When it comes to your school's hall of fame and athletic history, you can't just "set it and forget it." With Touchstone’s Digital Hall of Fame, that is exactly what you can do.
Do you want to stay interesting and useful? Work with our team to set up a plan to get it done well! The most important question is how often the Hall of Fame software should really be changed. The best way to stay up to date without taking up too much of your already busy plan is to talk about this.
The Golden Rule For Digital Hall of Fames
There isn't a single answer that works for everyone, which is the issue. Your updates should happen at the same time every year as your university's natural processes. What I call the "academic heartbeat" method is used by most of the successful institutions I've worked with, often featuring an interactive hall of fame.
The best amount of time between updates is every three months. They happen at the same time as big events on campus, graduations, and changes between classes, often celebrated on the digital hall of fame wall. It happens often enough to keep things interesting, but not so often that you're always on the lookout for new things. Take a look at this: every three months, your school welcomes new people with new stories to tell. The program for your digital hall of fame should show that spirit.
Breaking Down the Types of Content
Not every piece of information needs to be updated at the same time. Smart universities split up their information into:
Regular Updates (Every Month)
- Recent things that graduates have done
- Important facts about present students
- Achievements in sports
- Thanks to the faculty
Updates every three months at a medium rate
- Changes to recognize donors
- Awards for doing well in school
- Stories of how people have helped their communities
- Looking back at the past
Annual Low-Frequency Updates
- Celebrations of important anniversaries
- Changes to the system-wide design and improvements to old material
- Putting the collection in order
This tiered method keeps the dynamic nature of your interactive touchscreen systems without putting too much stress on your content team.
What Happens When You Update Often in Real Life
I've seen colleges change the atmosphere on their campuses by adding thoughtful new material, including an interactive digital kiosk. Take a look at how VisiCalc changed computers. This didn't happen just once and then go away. It evolved, was updated, and stayed relevant. Your digital recognition tool is the same way.
Getting updates often builds anticipation for the interactive display. Students start to look for this month's special people. Alumni feel more connected when they know that their success may be shared. Donors see their efforts being actively celebrated with a plaque on the wall of fame.
Seasonal Strategy: Making sure that updates come out at the right time
For the start of the fall semester (August/September)
- Tell inspiring stories from past students in an interactive digital hall of fame to meet new students.
- Stress your jobs and what you've done this summer.
- Bring attention to the accomplishments of returning teachers.
Winter/Spring Refresh in January and February
- Honor the graduates from the winter events with a trophy case showcasing their achievements.
- During the holidays, bring attention to ways people can help their neighborhood.
- Update your list of sports achievements from the fall.
April or May: Spring Festival
- Changes to the main graduation text can be displayed on a digital signage system.
- Collections of what was accomplished each year can be showcased on an interactive digital hall of fame.
- Check out the summertime activities and offers.
Summer Spotlight in June and July
- Things about the alumni reunions
- The best parts of the summer session can be highlighted in an immersive installation.
- When campus is quiet, people think about the past.
It is easier than ever thanks to hall of fame displays.
Digital display software has come a long way since the early days of computer pioneers, now enabling interactive digital hall of fame experiences. These days' systems have cloud-based content management features that make changes as easy as posting something on social media. Your team can schedule updates, see what changes will look like on the interactive display, and even set up automatic shifts. It's kind of like having a personal helper for your recognition program, enhancing it with rocket alumni solutions.
Warning Signs There needs to be more regular updates.
Pay attention to these signs:
- Engaged but tired: Not as many people are stopping to look at displays.
- Out-of-date data: Talk about "recent" events that happened two years ago in information
- Chances lost: Important successes that go months without being recognized deserve a place on the digital wall of fame.
- Patterns of feedback regarding the interactive display: People in college ask, "When will this be updated?"
The Calendar Method for Content:
Smart institutions have editing calendars, just like big newspapers and magazines. Plan your year around the installation of the new interactive hall of fame:
- January: The month's main goal - What you did in the new year. Extra Information - The best parts of winter sports.
- February: The month's main goal - Success in school. Extra Information - News about alumni's jobs.
- March: The month's main goal - Highlights of working together on studies in the community.
- April: A month to unveil our new interactive digital kiosk. The month's main goal - Achievements in the spring, showcased on the wall of fame. Extra Information - Thank you to donors.
- May: The month's main goal - Birthday celebrations for graduates. Extra Information - Achievements in school can be highlighted on a touchscreen display.
- June: The month's main goal - Things about the alumni meeting. Extra Information - Sneak peeks at the summer program.
You'll never have to look for content again with this methodical approach that promises quality all the time.
Not too expensive Methods for Updates
There is no need for a Hollywood-style budget for creation. Pay attention to:
- Content that people have made for the interactive hall of fame: Encourage everyone on school to submit
- Present assets: Use posts from blogs, newsletters, and social media.
- Ideas for each season: It should be easy to add new information to themes using a customizable template.
- Platforms that work together: Use the same material on different channels for the university's interactive digital strategy.
Taking a Look at Achievement: When it's good to make updates
Keep an eye on these measures to get the most out of how often you update:
- Engagement time: the amount of time people spend engaging with screens.
- Visitors to follow up: How often recurring exchanges happen
- Needs for content: Submissions from the campus community
- Showing up to events: Link between traits and events that happen on campus
How to See the Future Method
Just like well-known software has to change to stay up to date, your content plan should incorporate interactive digital signage. Things that work this term might not work next year, but they could work for a very long time. Celebrating previous wins and inspiring others to follow suit are the objectives. People should feel like they're a part of something fresh and significant when they join your school's hall of fame program.
The best frequency is the one that your college community really reacts to. Updates every three months with well-thought-out additions every month tend to hit the sweet spot. What's the secret? First, make a plan that you can stick to, and then change it as you learn more.
It's the stories that your digital recognition tool tells that make it strong. And for new stories, you should tell them in new ways using a touchscreen display.
Do you have any questions about our goods for digital recognition? Our group is ready to make an unforgettable experience for your company with an immersive installation featuring a touchscreen hall of fame.
Touchstone Digital Solutions: Honoring the past. Inspiring the future through our digital wall of fame.
(603) 361-7541
info@touchstone-ds.com