What most people don’t know is that if a residential screen is installed in a commercial environment the warranty may become void. So check the warranty before installing residential screens. Another big difference between Commercial and Residential Screens is that most commercial grade screens do not have internal TV tuner cards – you’ll generally need to purchase this as an additional module or item. What I find most interesting is that most restaurants with screens just display live TV rather than promote their products or menu items. This could be a reason why these types of businesses would want to use retail screens or maybe they don’t realise what they can use this real estate for.

As I mentioned before retail screens are cheaper. Most businesses use price to make their final purchasing decision so when submitting your next proposal keep in mind that your competitor’s prices could be cheaper than yours. Commercial screens are designed to be left on for long periods of time and will last longer.

I also believe there is a myth that using retails screens means you can install the screen yourself and that for commercial screens you need a skilled and professional installer. Both are equally the same and if can install a retail screen then you will most likely be able to install a commercial screen but we highly recommend you have a skilled professional install the screens.

© AdvertiseMe.com.au for Digital Signage Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 4 comments |
Post tags: Big Screens, Commercial Environment, Competitor, Final Decision, live tv, Long Periods Of Time, Myth, Perception, Professional Installer, Proposal, Real Estate, restaurants, Retail Store, screens, Store Owner, Tv Tuner, Tv Tuner Cards, Types Of Businesses, Warranty

Whichever way you look at it, spending the time and money to develop a great digital signage proposal is one of the best ROI outcomes that your business will see. So were do you start with creating a proposal if you haven’t done one before. Putting together the first digital signage proposal will always be the most difficult but if it’s done right you can re-use this and develop a template to suit your business and your clients. Now, you have to remember that creating a great digital signage sales proposal can be a major difference between your company’s success or failure and this depends on how well you delivered and prepared for the proposal.

When I think about the term proposal, I always think about a document that is supplied to the potential client. However, a video or a sales presentation can also be a proposal so use your imagination and determine the best way to deliver your proposal.

Here are a few tips to get you started with developing your digital signage proposal:

Why Your Business?

You need to distinguish your digital signage business from all other digital signage companies out there. Let your potential client know why your digital signage products or services will be vital to them achieving future goals. Keep in mind that the digital signage industry is growing so there are more companies jumping into this market so you need to be able to provide your clients with something “new” or “different”.

Educate

For those clients who are new to digital signage, you need to educate them about digital signage  and what they can achieve by using this technology. The best way to do this is pretend that you’re talking to a little kid and avoid talking in techie terms unless you’re audience has a techie background. The use of flowcharts, diagrams, tables and figures are always helpful with helping people to understand what you’re talking about.

Persuade

Use key words to persuade your client to purchase or take up your services and at the same time be genuine. Avoid using words to force your client to make a decision on the spot and as they may potentially walk out the door. Give them enough time to go through the entire proposal and then follow up.

ROI

Make it clear how your digital signage proposal is going to make their investment worthwhile, and when they should start to see results. Charts and graphs are very useful ways to help convey this, and the more colorful and easily understood, the better. If you do have case studies then talk about these in your proposal and keep highlighting the fact that digital signage is able to increase sales and revenue.

Also detail and breakdown all the associated costs the client will need to pay. There are many other pointers and we would love to hear from most of you.

What information should you include in your proposal?

Feel free to submit your answer as a comment.

© AdvertiseMe.com.au for Digital Signage Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 2 comments |
Post tags: Audience, Background, Charts And Graphs, Current Situation, digital signage, Failure, Goals, Helping People, Imagination, Intents And Purposes, Investment, Key Words, Lead, Leads, Little Kid, New Projects, Proposal, Proposals, Prospects, Reason, Sales Presentation, Sales Presentations, Sales Proposal, Sales Proposals, Signage Business, Signage Companies, Signage Industry, Signage Products, Techie Terms, Theme And Introduction, Time And Money, Video Sales

In today’s day and age, the Internet and email technology has revolutionised the way we communicate with people all over the world. Both of these technologies are critical and vital to the operations of any business. Without these technologies, your employees and company will come to a standstill.

Moving forward with technology, digital signage is a new form of digital medium for corporate businesses with multiple offices around the world to deliver dynamic messages to its employees. It is a proven fact that dynamic images and information attract more attention than static images such as posters or billboards by a factor of 10.

XXX  is a large global organisation and it can embrace this technology by keeping its local and remote employees up to date with; business events (National Sales Conferences, annual Christmas party), corporate headlines (the launch of new xxx products or systems) and local business effecting announcements (building renovations, Information Technology business interruptions).

What is digital signage?

Digital signage is the method of displaying multimedia content on a display unit such as a LCD screen, a plasma display panel, a monitor, a video wall composed of a number of screens to deliver informative and entertaining content to employees, visitors, captive audiences and passers by.

As opposed to still images, multimedia content is the new standard of digital communication. The information presented to your viewers will not only be exciting but also captivating.

Benefits

XXX can use the digital signage technology to impress both its visitors and employees. Imagine the following scenarios:

Your visitors are standing at your reception desk signing the visitor’s book. They look up and their eyes are caught by a large LCD screen. A message is displayed “Welcome to XXX.” The message fades and the next message appears “Dear visitor, please ensure your visitors badge is visible at all times whilst on XXX premises. Please also remember to sign out before leaving. Thank you and enjoy your visit.” The system can also be used to display Training timetable information (training name, time and locations) and help guide your visitors to the training rooms.

Your employees walk into the office and their eyes are caught by the LCD screen. There is a message on the screen “Reminder: Flash Presentation at 11:00 AM”. In this particular scenario, the system is being used as a bulletin board to efficiently remind staff of particular events.

Your employees are eating in the cafeteria, the LCD screen displays the message at all sites with the following “advertise me Christmas countdown: 2 days to go. Visit http://www.advertiseme.com.au for more information.” Staff members are updated with important company information.

There are infinite possibilities and scenarios where your business can benefit from this evolving digital signage technology. Take the step now and you will notice the difference.

Just by simply introducing the digital signage technology to XXX’s corporate environment, Advertise Me can guarantee the business can achieve the following:

• Promote new products to its employees
• Increase awareness of critical business projects to employees
• Improve business image to visitors and the public
• Achieve recognition from competitors by being the first YYY company to use this technology
• Keep employees informed with information with eye catching presentations

Proposal

A typical digital signage network consists of a small form factor Personal Computer, a 32 inch LCD TV (inclusive of a mounting bracket) and the digital signage software.  Our proposal for XXX is slightly different and is as follows:

• XXX will supply Advertise Me with a PC which meets our technical specifications. This will ensure that the PC has been qualified by a XXX employee and conforms to the XXX standards.
• We will supply XXX with a 32 inch LCD TV as a minimum or for an additional cost, upgrade to a larger screen size LCD.
• We will install, configure and support the software on any PC that is connected to a stand.
• Provide basic training to either IT staff or XXX employees who will manage the system
• Provide on-site maintenance for the equipment and software

XXX has the option to have the digital network set up on its own private network or on the Advertise Me network. Our preference is to have the PC’s on our network so that we can monitor and remotely manage each stand. We will provide Internet access points at each stand and set up VPN (Virtual Private Network) tunnels with the highest security back to our network. We will then provide XXX with access to the players via our network.

There are ZZZ XXX offices based in Australia; [locations]. At each location we propose to have an stand at the reception desk, and one in the cafeteria/lunch area. At XXX we can additionally add another stand in the Hub.

© AdvertiseMe.com.au for Digital Signage Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 2 comments |
Post tags: Business Events, Business Interruptions, Captive Audiences, Christmas Party, Corporate Businesses, Corporate Headlines, Digital Communication, Digital Medium, digital signage, Dynamic Images, Dynamic Messages, Global Organisation, Images Multimedia, Information Technology Business, lcd screen, Multimedia Content, Plasma Display Panel, Proposal, Reception Desk, Standstill, Static Images, Still Images, video wall