Digital Signage Done Right

Free Digital Signage Software Isn’t Free

Free Digital Signage Software Isn't Free

EPISODE 90 | Sean Matthews, president & CEO of Visix, Inc.

Lots of people advertise free digital signage software on the web. But is it free? Do these apps come with hidden costs, limited features or lackluster support? Most importantly, will the free software you’re considering adapt to your needs or force you to adapt to it?

In this episode, Sean Matthews walks us through what to watch out for when considering a free CMS to manage your digital signs, what types of environments should and shouldn’t use them, and how to frame your software search to match your strategy.

- Hear the difference between free software, freeware and open source

- Walk through the pros and cons of free signage software

- Find out what “free” might mean (trial, demo, pilot, hosting, etc.)

- Consider how services, updates and security are affected

- Learn the questions to ask before downloading a free signage app

 

See the full TRANSCRIPT

Learn more about this topic in our Masterclass Guide 1: Digital Signage Systems Overview

What Does Digital Signage Cost?

What Does Digital Signage Cost?

EPISODE 89 | Guest: Trey Hicks, chief sales officer, Visix

What does digital signage cost? It seems like a simple question, but it’s not. Digital signage isn’t like buying a cell phone at a kiosk. It’s more like kitting out a smart home with phones for your whole family along with smart speakers and TVs, a cell and internet service package, as well as all the entertainment feeds you’ll want access to.

Digital signage isn’t a product. It’s a suite of products that includes digital signage software, hardware, services, subscriptions and more. We discuss six basic factors that can affect the cost of digital signage, so you can better plan your budget and shop with confidence.

- Understand perpetual licenses versus software subscriptions

- Hear the benefits of cloud and on-premise servers

- Consider whether to buy media players or use your own PCs

- Discover how endpoints, users and data options can affect pricing

- Explore services you may not have factored into your budget

 

See the FULL TRANSCRIPT

Grab our handy infographic with 10 Questions to Ask When Shopping for Digital Signage

Using Digital Signage in K12 Schools

Using Digital Signage in K12 Schools

EPISODE 88 | Guest: Ilyse Johnson, region sales manager – Mid-South for Visix

Schools have a unique challenge of communicating across three very different audiences – students, teachers and staff, and parents and visitors. Finding easy ways to engage and inform all of these folks can be tricky, but digital signs in K12 schools can unify and streamline both messaging and workflows.

Ilyse Johnson walks us through different methods to attract and motivate everyone in a school or school district, what schools have found to work best and some of the most popular things to show on screens.

- Learn how to unify school messaging while still targeting different groups

- Understand how digital signs get more buy-in than printed or audio announcements

- Explore popular content for school screens and how students can get involved

- Hear how automated data, content feeds and approval processes ease workloads

- Find out how schools are using menu boards, interactivity and wayfinding for higher engagement

 

See the FULL TRANSCIPT

See how one school district is using digital signage in our case study with video: Hall County School District Soars with Digital Signage

 

Overcommunicate at Your Own Peril

Overcommunicate at Your Own Peril

EPISODE 87 | Guest: Andrew Brown, co-founder of the Academy of Business Communications

Email, chat, WhatsApp, Zoom, Teams, town halls, meetings, intranets, digital signage – it can all feel overwhelming. As the number of messages we receive every day grows, as well as the number of technologies and channels we have to master, it’s more important than ever that organizational communications be deliberate, well planned and focused on outcomes. Companies that overcommunicate, though well intentioned, risk demotivating or alienating their employees.

 Andrew Brown from the Academy of Business Communications takes us through some of the most common traps that companies fall into, and explains that overcommunicating is about much more than just volume.

 - Understand why people feel you’re overcommunicating (it’s not just volume)

- Learn how trust and authenticity can cut the number of communications needed

- Hear what executives, supervisors and employees need to do better

- Discover how crucial listening is – both one-on-one and in groups

- Get tips on how to make your communications more impactful

 

See the FULL TRANSCRIPT

Get more advice and free tools on the Academy of Business Communications website

6 Collaboration Skills & Why They’re More Important than Ever

6 Collaboration Skills & Why They’re More Important than Ever

EPISODE 86 | Guest: Ellyce Kelly, professional services consultant for Visix

Collaboration has always been a buzzword in the workplace, but it’s come to the forefront lately with more people working remotely because it’s an essential tool to streamline and motivate processes and people. And it’s not a top-down initiative anymore – employees are begging for better collaboration skills, tool and technologies to help them do their jobs and balance their work/life habits.

In this episode, we talk with Ellyce Kelly about which collaboration skills can make the biggest difference to your teams, practical tips to encourage collaboration and how digital signage can help.

• Learn what collaboration is and why it matters to people and profits
• Understand the benefits of good collaboration and the dangers of ignoring it
• Hear real-world stats about how collaboration is affecting workforce dynamics
• Get practical tips to bolster good collaboration in your organization
• Discover how digital signage managers can apply and support collaboration

Get the FULL TRANSCIPT

Download these tips in our handy infographic: 7 Tips for More Effective Collaboration

Digital Signs for Hospitals

Digital Signs for Hospitals

EPISODE 85 | Guest: Steve Lainer, region sales manager – Northeast for Visix

Healthcare facilities need to communicate everything from entertainment for waiting rooms to critical care notices at nurses’ stations. Digital signs for hospitals have become the leading solution to engage and inform everyone on site, and to broadcast the most current information as things change quickly.

In this episode, Steve Lainer walks us through how hospitals are using digital signs for critical communications with visitors, staff and patients. He’ll also explain how screens are reducing the burden on staff while simultaneously improving the visitor and patient experience.

- Learn how digital signs contribute to hospital safety, wellness and workflows

- Discover how wayfinding, CAP alerts and room signs can extend the impact of digital signs

- Hear how donor boards, menu boards and queuing info can better engage hospital visitors

- Understand how digital signage can help alleviate healthcare staff burnout

- Explore the cost and time savings of digital signs versus outdated posters and plaques

Get the full TRANSCRIPT

Learn more in our white paper: Build Community and Empower Staff with Digital Signage for Healthcare

Purpose-Driven Content

Purpose-Driven Content

EPISODE 84 | Guest: Maliha Aqeel, independent communications consultant, founder & CEO of the Ideas Collective

Word of mouth has gone digital and in the age of the empowered consumer, it’s vital for brands to offer purpose-driven content. This means everything must tie back into the stated purpose and values of the organization apart from profit statements. But make sure you mean what you say and be prepared to show proof that you do what you promise to do.

Communications consultant Maliha Aqeel walks us through the Four As of purpose-driven content: how Authenticity, Accountability and Action create consumer Advocates that promote your brand and help you differentiate yourself from competitors.

- Explore how to align the messaging of your organization with your purpose

- Get practical examples of how to apply the Four As in communications

- Hear how consumer experience and consumer empowerment are driving change

- Understand how to use Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle for decision making

- Learn the importance of social listening, research and validating using data

 

Get the full TRANSCRIPT

Discover more content tips in our Masterclass Guide 3: Digital Signage Content

 

W.A.T.A! An Energizing Approach to Communication Projects

W.A.T.A! An Energizing Approach to Communication Projects

EPISODE 83 | Guest: Roxy Tomacder, senior internal communications specialist

W.A.T.A! is an easy-to-remember mindset and roadmap that will help you approach all of your communication projects with more energy and more confidence. Who is the message for? Does it Align with your overall goals? Are you building Trust with your audience? And are you bringing Artistry to the project?

Roxy Tomacder, writer, speaker and senior internal communications specialist walks us through the tactics and applications of W.A.T.A! for higher employee engagement.

- Understand how to go beyond demographics to better know your audience

- Explore how to better align the goals of both sender and receiver

- Learn how to build trust with your audience

- Discover the importance of artistry in omnichannel communications

- Hear real-world applications for W.A.T.A!

See the full transcript HERE

Get more tips in our Masterclass Guide 2: Digital Signage Communications Planning Guide

Cloud Digital Signage vs. On Premise

Cloud Digital Signage vs. On Premise

EPISODE 82 | Guest: Sean Matthews, president & CEO of Visix, Inc.

If you’re shopping for a content management system, one of the first things you’ll have to ask yourself is whether you want cloud digital signage or an on-premise solution. The answer will depend on more factors than you may have considered. How many people need access and where are they located? How much data will you be pulling in and from where? Is it a budget issue?

In this episode, we walk you through the pros and cons of cloud digital signage vs. an on-premise server to give you a head start on evaluating your options.

• Understand the difference between cloud and on-premise solutions
• Discover the advantages and disadvantages of each
• Learn which solution is best for which types of organizations
• Explore how cloud affect feature sets and desktop apps
• Hear how digital signage vendors are adapting to a hosted world

See the full transcript HERE

Learn more in our Masterclass Guide: Digital Signage Systems Overview Guide

Using Color Theory & Psychology in Digital Signage Design

Using Color Theory & Psychology in Digital Signage Design

EPISODE 81 | Guest: Debbie DeWitt, marketing communications manager for Visix, Inc.

Digital signage is all about attention and impact, and color is one of the most powerful and flexible tools in your design arsenal. But you have to choose hues that are both appropriate and engaging for the target audience. Knowing how different groups perceive and react to different colors is an important part of crafting quality designs, and can either boost or torpedo your messages.

In this episode, we’ll talk about color theory and psychology, step through some of the most common color associations, and give you practical tips and links that can help you design better content.

- Learn the difference between color theory and color psychology

- Explore common color associations

- Understand how cultural differences can affect color perception

- Tips for making color count in digital signage designs

- Get links to color palettes, generators and more articles

See the FULL TRANSCRIPT

Get more screen design advice in our Masterclass Guide 4: Digital Signage Design

 

Why Visix Software Training Is Essential to Success

Why Visix Software Training Is Essential to Success

EPISODE 80 | Guest: Jill Perardi, director of professional services, Visix, Inc.

Digital signage software is like any other business app – you have to learn how to use it before you can excel at it. All too often, people by a digital signage system and then just import PowerPoints. If that’s you, you’re missing out on a lot of features that can make your workload easier and your screens more appealing.

Jill Perardi walks us through the benefits of Visix software training and how it can impact your day-to-day operations and audience engagement.

- Learn why neglecting training can be a waste of money

- Explore how training can help boost digital signage adoption

- Understand the different training options tools from Visix

- Discover how knowledge sharing can boost productivity

- Hear how to sign up and the best way to get started

See the full transcript HERE

Get more information about this topic on our training page here.

Where to Put Digital Signs

Where to Put Digital Signs

EPISODE 79 | Derek DeWitt, communications specialist for Visix

Even the best message designs can’t engage viewers if your screens are inaccessible or inconvenient. A lot of folks start with a blank spot on the wall then design their digital signage system around that. But as in all things, you need a strategy. Start with a content plan, consider your audience’s needs and preferences, do a site survey, then map out where to put digital signs for the most impact.

In this podcast, we look at both technical and content considerations that can affect screen placement, and give you practical tips to decide the best places to put digital signs in your facility.

- Explore how to map content to locations before installing digital signs

- Get basic screen placement recommendations for interactive and non-interactive screens

- Understand how height, glare, audio and ADA regulations can affect screen placement

- Hear content recommendations for different locations, audiences and industries

- Discover how to extend your messaging reach with room signs, personal devices and websites

See the full transcript HERE

Learn more in our Masterclass Guide: Digital Signage Systems Overview Guide 

Why Integration Partners Matter

Why Integration Partners Matter

EPISODE 78 | Guest: Trey Hicks, chief sales officer for Visix, Inc.

You need a digital signage system. So now what? You can research software and hardware vendors online, but who takes care of installing the screens, networking and cabling, and getting all of your systems to work together seamlessly? That’s where audiovisual integration partners come in.

In this episode, we discuss the value of working with an AV integrator to help you plan, install, spin up and maintain your digital signage system and, most of all, how they can save you a lot of time and headaches.

- Understand how the process works and where integration partners fit in
- Learn how integrators assess projects to create scalable, repeatable solutions
- Explore physical installation, training and support services
- Discover how experts can integrate disparate business systems to work together 
- Hear how integration partners help you after the installation is complete

See the full transcript HERE

Get more information about Visix integration partners on our Partners webpage.

Building a Content Strategy (for the New Year)

Building a Content Strategy (for the New Year)

EPISODE 77 | Guest: Debbie DeWitt, marketing communications manager for Visix, Inc.

Crafting a content strategy for your digital signage system can help finetune your goals, streamline your processes and save you time in the long run. More importantly, it can ensure you’re delivering messages and campaigns that will attract attention and inspire interaction.

In this episode, we walk you through nine easy steps to build a content strategy that’s focused and inclusive. Whether your plan covers one month, one quarter or a whole year, getting a gameplan together will benefit both your signage team and your audience.

- Understand why you need a content strategy

- Hear nine practical steps to create a formal plan

- Discover why audience demographics can be misleading

- Learn how to find out if you’re measuring the right things

- Get tips on crowdsourcing tasks, calendars, policies and goals

 

See the full transcript HERE

Get more tips in our Masterclass Guide 2: Digital Signage Communications Planning Guide

Get Into the Content Operations Mindset

Get Into the Content Operations Mindset

EPISODE 76 | Guest: Ray Walsh, communications consultant & author of Localizing Employee Communications

Your company wants to promote its social responsibility initiative. You’ll need text and graphics to roll out a print PDF, PowerPoint deck, messaging on your digital signage system, as well as posts on your intranet, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And each of these platforms require different lengths of text and unique image file formats. Now imagine you need all of this in several languages.

The number of communication channels continues to grow and diversify, which puts a huge burden on content creation teams. Creating every message from scratch is impractical, and even repurposing content can be a burden when source files are hard to find or hard to edit.

In this episode, we talk with internal communications expert Ray Walsh. He gives us practical advice on working within a content operations mindset – the processes, people, and technologies needed for strategically planning, creating, managing, and analyzing all content types for all channels across an enterprise.

- Understand why handcrafting content is untenable in the long term

- Hear how multichannel planning can save a lot of work

- Explore tagging and tools that can make your job easier

- Discover why collaboration is key to operationalizing content

- Get links to expert sources for content operations advice

See the full transcript HERE

Get more communications advice from Ray’s website and blog. Check out Ray’s book Localizing Employee Communications at Amazon or direct from XML Press.

 

The Best Event Signs Are Digital

The Best Event Signs Are Digital

EPISODE 75 | Ellyce Kelly, professional services consultant for Visix

The number one thing shown on digital signs outside of retail settings is events. But showing events doesn’t just mean listing event and meeting schedules. You can use your digital signs to show countdowns and promotions before an event, stream video and tweets during an event, and follow up with your audience afterwards and share those results on screens.

In this episode, Ellyce Kelly walks us through some content ideas you may not have thought of for your events, best practices for event signs and real-world scenarios that work.

- Get content ideas for before, during and after events

- Learn about countdowns and calls to action

- Explore how social media, video and photos can boost participation

- Discover how touchscreens and room signs fit into the events mix

- Understand how scheduling software can feed your screens

See the full transcript HERE

Get more event message ideas in our Masterclass Guide 3: Digital Signage Content

 

How Digital Signage Fits into Unified Communications

How Digital Signage Fits into Unified Communications

EPISODE 74 | Sean Matthews, president & CEO of Visix, Inc.

Technology is approaching a more seamless experience for both users and communicators. The term unified communications (UC) can mean different things to different people, depending on whether they approach it from a technology or engagement perspective. Digital signage is a bridge between those two viewpoints. 

New technologies and messaging techniques are emerging that will transform the way people interact with information and one another. By looking at what we use and how we got to where we are today, we can get a glimpse of the shape of things to come.

- Understand what unified communications means in different contexts 
- Learn how unified communications differs from multichannel and omnichannel approaches
- Explore how past technologies point the way towards the future
- Discover how digital signage is a key element in emerging UC ecosystems
- Hear how companies like Visix stay relevant to their clients in a constantly shifting market

See the transcript HERE

Learn more in our Masterclass Guide: Digital Signage Systems Overview Guide

Combatting Workplace Rumors with Good Communications

Combatting Workplace Rumors with Good Communications

EPISODE 73 | Guest: Andrew Brown, co-founder of the Academy of Business Communications

Water cooler talk has moved online, so the number, spread and speed of workplace rumors is growing every day. Ignoring rumors or putting out bad messaging to combat them can do more damage than the original rumor itself. Organizations have to understand the reasons why employees might create or spread rumors, how their communications and culture might be contributing to the rumor mill, and how to take a proactive approach to combat them. 

Andrew Brown walks us through the conditions that create fertile ground for rumors, the very human and social reasons behind them, and some real-world stories and advice for how organizations should and should not try to manage rumors in the workplace. 

- Understand three levels where rumors take hold

- Learn about the three conditions that allow rumors to rise and spread

- Hear four common but ineffective approaches that organizations often take

- Discover the traps that organizations often fall into when addressing rumors

- Get three tips for things an organization can do to combat rumors

- Explore how the hybrid office, technology and different generations play into it

See the full transcript HERE

Get more advice and free tools on the Academy of Business Communications website

EX, CX, VX & Why Experience Matters

EX, CX, VX & Why Experience Matters

EPISODE 72 | Guest: Debbie DeWitt, marketing communications manager, Visix, Inc.

The experience is everything. Whether it be the visitor experience, customer experience or employee experience, focusing on people, their needs and how they interact with your company and culture can make or break your brand.

In this episode, we’ll give you an overview and history of each of the EX, CX and VX disciplines, and talk about how a good experience can lead to higher productivity, improve employee retention, raise revenues and create brand advocates. We also distinguish between employee experience and employee engagement, and give you some tips for how to wrap all of this into your digital signage strategy.

- Understand the difference between EX, CX and VX

- Hear the history of how each of these mindsets developed

- Learn about the evolution from employee engagement to employee experience

- Discover why experience is so important for a brand’s success

- Get tips for how to wrap experience into your communications and content strategies

See the full transcript HERE

Get more tips in our Masterclass Guide 2: Digital Signage Communications Planning Guide

Design Tips for Interactive Screens

Design Tips for Interactive Screens

EPISODE 71 | Guest: Melissa Sartin, creative content artist for Visix

Interactivity is now the norm for screens in our daily lives. Making your digital signage interactive, either using touchscreen or voice interaction, can greatly improve the user experience, but not if what’s on screen is hard to read or hard to navigate.

In this episode, content artist Melissa Sartin walks us through design tips for interactive screens, what you can do using our AxisTV Signage Suite software and the common mistakes to avoid.

- Learn the benefits of offering interactivity

- Discover AxisTV Signage Suite’s interactive options and widgets

- Get tips for designing good interactive screen layouts

- Explore design themes, navigation systems, ADA controls, imagery and timeouts

- Understand the importance of testing & success measures

 

See the full transcript HERE

Get more screen design advice in our Masterclass Guide 4: Digital Signage Design

Digital Signs for Business

Digital Signs for Business

EPISODE 70 | Guest: Jason Cain, region sales manager – South Central for Visix

Businesses of all types and sizes are using digital signage to inform and motivate employees, as well as communicate and connect with visitors and the public. But how successful your signage is always depends on what you’re showing on screens and how often you’re refreshing that content.

In this episode, Jason Cain walks us through how companies are using digital signs for business to engage both their internal and external audiences, the most popular content for each, and some of his best and worst real-world examples.

- Learn how businesses handle internal vs. public-facing communications

- Hear the pros and cons of enterprise, cloud and on-premise solutions

- Understand the benefits of automated events, alerts, KPIs and dashboards on screens

- Discover how room signs, interactivity and remote publishing can extend the impact of digital signs

- Explore cool real-world digital signage applications and get tips on what not to do

 

See the full transcript HERE

Get content ideas for campus signage in our white paper: Increasing Employee Engagement with Digital Signs

 

 

Employee Surveys - Dos & Don'ts

Employee Surveys - Dos & Don'ts

EPISODE 69 | Guests: Elizabeth Williams & Andrew Brown, founders of the Academy of Business Communications

Employee surveys are a longstanding tool in the management and communications arsenal. By getting direct feedback from your workforce, you can find out what’s working, what’s misunderstood or unclear, and what improvements your employees feel you need to make. But asking vague questions, crowding surveys with lots of junk and not updating your surveys to reflect current realities can do more harm than good. Also, if your surveys are too infrequent or employees don’t see any action afterwards, you can weaken the employee engagement you were trying to boost.

 

In this episode, employee communications experts Elizabeth Williams and Andrew Brown walk through the potential and pitfalls of employee surveys, what can happen when they’re done well and the dangers of doing them badly.

- Find out when employee surveys are a good idea, and when they’re not

- Learn how to focus surveys and avoid "might-as-well-itis"

- Find out how often to survey employees (it's more often than you think)

- Understand the importance of focus groups and middle managers

- Discover how to set and meet employee expectations around surveys

Get the full transcript HERE

Get more advice and free tools on the Academy of Business Communications website

7 Ways to Keep Remote Workers Engaged

7 Ways to Keep Remote Workers Engaged

EPISODE 68 | Guest: Sean Matthews, president & CEO, Visix, Inc.

What’s the difference between remote workers and in-office workers? Not much, it turns out. Every employee wants to feel motivated, connected and engaged, and every employee requires good communication from all levels of their organization. Remote workers need the same guidance and encouragement as in-office staff, and they can be just as productive (or more so) than the employee sitting in a cubicle if you evolve your mindset and your communication channels to deliver what they need.

In this episode, Sean Matthews talks about the realities of a growing hybrid workforce, specific challenges that Visix has faced and how we addressed them, along with some concrete advice for anyone struggling to engage their remote workers.

- Learn about the myths and mindsets that pose a barrier to remote engagement

- Hear how Visix adapted to an expanded remote workforce

- Understand the benefits of remote work for both employees and the bottom line

- Get seven practical tips on how to keep your remote workers engaged

- Explore technologies and techniques for hybrid office communications

 

Get the full transcript HERE

Get more advice in our free Guide to Engaging Remote Employees

 

Campus Signage - Why Digital Is Better

Campus Signage - Why Digital Is Better

EPISODE 67 | Guest: Dave Leo, region sales manager (North Central) for Visix, Inc.

Universities and colleges of all types and sizes are adopting digital campus signage. And they all have the same needs and the same mission, which is educate, inform and alert their students, staff and visitors. But it’s not enough to just put some screens up in hallways. You have to understand what types of messaging appeal to different viewers, and where and when to publish that content. You have to give your signage managers the tools they need to succeed and always think about the viewer experience.

 

In this episode, Dave Leo walks us through how higher education clients are using campus signage to engage their audiences, some of the dos and don’ts for a successful system, and some real-world examples of campus content.

- Learn about popular types of screen content for different audiences

- Understand the unique challenges for higher ed content managers

- Explore menu boards, donor boards, wayfinding and other interactive options

- Discover how digital signage ties into mass alerts

- Get advice and best practices for campus signage systems

 

Get the full transcript HERE

Get content ideas for campus signage in our white paper: Student-Centered Digital Signage for Colleges & Universities

 

Best Digital Signage Widgets for Different Users

Best Digital Signage Widgets for Different Users

EPISODE 66 | Guest: Ellyce Kelly, professional services consultant for Visix, Inc.

Choosing the best digital signage widgets starts with good user management. Different software users need access to the tools they feel most comfortable with, but they don’t necessarily need to see everything. Deciding what they should and shouldn’t interact with all stems from having a solid plan for your user hierarchy, content and workflows. This podcast can help get you started.

In this episode, we go through the main user types who create, schedule and manage content, and which widgets are best for them.

• Learn why and how to organize user profiles
• Explore three user personas – content submitter, content manager and content designer
• Hear about different widgets and how they’re used in screen layouts
• Discover interactive and HTML5 features
• Understand how to set up software users for success

Get the full transcript HERE 

Find out more about widgets on our webpage at: Easy Digital Signage Widgets