content may be needed on a monthly basis to keep their communications fresh and appealing, as well as the effort required to maintain consistency with their company's larger branding goals.

In fact, some may actually be scared off from adding digital signage not because of the capital expense of the technology but because of anxiety over adding personnel to create the content to deliver their desired messaging.

Whatever the case, however, there are strategies that can be used to develop well-conceived communications without hiring a full-time graphic artist or designer. Here are a few ideas about how to accomplish just that.

The first thing to do is to plan ahead. Both time and money can be saved when a solid marketing or promotional strategy is developed with clear goals and objectives. In other words, before there is ever the need for content, understand precisely what is trying to be achieved with the communications. That way, any creative person needed to create content has a clear direction to guide his work.

Next, be willing to use and maximize all available resources. One great foundation is investing in digital signage software to manage content effectively and efficiently. Another is to take an inventory of existing content resources, such as logos, photography, video, animations, and other media resources that the company has already paid for and can excerpted, repurposed, or at the very least, guide the creative efforts of a designer tasked with developing creative for digital signage display. And don't forget that there are royalty-free resources, such as photos, video and clipart libraries online that can be an economical way to supplement the effort.

Then think outside your box. In other words, think about getting estimates from freelance designers for work they can do in the future as budgets allow. Consider the power of hiring a part-time freelancer to create digital signage content templates that can be used over and over again. By shopping around for estimates, you will get a feel for the average costs of custom content creation and templates. Remember it is possible that a large percent -80 percent or more- may be able to be handled by populating such templates.

Don't forget when getting estimates from freelance designers to ask about the cost of entering into a monthly content agreement or contract. You might be surprised at the discount you can negotiate with a designer in exchange for offering a steady amount of work on continuing basis.

Finally, try tapping into creative co-workers, friends and family members around you. As one designer suggested, "Who knows? The best creative solution may be sitting right behind you."

The bottom line is companies that can benefit from digital signage shouldn't be intimidated by the cost of adding a full time designer to create the content that will be necessary. With a bit of resourcefulness there are a variety of ways to hold costs in check and still develop effective digital signage communications.

David Little is a charter member of the Digital Screenmedia Association with 20 years of experience helping professionals use technology to more effectively communicate their messages. Visit http://www.keywesttechnology.com and expand your marketing horizons.


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Develop A Healthy Eating Habit The Easy Way

There are all kinds of habits that people have. Some of them are good, some not-so good. For example, most would agree that smoking is not a good habit. Perhaps the trickiest habit of all is not eating healthy. See, while somebody can quit smoking, nobody can quit eating.

The very nature of our lives requires us to eat, and it's virtually impossible to completely avoid foods we shouldn't be eating. This can make it very difficult to not only start the healthy eating habit, but to stick to it. At the same time, you should be careful that you don't get too obsessed with any one particular diet; life is too short to not enjoy the occasional treat. that being said, it really is possible to to develop better eating habits when you are prepared.

The more planning ahead you can do, the better. Have you ever gone to the grocery store swearing you're going to eat healthy, and then you buy all kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables? Then you add fish, chicken breasts, dried beans and other healthy fare, too. You feel great as you load up your grocery cart. But...then...by the end of the week you find that you are throwing a lot of that food away. So, what happened?

Chances are you didn't plan very well. If you are used to eating ready made frozen dinners, or going to your local fast food joint to eat, then you are accustomed to the convenience those foods bring. While they won't give you very much nutrition, they certainly don't require a lot of planning. So, once you get all of the healthy food home, you either don't know what to do with it, or you don't have the time.

Your solution to developing the healthy eating habit is to plan ahead. Let's say you're not very good at cooking because you haven't done it very much, then start with some very simple recipes that incorporate healthy ingredients. If you are already good at cooking, but usually make unhealthy meals, then you can start by replacing one or two ingredients in your favorite dishes.

The next thing you can do is plan ahead your menu for the week. This will take a bit more time up front, but will save you time in the long run. Another way to save time when cooking is to get the whole family involved. Don't be surprised if there is complaining at first. After all, everybody is going through changes, and there will be a learning curve. Stick with it, though, and the healthy eating habit will soon become second nature.

Above all, be realistic about what you will and won't do. It takes time to get rid of unhealthy habits, but you will have a much better chance of success if you make small changes that everybody can stick to. Every little change you can make towards healthier eating habits counts. It will take some getting used to, no question, but it will be worth it.

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