6 Steps to Effective Visual Storytelling in Internal Communications with Digital Signage

Tired of boring company announcements? Are your employees scrolling through their phones while important messages flash by on your digital signage? You’re not alone. Internal communication can be a tough nut to crack, but there’s a secret weapon you might be overlooking: visual storytelling.

Think of it this way: even the most mundane company update can be transformed into a captivating story. Imagine turning employee spotlights into mini-documentaries or company goals into an exciting adventure. Visual storytelling isn’t just for Hollywood blockbusters; it’s a game-changer for internal communications.

In this guide, we’ll break down the six steps to harness the power of visual storytelling on your digital signage. Get ready to transform your screens into engaging hubs of information, boost employee morale, and finally make your internal communications stick. Ready to turn your digital signage into a storytelling powerhouse? Let’s dive in!

Step One: Tap into the Psychology of Visuals

Ready to transform your digital signage from a static screen to a dynamic engagement hub? Let’s break down the science behind why visuals pack such a punch. Understanding this isn’t just about making things look pretty – it’s about unlocking the full potential of your internal communication strategies.

• The Human Brain: Did you know that 90% of information transmitted to our brains is visual? Yep, our brains are visual creatures! We process visuals a whopping 60,000 times faster than text. This means your company messages stand a better chance of cutting through the noise and sticking when they’re presented visually. In fact, implementing digital signage as part of your internal communication strategy can dramatically improve how information is received and retained.
• Emotion: Visuals don’t just inform, they also evoke emotions. A compelling image or video can spark joy, curiosity, or even a sense of urgency. When employees connect emotionally with your message, they’re more likely to take action, making corporate digital signage a powerful tool for driving engagement.
• Memory: Think back to your favorite movie or TV show. Chances are, you remember the visuals more vividly than the dialogue. That’s because visuals create stronger memories. By incorporating visuals into your internal communications, you’re not just delivering a message, you’re creating a lasting impression. This is why companies are increasingly turning to digital signage for internal communications to ensure their messages resonate.

Humans are hardwired for stories. We use them to make sense of the world, connect with others, and pass down knowledge. Visual storytelling takes this to the next level, combining the power of visuals with the emotional pull of narrative.

Think of it like this: your company isn’t just a collection of data and statistics; it’s a community of people with unique stories to tell. By sharing these stories visually, you’re building a stronger, more connected workplace culture, making digital signage for internal communication an essential tool for fostering engagement and belonging.

Step Two: Set Clear Communication Goals

Sure, dazzling visuals catch the eye, but without a clear purpose, they’re just digital wallpaper. Let’s talk strategy – the backbone of effective internal communications. Think of this as your roadmap to digital signage success.

Defining Your Destination: What Do You Want to Achieve?

Before you start creating content, get crystal clear on your goals. What do you want your digital signage to accomplish? Are you looking to:

• Boost employee morale: Share positive news, celebrate achievements, and foster a sense of community.
• Improve communication: Make sure important announcements, policy updates, and safety reminders are seen and understood.
• Drive engagement: Encourage participation in company events, training programs, and wellness initiatives.
• Reinforce company culture: Showcase your values, mission, and vision through compelling stories and visuals.
• Increase productivity: Share real-time performance metrics, recognize top performers, and motivate your team.

Measurable Goals The Key to Success

Don’t just set vague goals like “improve communication.” Get specific and measurable. For example, instead of “increase employee engagement,” try “increase employee participation in the company wellness program by 15% within three months.” This gives you a clear target to aim for and a way to measure your progress.

Pro Tip: Involve your team in the goal-setting process. Ask them what they’d like to see on the digital signage and what kind of content they find most engaging. This will help you create content that truly resonates with your audience.

Aligning Goals with Content

Once you’ve defined your goals, it’s time to match them with the right content. For example, if your goal is to boost morale, you might share employee testimonials, spotlight team achievements, or highlight positive customer feedback. If you’re looking to improve communication, you could display safety tips, company news, or upcoming events. The key is to ensure that every piece of content you create aligns with your overall communication strategy.

Remember, your digital signage isn’t just a decoration; it’s a powerful tool for driving employee engagement and achieving your business goals. By setting clear, measurable goals and aligning them with the right content, you’ll be well on your way to digital signage success.

Step Three: Craft Compelling Narratives

You’ve got the stunning visuals and a crystal-clear strategy. Now, it’s time to inject life into your internal communications with the art of storytelling. Let’s dive into how you can turn dry company updates into compelling narratives that employees actually want to watch.

The Anatomy of a Compelling Story

Every great story, whether it’s a Hollywood blockbuster or a company announcement, follows a similar structure:

• The Hook: Grab attention with a strong opening that piques curiosity.
• The Conflict: Introduce a challenge or problem that needs to be solved.
• The Rising Action: Build tension and excitement as the story unfolds.
• The Climax: Reach the turning point where the conflict is addressed.
• The Falling Action: Tie up loose ends and reveal the outcome.
• The Resolution: End on a positive note, leaving the audience feeling satisfied.

By following this structure, you can take even the most mundane company updates and turn them into engaging stories.

Bringing Your Stories to Life

Now that you know the basic structure, here are some tips for crafting narratives that resonate with your employees:

• Keep it Real: Authenticity is key. Share stories that are genuine and relatable.
• Use a Human Touch: Feature real employees in your stories. This helps to personalize your message and build a sense of community.
• Focus on the Positive: Highlight successes, achievements, and positive outcomes. This creates a sense of optimism and inspires your team.
• Use Humor: A little bit of humor can go a long way in making your stories more enjoyable and memorable.
• Be Concise: Keep your stories short and sweet. Attention spans are short, so get to the point quickly.

Going Beyond the Ordinary

Don’t be afraid to get creative with your storytelling. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Employee Spotlights: Highlight the unique talents and contributions of your team members.
• Behind-the-Scenes Glimpses: Give employees a sneak peek into the inner workings of your company.
• Customer Success Stories: Share how your products or services are making a real difference in the lives of your customers.
• Company Milestones: Celebrate your company’s history, achievements, and future goals.

Remember, your digital signage is a blank canvas for your creativity. Use it to tell stories that inspire, motivate, and inform your employees.

Step Four: Design Eye-Catching Visuals

You’ve got a compelling story; now let’s make it pop! Eye-catching visuals are crucial for capturing attention in the fast-paced world of digital signage. In fact, a study by 3M found that visuals are processed 60,000 times faster than text. Let’s explore how you can level up your design game.

• The Power of Simplicity: Don’t overwhelm your viewers with too much information. Keep your visuals clean, uncluttered, and easy to digest at a glance. Use plenty of white space, limit the number of fonts and colors, and avoid overly complex graphics. Remember, the goal is to communicate your message clearly and effectively, not to create a visual puzzle.
• The Rule of Thirds: The rule of thirds is a classic design principle that can help you create visually pleasing and balanced images. Imagine dividing your screen into thirds both horizontally and vertically. Place key elements, such as text or graphics, along these lines or at their intersections to create visual interest. This technique can help guide the viewer’s eye and make your visuals more dynamic.
• Color Theory: Colors aren’t just pretty; they evoke emotions and influence how we perceive information. Use color strategically to reinforce your message and create a specific mood. For example, warm colors like red and orange can convey excitement and energy, while cool colors like blue and green can create a sense of calm and trust.
• Typography: Typography is an art form that can add personality and style to your visuals. Choose fonts that are easy to read from a distance and that complement your brand identity. Use bold or italicized text to emphasize keywords or phrases. Avoid using too many different fonts, as this can make your visuals look cluttered and unprofessional.
• Motion Graphics: Incorporating motion graphics into your digital signage can make your visuals more dynamic and engaging. Use subtle animations to draw attention to specific elements, highlight key messages, or create a sense of movement. Keep your animations short and to the point, avoiding anything that could be distracting or overwhelming.
• Visual Hierarchy: Visual hierarchy is the arrangement of elements in a way that guides the viewer’s eye through your design. Use size, color, contrast, and placement to create a clear hierarchy of information. Start with the most important message and then use smaller elements to support and reinforce it. This helps your viewers quickly understand your message and avoids confusion.

Step Five: Choose the Right Tools and Platforms

Your visuals are ready to wow, but without the right tools and platforms, your digital signage dreams might fizzle out. Let’s break down the essential components you’ll need to turn your vision into reality.

First up, you’ll need a content creation tool. This could be as simple as PowerPoint or Google Slides, or you might opt for a more sophisticated design program like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. The key is to choose a tool that you’re comfortable with and that allows you to create the types of visuals you envision.

Next, you’ll need a digital signage player. This is the hardware that will actually display your content on your screens. There are a variety of players available, so it’s important to choose one that is compatible with your screens and your budget. Some popular options include:

• Media players: These are small, affordable devices that can be easily connected to your existing screens.
• Smart TVs: Many smart TVs come with built-in digital signage capabilities, making them a convenient and cost-effective option.
• PCs: If you need more flexibility and power, you can use a PC as your digital signage player.

Finally, you’ll need a digital signage software platform. This is the software that will allow you to manage your content, schedule playlists, and monitor your digital signage displays. There are many different platforms available, each with its own set of features and pricing.

CrownTV: Your Digital Signage Solution

CrownTV isn’t just another platform; it’s a comprehensive digital signage ecosystem designed to simplify and amplify your internal communications. It seamlessly blends cutting-edge hardware and intuitive software, empowering you to create, manage, and deliver captivating content that drives employee engagement and business results.

• The CrownTV Dashboard: Take the reins of your digital signage network with CrownTV’s powerful dashboard. Effortlessly schedule and manage content across multiple screens, locations, and time zones – all from one centralized hub. Keep your finger on the pulse of your communications with real-time monitoring and analytics, ensuring your message is always on point and reaching its intended audience.
• The CrownTV Player: Power up your screens with the CrownTV Player, a compact powerhouse designed exclusively for CrownTV. This sleek device delivers stunning visuals and seamless playback, ensuring your content looks its best on any screen. Plus, its plug-and-play functionality makes setup a breeze, even for non-techies.
• Unlimited App Integrations: Your digital signage should do more than just display static images. With CrownTV’s vast app library, the possibilities are endless. Integrate with your favorite tools and platforms, from social media feeds to real-time data dashboards, to create a dynamic and interactive experience for your employees.
• The White Glove Treatment: Let CrownTV take care of the heavy lifting with our White Glove Experience service. Our team of experts will handle everything from installation and setup to content creation and ongoing support. It’s the ultimate hassle-free solution for businesses that want to get the most out of their digital signage without the added stress.

Step Six: Measure Your Impact

You’ve poured your heart and soul (and a fair amount of creativity) into your digital signage as part of your digital signage strategy. But how do you know if it’s actually working? Measuring the impact of your efforts isn’t just about vanity metrics; it’s about making data-driven decisions to continually improve your employee communications. Let’s explore how you can gauge the effectiveness of your visual storytelling and ensure your investment in incorporating digital signage is paying off.

First and foremost, track viewer engagement. Most digital signage software platforms offer built-in analytics that allows you to see how many people are viewing your content, how long they’re watching, and which pieces are the most popular. These insights can help you identify what’s resonating with your audience and what might need a refresh. For instance, if a particular piece highlighting employee recognition garners more attention, you might consider incorporating more of this type of content into your effective internal communication strategy.

Finally, don’t forget to track your return on investment (ROI). Digital signage can be a significant investment, so it’s important to ensure that it’s delivering a positive return. Calculate the cost of your digital signage system, including hardware, software, content creation, and maintenance, and compare it to the benefits you’re seeing, such as increased employee engagement, productivity, and morale. By tracking your ROI, you can justify your investment and make a strong case for continued support.

Remember, measuring the impact of your visual storytelling isn’t a one-time event. It’s an ongoing process that requires continuous monitoring and analysis. By regularly tracking your progress, gathering feedback, and making data-driven decisions, you can ensure that your digital signage continues to deliver results and drive positive change within your organization.

The Bottom Line: Your Digital Signage Success Story Starts Now

You’ve unlocked the secrets of effective visual storytelling for internal corporate communications. Armed with the power of psychology, strategic goal-setting, compelling narratives, eye-catching design, and the right tools, your digital signage is ready to transform the way you communicate with your employees.

Let’s recap the key takeaways from this guide:

• Visuals are king: Harness the power of images, videos, and animation to capture attention and create lasting impressions.
• Goals guide your content: Define clear, measurable objectives to ensure your digital signage aligns with your communication strategy.
• Stories spark engagement: Craft compelling narratives that resonate with your employees and build a stronger company culture.
• Design matters: Utilize design principles like simplicity, color theory, and visual hierarchy to create eye-catching visuals.
• Measure your success: Track viewer engagement, gather feedback, and analyze data to continuously improve your efforts.

Your Digital Signage, Your Way

Remember, the most effective internal communications are authentic, engaging, and tailored to your audience. Use these insights to create a digital signage experience that reflects your company’s unique personality and values.

If you’re ready to take your digital signage to the next level, consider partnering with a company like CrownTV, a leader in digital signage solutions. We offer a comprehensive suite of services, including advanced cloud-based software, a wide range of indoor and high-brightness window digital displays, expert installation, and even a white-glove service that takes care of everything from start to finish.

With over a decade of experience and a proven track record of success, CrownTV can help you create a digital signage solution that not only meets but exceeds your expectations. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, CrownTV has the expertise and resources to help you achieve your internal communication goals.