We live in a fast-paced world where information flows at incredible speeds. Nobody is interested in yesterday’s news anymore – we’re all used to having real-time information delivered to us on our screens at will.
Digital signage is no different. If you want people to pay attention to your digital displays, you need to show them something relevant and interesting. This is where real-time data comes in.
Quality digital signage software solutions allow users to access real-time information and translate it into attention-grabbing digital visuals. But what is real-time digital signage content anyway, and how can you use it?
What Is Real-Time Digital Signage Content?
Real-time content, also known as live content, is content that is relevant to what is going on at this very moment. In other words, the digital signage software gathers information, such as the weather, the latest news, or any other real-time data, and turns it into a visual that will be displayed on digital signs. In general, this data processing and content generation happens automatically in the background (i.e. there’s no need for the user to manage real-time content manually).
How to Use Real-Time Content for Digital Signage
We’ve already established that people like to see relevant, real-time information. In other words, real-time digital content can engage users and, hopefully, boost your business with it. But how can you use real-time data? If you’re having trouble coming up with something, here are seven excellent ways to use real-time content for digital signage.
1. Live Streams
With almost 30% of people watching live content weekly, live streaming is one of the most widely consumed forms of media today. Why not attract new audiences by streaming live events on your digital signage? This could include concerts, theater plays, sporting matches, conferences, or anything else that fits the purpose of your business.
If you’re planning on streaming live content, you should keep in mind a couple of things. First, you will need a live-streaming platform that will source and transmit your content. Secondly, you should have a strong and stable internet connection to ensure lag-free streaming.
2. Social Wall
By putting up a social media wall on your digital signs, you can ensure that people will stay up-to-date with the happenings in your company, industry trends, or anything else you post on social media about. This can have multiple benefits. First, it can attract new activity to your social media accounts. Secondly, it will motivate more people to create user-generated content (which you can then reuse for your social wall or marketing purposes).
3. Timetables
Timetables are a form of real-time content that is most commonly found in transportation hubs such as airports, bus and train stations, and similar. However, there are other places where you may find a digital timetable, too. For instance, in movie theaters, conference rooms, and so on.
4. Date, Time, Weather
While information such as the date, time, and weather is generally available on almost anyone’s phone, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t include them on your digital signs, too. Sure, a giant clock with nothing else going on likely won’t attract any attention, but most would probably appreciate seeing a clock, the date, and the temperature in the corner of your screen, at least. The rest of the screen can be used for other relevant content, presentations, advertisements, and similar.
5. Scoreboards
Scoreboards are a fun way to keep people engaged in a wide variety of situations. For instance, digital signage in casinos can display scoreboards for certain games. Similar can be done at arcades, bowling alleys, and such.
However, scoreboards can also be used behind the scenes, for internal communication and employee motivation. The scoreboard could, for instance, display the best-performing salespeople of the day so far or keep track of KPIs across the team.
6. News Wall
Similar to social walls, news walls generate the latest news (from selected sources) on digital signs, helping everyone stay up-to-date on the latest events. You can use your digital signage system to display local news, industry-related news, or similar. News displays can keep audiences engaged for longer periods of time, making them a great option, for instance, for reducing perceived waiting times in lobbies, stations, or other locations.
7. Digital Bulletin Boards
If there is quite a bit of real-time information you need to share with your customers or employees, you can always turn your digital signage into a digital bulletin board. This will allow you to present several pieces of content at once, arrange them any way you like, and keep them all visible at the same time. Just like a traditional bulletin board, only much easier.
Get Started With Digital Signage
Are you looking to put up some digital signs at your business? Then let Rise Vision help! Our easy-to-use digital signage software allows you to choose from hundreds of different templates, including time and weather templates, social walls, news walls, and more. Get started by requesting a free demo or signing up for our free digital signage software.
