subject: 5 Ways To Leverage Digital Signs For Your Business [print this page] If you've been standing in line at your local bank or eating at one of your favorite restaurants and noticed they had set up a digital sign, it probably grabbed your attention, and like most viewers you were probably impressed. And if you're an entrepreneur, you've probably begun to wonder, "How can I use something like that for my business?" That's how you should be thinking because an entrepreneur needs to be aware of the latest tools, and even if digital signs have been around for a while, they have never been so versatile (or cheap) as they are today.
Here are 5 ideas for using digital billboards for business purposes.
1. Entertainment
One of the first ways to leverage digital signs that often comes to mind is entertainment value, and even if that doesn't seem immediately practical in terms of dollar signs, it is much more practical than first impression implies. It is extremely important to keep your customers and business partners comfortable when they come into your establishment, and any time there is a possible scenario where they might get impatient, like long lines or waiting rooms, it is smart to offer some form of entertainment to keep them distracted.
Displaying the news, television, or some recent movie release are all popular ways to do this.
2. Set the Mood
Digital signs are great for setting the mood as well, and many different types of organizations are doing this. It may be how you saw the technology being leveraged by your bank. Many financial institutions will set up signs broadcasting financial news or even an LED ticker delivering a steady stream of numbers that are relevant to their customers. Sports bars and business schools are even getting in on this creative use.
3. Menu Board
Restaurants are finding an intriguing addition to their business in the form of digital menu boards, and it is a great solution for displaying specialsnot to mention it takes away the headache of making a new menu every time something changes. Something out of stock for the day? Easily communicated, or deleted, via a digital display, and images of foodcomplete with sizzling soundscan be set up to draw attention to high dollar menu items.
4. Communication
Let's not forget how valuable digital signs can be for delivering information. This is one of the most popular reasons businesses are investing in digital display technology, and interactive setups provide a wide variety of solutions for guiding people into your business in a streamlined fashion that does not require employee time in all cases. They can also be used to draw attention to specials, sales, projects, new products, or even charitable contributions.
5. Advertising Space
Perhaps the most creative use of digital signage that I've seen (although that is an ambitious statement) is to sell advertising space. Many small business owners have caught on to the fact that a few well-placed digital signs around a restaurant or some other business really catches a lot of eyes, and this fact hasn't escaped the attention of other entrepreneurs. High schools have also been known to pull in a decent income stream by allowing advertisers to rent their digital billboards, and then that money can be poured into the school.
