How to create a digital bulletin board?

The realm of communication transfer is in a constant state of evolution. Organizations across the globe are embracing dynamic content creation tools to showcase their brands with the utmost effectiveness. Here comes virtual bulletin boards—a true game-changer in this arena.

What is a digital bulletin board?

A digital bulletin board is a TV or digital screen that serves as a platform for presenting important information and announcements. Additionally, these allow you to post notifications, such as flash sale updates, weather information, scrolling tickers of news or new launch text, social media feeds, and local area maps. Curious to learn how to create an electronic info board? Keep reading!

How to make a digital bulletin board?

Following are some effective ways to set up your digital bulletin:

1. Select your screen

To begin, select the desired screen for displaying your information. Connect the chosen hardware to the e-bulletin board software for seamless information presentation. Opting for cloud-based signage is a wise decision as it enables you to post announcements and update content remotely and at any time.

The two primary display technologies for digital bulletin boards are LED and LCD. OLED and QLED are some advanced options.

• Interactive Boards: Consider touchscreen displays with capacitive or infrared technology for interactive use cases.

• Outdoor Bulletin Boards: Opt for high-brightness screens designed for outdoor use, often using LED technology to ensure visibility in bright sunlight. These should be weatherproof and built to withstand extreme temperatures.

Info-boards can further be sub-classified depending on screen orientation:

• Menu Bulletins: Portrait orientation is ideal for displaying menus in restaurants.

• General Displays: Landscape works well for general information displays such as news or stock market updates, weather information, social media posts, etc.

2. Choose a user-friendly interface

A user-friendly digital signage dashboard is like a remote control for electronic signs. It simplifies creating, scheduling, and updating on-screen content, making it accessible to individuals with varying technical expertise. Here are some common features to look for:

• Drag-and-drop content management: Users should be able to upload and organize content (such as images, videos, and text) by simply dragging and dropping files into the dashboard. This eliminates the need for technical file management.

• Intuitive design: The dashboard should have a clean and intuitive design, with easily recognizable icons and buttons. It should help understand how to navigate the interface with little training.

• Template-based design: Offering pre-designed templates for content layouts allows users to create visually appealing displays without graphic design skills.

• Scheduling: An important feature that can help you decide when and where to display certain pieces of content. For instance, they can specify that a specific advertisement runs on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 AM to 5 PM.

• Remote management: The dashboard should allow users to control displays remotely, enabling them to make real-time updates or troubleshoot issues without physically being near the screens. This is useful for large-scale deployments.

• Preview: Users should be able to preview how their content will look on the actual displays before pushing it live. This helps ensure content accuracy.

• Content library: A library feature allows users to store and reuse content easily. They can archive old content and access it when needed for future use.

• Device compatibility: The dashboard should be compatible with a wide range of digital signage hardware, such as Android, Windows, Linux, iOS, Raspberry Pi, etc., ensuring flexibility and scalability.

• Analytics and reporting: Providing data on how well content is performing (e.g., audience engagement, click-through rates) helps users make data-driven decisions for content optimization. A bulletin board using software integrated with this feature helps make decisions based on the kind of content people engage with the most.

3. Pair your screens

Once you have downloaded the digital bulletin board software, it is time to pair the screen with the software. You can add a screen by entering the pairing code. To add multiple bulletin boards, you simply have to repeat this process.

Sometimes, sync errors might occur while pairing the screen to the software. To troubleshoot it, check all cable connections for security and integrity, ensuring compatibility between the screen and software by reviewing system requirements. Restart both devices to refresh configurations and keep software and firmware updated. Verify network settings and pairing code accuracy, and if problems persist, consider resetting devices to defaults.

4. Curate the message

Utilize the board for instant information access. Ensure the added content is straightforward for easy comprehension. AAdditionally, employing a user-friendly system to display the information simplifies the process of updating it as needed. For example, in an educational setting, you can use the board to display class schedules, emergency alerts, or event notifications, ensuring that students and staff can easily access this information when needed.

Some of the best ways to create a virtual bulletin board are through the Google Slides app and Pickcel’s digital bulletin board app. These offer specialized features for managing and displaying content on digital screens, making it a convenient choice for organizations looking for a dedicated solution.

5. Look for customizable templates

Customizable templates are pre-designed formats or layouts that can be adjusted or personalized to suit specific messages. This feature simplifies the process for administrators who must create and handle content.

For instance, if you’re promoting a school event on your digital bulletin board, you can choose a template for event announcements. It might include sections for event date, time, location, and a catchy headline. You can fill in the event details, upload event images, and customize the text to fit your event’s theme. This saves time and ensures a professional and visually appealing display. Pickcel’s template library offers over 100 free templates that you can use to create content that suits your needs. From digital menus to announcement layouts, we offer it all.

6. API integrations

API integrations are like bridges that allow different software or services to communicate and work together. It is a set of rules and tools that enable one software application to interact with and access the features or data of another.

For example, consider you are running a social media campaign using a digital bulletin board to showcase user-generated content on your retail store screens. A software supporting third-party integrations will automatically fetch info from your social media without any manual interruptions.

This means that any posts or content created there can appear on all electronic displays without you having to copy and paste them manually. It streamlines the process and ensures your on-screen content stays up-to-date.

7. Schedule the message

A digital bulletin board allows you to save time and improve internal communication by scheduling messages for every day. For instance, an e-notice board for teachers can remind them of the tasks to carry out throughout the week. With every passing day, the messages will continue to change. So once created, you can schedule when each will be displayed.

Benefits of digital bulletin board for teachers

Following are some of the ways teachers can use the digital bulletin board to improve their teaching experience –

• Student Recognition

  When teachers recognize and reward the growth of students, they pave the way for further development. Teachers can use a digital noticeboard to recognize hard-working or creative students. This is an excellent way to engage the students with teachers’ ideas. Moreover, it will also highlight the efforts of the students, motivating them to perform better with a positive outlook.

• Emphasizing On Important Facts

  A digital bulletin board is an excellent resource for teachers to emphasize details. It provides a perfect and quick outline of trivial facts, rules and regulations, and lessons. It is also an eco-friendly way of displaying and updating information across the campus!

  Data transparency

Digital bulletin boards are often used in various settings, including educational institutions, corporate offices for internal communications, and public spaces, to display information to a broad audience. This may include personal or confidential data, such as event schedules, announcements, or employee information. A data security policy ensures that displayed data is protected from unauthorized access or breaches.

For instance, educational institutions may need to adhere to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) regulations, while healthcare facilities must follow HIPAA guidelines. Compliance certifications demonstrate that the organization meets requirements when using bulletin boards to share information.

• Event calendars

  Keeping up with all the activities throughout the week can be a tedious task. However, a digital bulletin board allows teachers to create an event calendar and link to the Google or Outlook calendar. The calendar can have all information related to timetables, deadlines, free periods, tests, etc.

• Quizzes and games

  Teachers can utilize e-noticeboards for student interactivity. This engaging approach serves as a fun and effective method to assess students’ knowledge and skills. Teachers can utilize the digital bulletin board for math trivia, internal communication such as announcing classroom debates and tests, or entertaining games for students.

• Personal noticeboard

  In addition to sharing valuable lesson information, digital signboards are communication tools that serve as a channel between students and teachers. It provides an opportunity to share personal references or inside jokes with the class while offering guidance and support. This enables fostering stronger connections, greatly enhancing the overall teaching experience.

  Final Thoughts

  An electronic noticeboard offers an efficient and personalized method of sharing information. Unlike traditional ones, it allows for a multitude of innovations with the addition of dynamic content such as 3D graphics, slideshows, playlists, and more. To top it up, you can schedule content to be displayed over specific timeframes, such as a week or a few days, hassle-free and in one go!

  Now that you know what it is all about and how to create one, it’s time for you to learn the various benefits of using digital signage for schools and educational institutions!