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Using an umbrella firm for a contractor can deliver numerous benefits. The umbrella company also benefits they charge. When you’re searching for an umbrella company,you need to make sure it’s affordable for you and the fees are worth it. Knowing an umbrella company’s fees shouldn’t be overly hard,and ought to be transparent too. If you’re not sure what to expect from umbrella company fees and you would like to know what’s too much or too small,use this manual to understand fee structures and amounts.

How You Pay Umbrella Fees

There are two ways that fees are paid by you to an umbrella company. The first is through weekly fee or a monthly. The second is by paying them a percentage of the money you earn from your customers. {Most umbrella schemes will use and makes it easy to know how much you’ll be paying

When you want to get your name & talents known to a wide audience,being excellent at what you do is only the first step,and the most important part is arguably acting on self-marketing ideas.

The Many Types of Self-Marketing Ideas

Great marketing isn’t just something you blindly jump on without looking at the caveats. It’s something where,by the end of a campaign,you won’t be asking yourself about what could’ve made it a whole lot easier.

There are many different types of marketing out there. Some time-tested & very effective,and others not as effective in the long run.

There’s a means of marketing which you’re probably mulling over. Chances are,it’s because there are just as many people who think it’s effective,as there are those who think it’s INeffective!

Why Search Engine Optimization

Search engine optimization is just one of those things. Where it seems that knowing SEO is very much a commonality across digital marketers,it seems that there’s an equal amount of people who’ve skeptically yelled “SEO is dead” out loud repeatedly.

Truth be told,SEO can be difficult to measure. There are tons of ins and outs to it,and Google is changing their search algorithms every week,so one technique that may’ve worked last week won’t work the next.

Carefully executed with every aspect taken into consideration,SEO can be the most effective form of marketing you’ll have ever experienced. Today,society turns to Google more than anything else when they want their questions answered,so whatever niche you’re in,it’s certain that people are looking for experts like you. Effectively,Google decides who your target audience gets to work with.

For SEO to truly work,Google wants trust from you as an authority. You don’t develop that long-term trust using PPC. You do it using SEO,and there are internet marketers who know how.

Trust,in general,is essential to you when you do your personal branding,so a well thought-out SEO campaign could be the ultimate inciting force for your exposure to a wider audience.

When You’re On Top of Google,It Gives You Bragging Rights

Professional SEO gives you bragging rights about your self-marketing. It gives you the confidence that when people ask you how you’re doing,you can resoundingly answer that you’re on top of the world – well,on Google anyways! Google is one of the ultimate platforms for people to discover people and businesses,so consider yourself thankful that you even landed here.

You’re a rare gem that is on the verge of taking action on tried-&-true services to get your name out there,where other people wouldn’t even think of touching it.

So why not act on it?

You’ll be amazed that someone is helping you to be found on-demand on Google. That doesn’t happen so easily using pay-per-click ads. Use SEO for your self-marketing.

Read Our Featured Links

Read these featured links to learn more about SEO and what it means for you.

• A very handy guide about- and the business benefits of SEO. It clarifies the specific techniques that enable forward-thinking entrepreneurs,leaders and changemakers to scale hands-off and create a positive image for their customers. All thanks to the inherent marketing systemization that results from their choice of SEO campaign. Not convinced yet? This readthrough will tell you all about it.
• An article about- goes into the next step,which is how to actually go about choosing the SEO agency that will work best for you. Choosing the right consultant is a system in and of itself,and neglecting one factor could result in a mismatch and an ineffective marketing campaign.
• -is a group of SEO consultants that are devoted to providing you data-based audits of your site. Their goal is to emphasize the specific challenges that are bottlenecking your SEO,and ultimately to help you overcome these challenges.

Many of the auto accidents occurring on the road today can be attributed to reckless driving. Speeding,driving while intoxicated,tailgating and texting while driving are all prime examples of reckless driving. If you’re the victim of an accident due to reckless driving,you can sue the driver at fault to recuperate your losses with legal help from a -. Here are a few reasons to consider the option of suing for a car accident caused by reckless driving.

The Accident Caused Personal Injuries

If you suffered injuries in the accident requiring extensive medical care,you can sue the at-fault driver to help cover medical costs. Your injuries could keep you from working,resulting in loss of income or inability to care for your family. Some injuries are evident right away while others start manifesting themselves weeks or months after the accident. Suing the insurer of the driver at fault provides you with funds to help cover medical expenses,lost wages,household help,etc.,until you recover. Working with a qualified- can be helpful in getting a satisfactory settlement for a reckless driving lawsuit.

Your Vehicle Suffered Extensive Damage

Obtaining funds to repair or replace your vehicle is yet another reason for suing for a car accident caused by reckless driving. If your vehicle is a total loss,suing for damages can provide you with funds to replace your vehicle so you don’t have to do without. Most insurers would rather settle a claim than go to court for a lawsuit. This gives you leverage in recuperating your losses. When suing for property damages,be sure to include expensive accessories within your vehicle as well if they were damaged in the accident such as audio system,DVD player,etc.

Suing for a car accident caused by reckless driving is a means of getting compensation for your losses. An experienced- can help you file a successful lawsuit that will yield the results you want.

So,you are in the market for some types of vinyl signs but are confused about where to look. Well look no further as soon all of your questions shall be answered. Your best bet is to ask around and see who family and friends or even acquaintances have used in the past for their sign needs. See if they had any problems,if they found the company reliable,and if they felt their pricing was fair. Word of mouth is any businesses best friend and they love referrals. With many companies relying more on out of the box advertising methods,these types of signs are gaining popularity.

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Vinyl signs include magnetic signs,banners,and even vinyl decals. They are all in the same family and can easily be ordered online in addition to purchasing them at your local sign shop. The great thing about these signs is that they can be used both indoors as well as out,they are reusable,they last a long time,they require no installation,and they are affordable. They also come in various colors and sizes. Most vinyl signs are created by using digital printers and screen printers. When you are comparing prices you need to be aware of the fact that for this particular business,speaking solely about vinyl signs,not electric or any other type,companies do not use a cost based approach. Although the materials for vinyl signs is cheap enough and the labor does not require too much effort,the initial cost of the machine that helps to create them in extremely expensive and this is why the pricing strategy is the way that it is.

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Whether you decide to shop online or in person you will be able to view some of the samples that are available and often you can see an image in advance of what your signs will look like. Without someone guiding you in the right direction you really have no way to know for certain if the company that you are about to conduct business with is a good company or a bad one. You can call the Better Business Bureau of your area and see if there are any negative ratings about the company that you are contemplating doing business with. You can shop around and make some price comparisons to see if the pricing for their signs are comparable.

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Sign companies know that it is extremely important to begin the customer relationship with your first purchase and they want you to prosper as much as you want to prosper as that means more work for them as you expand. So be wise but do not be cheap because remember you get what you pay for.

There is quite a bit that you need to learn when it comes to roofing.How often do you need to have your gutters supposed to be cleaned out? When do you need to hire a roofer? This article has the roofing advice you need all of this information in detail. Read on to learn some really great tips.

When you are selecting a roofer,check with family,friends and co-workers first. Ask how well contractors cleaned when they finished the clean-up job and if warranties are offered.

Make sure that the roofing contractor you hire has experience. You might consider asking family and friends for you. This is crucial since having terrible repairs done can cost you want to avoid poor roofing work that could be expensive later on.

Don’t go up on your roof during wet weather.A wet roof could cause you to fall; this may result in a bad injury or worse. If you are performing your own roof repair,do it when it’s dry and sunny.

Mow your lawn prior to having a contractor work on your roof is replaced. This helps make it easier time locating nails that fall on the ground so you can pick them up later.If your roofer has a magnetic nail locator,cut grass can also help.

Make sure your homework is done when looking for a roofing contractor. Don’t simply hire the cheapest contractor you locate.

Don’t get discouraged if you’re unable to locate the source of a leak is originating from. You are going to find the problem,and having a buddy will help as well.If you are dealing with a roof that’s on a large home,talk to your helper by cell phone when you test various areas to avoid excess water from getting into the house.

Ask the roofing contractors how long their company has been in business. Those who’ve been around in the area for a long time likely provide customer satisfaction. Anyone that is new to this could be a scam artist who runs away with your money.

Think about selecting architectural shingles on your new roof. They’re more attractive and last a long time.

A living roof allows you to grow plants and flowers.

Ask any contractor you are considering what associations the company is a part of. The top contractors join industry groups to stay informed on the latest trends and improvements to standard techniques. Not being an association member may signal a lack of dedication,and not as concerned with quality as you want him to be.

If you’re having a hard time locating a leak,try spraying it with a garden hose. This might help you know if you have a leak and also where the leak is located. This is more cost effective than hiring an expert.

OSHA dictates that roofing contractors to have safety plans in order. This will ensure that the proper manner.

Always inspect the condition of roofing materials that are being used to repair or replace your house. Be sure that you’re paying attention to what you’re doing at all stages of the work.

Always be wary of the weather whenever you do any roofing work. While rain is weather you need to avoid,you should also be cautious of strong winds.

Not all roofers are equal in skill,so select yours carefully. Do not just go based on their advertisement. Word of mouth can be the superior kind of a reputable business.Check out reviews online and talk with your friends.Check local consumer agencies to see if they have a good reputation. Choosing a poor contractor can be very costly.

If the weather does not cooperate,wait. Fixing your home is never worth the injury you might receive by going out in bad weather. You need to know exactly what to do and know about what you are doing.

Don’t ever work on a roof by yourself.

Do not just assume that you need a new roof. Call a roofer and let them look at your roof before you invest any money.

Don’t be intimidated by the subject of roofing. The tips in this piece can be very helpful in any number of situations. If you need to look for more information or stay with what you just learned,you should be good to go. Use these tips to your advantage to save both money and time.

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You already know that lots of people think that it is hard for men to buy accessories. This isn’t technically true. This isn’t true at all. The truth is that men don’t have a hard time shopping for accessories like men’s watches. It is the sheer number of choices available that makes it difficult to shop for men’s watches. Not only are there hundreds of different kinds of watches,there are hundreds of places to buy those watches. So how do find the watch you want the most? How are you supposed to find someplace to buy men’s watches? We know that you are enjoying all that is offered about click here. We really had to pare down a lot of content to squeeze so much into this,but we are not done by any means. Of course not absolutely everything will be used today by you,and that is normal and quite typical. That can sometimes be a mistake because on closer observation you will often change your mind. It is hardly ever a good idea to maintain a closed mind about anything,and that has served us very well. So just keep going forward with the second part,and there will be more solid information that you can do some good things with. So,if you think that you will not be able to remember it all,you can and we have confidence that it will gel with some helpful tips to follow. Online retailers can often offer you the best deals for men’s watches. This is because online retailers do not have to pay for a brick and mortar store or employees who work in it so they are able to offer discounts that a traditional retailer can’t. There are also lots of websites that are devoted to collecting discount codes that are used by the major online retailers. The only problem with buying a watch online is that you don’t get a chance to put it on or to see for yourself that it’s in good working condition. If you buy online,then,first check that the retailer has a good reputation and offers to refund or exchange any product that doesn’t work. Then you can at least return the watch if you find it doesn’t fit or if it doesn’t work the way it should. When shopping for a watch do you stick with a certain brand? If you do prefer a certain brand of watch,head to their website or try their retail outlets. Here’s a hint: online brand sites are usually cheaper than retail outlets. The store may not offer the same discounts as you can get by purchasing online. If you don’t mind doing a bit of Google digging you can usually find discount codes for these sites. But be sure to double check their return policy to verify that you can get a full refund for your watch. For anyone in the market for one of the higher end men’s watches,a jewelry store may be the best place to shop. You can,of course,go into a jewelry store for rings,pendants and earrings,but they sell other items as well. Watches are also sold there. Very high end watches,like Rolexes and other types of watches,are best bought through a jeweler or jewelry store. When you shop at such places,you have more assurance that they will stand behind the watch with a strong warranty and maintenance plan. At least then you will be assured of quality service if your watch isn’t working properly. Men’s watches don’t have to be hard to find. You can shop for men’s watches without any serious hurdles. You don’t have to shop for men’s watches any differently than you would shop for any other item. You research the product you want to buy. Once you’ve zeroed in on the watch that you want,you then go out and locate the best possible deal you can get on it. So it really isn’t fundamentally different from shopping for any other product.

Believe it or not,deaf people are able to enjoy music and singing along to songs whether it’s due to modern technology allowing them to hear at least some of the tune and lyrics or whether it’s because sign language videos are now so readily available online. Here are 5 songs which are well suited to deaf people who want to enjoy karaoke either by singing out loud or using sign language. For more information – -

1) ‘Firework’ by Katy Perry :

This catchy song is a great choice for deaf people who either want to sing along or use sign language during a karaoke session. This is because it’s a very expressive song which lends itself well to sign language and an ASL video is already available here. If people wish to sing along instead,it is easy as there is a lot of repetition and a variety of sounds in the chorus. It is also an empowering song for anyone suffering from a disability.

2) ‘Iris’ by Goo Goo Dolls:

This beautiful song lends itself well to deaf karaoke. This is because it is slow and so there is plenty of time to keep up with the song whilst using sign language. An ASL video can be found here. It is also well suited to a deaf person wanting to sing out loud because the range of the notes in the song is small for both the verses and the chorus. It is also a song about invisibility and sometimes those with a disability can feel this way and so it is easy to identify with the lyrics,especially as it mentions other senses without actually mentioning hearing,for example,the lyrics talk about taste and sight.

3) ‘Just the Way You Are’ by Bruno Mars :

This song is another good choice for sign language karaoke and an ASL video has been created here. In terms of singing along,this song is also suitable because although the verses are quite fast-paced,they contain repetition and the chorus slows down significantly. The message that someone is perfect just the way they are will also resonate with anyone suffering from a disability as it is full of acceptance and love. -

4) ‘Pump it’ by The Black Eyed Peas:

For a more upbeat song,this is a great choice for either signing or singing out loud because the lyrics are so short and repetitive,making it a fun and highly energetic song to sing. An ASL video can be found here and it’s a very relevant song for deaf people as it’s all about turning the volume up louder!

5) ‘Let It Be’ by The Beatles :

The lyrics of this song are very straightforward and the note range is not very large or complex. It is slow and so it’s not hard to keep up with and again,it involves a lot of repetition,mainly the title of the song. It is a beautiful song about surrendering,being positive and letting go which is what people with disabilities have to do in order to live enriching lives despite their circumstances. An ASL video for this song can be found here.

More information about helping improving your voice: -

In today’s society,technology makes it much simpler to change paper documents into digital files that may be stored effectively in the cloud or on your PC. However,you will still find instances when a paper document is usually necessary. The two of these formats have disadvantages and advantages. This post will provide facts about the various advantages and disadvantages of paper and digital mapping.

1. Digital Mapping

Accessing Documents Quickly While Out And About

Digital documents have two main benefits: quick access and retrieval. Unlike their paper counterparts that require manual access as well as a good memory to remember where situations are placed,digital files might be retrieved utilising keywords. The keywords are useful simply because they can be found in either the title or content,regardless of where the document is found.

Using cloud storage,documents can be simply retrieved from office computers and cellular devices thereby,offering flexibility of access. It really is for that reason that digital is the preferred format by work teams. An example is organisational records,for example customer information,that needs to be shared among many people within a geographically diverse work group for that project to be successful.

Increased Storage Space

Obviously,paper documents will take up space. Unfortunately,today’s work environments do not possess space to spare in which the norm is shared space for working groups. With physical space being limited,but the cost of electronic storage becoming cheaper,it seems sensible that one would use digital technology to hold digital mapping documents. Scanners could be used to turn paper documents into digital files and set them in ‘the cloud’.

2. Paper Documents

Confidentiality Issues

While confidentiality issues will not be highly significant while using geographical documents,it will arise when organising the legal and financial facets of client information. Using online information,for example emailing digital documentation,is not always totally secure therefore,attaching digital map data to a email can place the information at an increased risk. It is essential to place simple passwords around the document before opening it,and you ought to share the password verbally to the recipient.

Here is where paper documentation can be a benefit. Not simply is sensitive information kept confidential,nevertheless the hard copies are simpler to manage coming from a security perspective.

A Dependable Source

Despite the digital map resource being convenience,paper maps might be more reliable. Consider the situation – when you are visiting a remote location in which the internet access is poor,it is recommended that you have hard copies available. A paper document will not need reliable internet access to work,and it is accessible to pass around for all people in the group. It may be old-fashioned,but the antiquated methods have their benefits.

No Need To Backup

Digital documents,including digital maps,require electronic backups to make sure you possess the documents available when going to different locations. Failing to backup the documents might be disastrous! A paper map or document is more reliable mainly because it does not require backups,although extra copies of your item won’t go amiss.

Final Words

As can be seen,both paper and digital mapping have benefits however,they also have factors why they can be disadvantageous. Using the information above,you are able to determine which option is suited to suit your needs.

For more information on digital maps,please see this -.

We all try to abide by the law in any way that we can,but we are far from perfect people and sometimes we slip up from time to time. Sometimes we are charged with a misdemeanor,but if it’s a serious situation,a felony might be in the mix. If this is the case,it is extremely vital that you find the best lawyer that you can to try and plead your case for you. Courtroom litigation is a delicate process,especially in Destin,and no two cases are the same. A good -can adapt to your case and do the best that they can to ensure that you are getting the best possible outcome. There are arguments to be made,and factors to consider,for every case,and you want to make sure that the right ones are being made on your behalf.

What a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Do for You

A criminal defense lawyer is vital for anyone that is being tried for a crime in Destin,here are some reasons why:

• Plea Bargain: Many times,the prosecuting attorney and the defense attorney will negotiate a potential plea bargain for the accused. Typically,it involves a reduced sentence with reduced charges,and it might be your best bet to get a judgment in your favor. Prosecutors are much more willing to negotiate with a defense lawyer than with a defendant themselves,and there are times when it can be bargained. You need a defense lawyer that knows their craft inside and out to be able to effectively negotiate with the prosecuting attorney.
• Favorable Sentencing Program:If you happen to have a guilty verdict come your way,it is not always cut and dry what your sentence will be. A good attorney can plea for a favorable sentence on your behalf,based on a variety of different factors of your case. They can effectively ask for things like rehabilitation,or a probationary period,in place of prison time. If there is any chance that you could not half to spend time in prison,it will be worth your while to find a defense attorney that can make that happen for you.
• Managing Emotions: Sometimes,a verdict can be determined by the emotional state of the defendant,especially in cases of a jury trial. A defense lawyer can help you manage your emotions because chances are you will go through a lot of them throughout the length of the trial. It is not uncommon for depression,anger,embarrassment,or low self-esteem to rear its ugly head during the trial,and you need to be able to keep those emotions in check. A defense lawyer can show you how to do just that.
• Reality Check: We all like to feel like the best outcome possible will happen for us during a trial. Unfortunately,this isn’t always the case. A good defense lawyer will let you know the reality of the situation and explain to you what you can expect during the length of the trial,including the possible verdict. A Destin lawyer will remain objective,and have the experience to know what to expect from a trial,and whether it will be in your best interest to take a plea bargain.
• Knowing the Law: There are a lot of laws on the books,and unless you study them on a regular basis,it is impossible to know them all. The last thing you want to do is represent yourself poorly,by breaking a law that you knew nothing about during the trial. A competent attorney has experience with trial law and knows exactly how to conduct themselves in front of a judge or possible jury.

Make Sure You are Well Represented

There is no better way to make sure that you are being represented in a court of law the way you should be,than by finding the best criminal defense lawyer that you can to speak for you. It can literally be a lifesaver and might be the difference between spending time in prison or getting an outcome in your favor. If you are charged with a crime in Destin,FL,make sure you are getting the best criminal defense attorney that you can.

It appears like rules are everywhere. When you were young,your parents set rules like “bedtime is at 8” or “you can just eat cookies on Fridays.” Now that you’re an adult,you can eat cookies whenever you desire,and nobody can tell you no.
You’re still following guidelines. You probably are believing about the laws put in location. Yes,you can’t do anything to overcome those guidelines,however I’m speaking of different guidelines.
The rules I’m discussing are fictional. They don’t exist. In truth,you’re the one that set them in the first location somewhere along the method.
Today,we’re going to break those rules and replace them with some rules that will really get you to your objectives. As part of a bigger series,today,we’re going to take a look at guidelines 2,3,and 4.

Read more from John Sage sales and marketing

Guideline Two: There are no guidelines besides those you pick to follow

Continuing from Guideline One,you do not require to have rules in life. If you desire,you can throw them out the window and invest your money on whatever. Nevertheless,this isn’t always the most suggested lifestyle,so it’s finest to have some rules to follow.
However,it’s on you to set those guidelines. You can’t let anybody else do it for you. We’re most likely to follow rules that we’ve set for ourselves since we understand that they’re there for a purpose– not “simply because.”
You require to evaluate these rules to make certain that they remain in fact helpful. If not,get rid of them. In the world of property investment,you can’t hold yourself back if you do not require to.

Rule 3: You get what you choose

In everything in life,we wind up settling for less than what we want. I have actually seen it time and time once again,and if I weren’t too busy focusing on my own objectives,I ‘d probably feel bad for these people. But the truth is,you’ll get just what you opt for. Here’s an example of this rule at work:
Let’s state your net worth is $100,000. You ‘d rather it be $1,000,000. You choose that you need to find methods to make that additional cash. At the exact same time,the thought of losing your $100,000 seems unbearable,and you ‘d much rather secure what you have then make the additional money.
You’re going for $100,000. On the other hand,if it is just inappropriate for you to only have $100,000,you’re unhappy with settling,and you’ll do whatever it requires to turn that into $1,000,000. If you do not go for less,the latter of the two circumstances is most likely to happen.

Guideline Four: Anything you desire in life is possible if you are willing to do what it takes

Let me be clear– I’m not proposing you abandon all ethics or morals and end up being a callous,money-hungry individual. Rather,I want you to consider what you really want in life. Whether that suggests you want to double your net worth in the next six months or conserve enough for a holiday with the household,you require to be ready to do the effort and make your objectives take place.

Stay Tuned

The rules of the game do not end there. Follow me on social media and maintain to date with this blog to read the next guidelines. www.johnsage.com.au

So,you’ve decided your business or institution will be well served by adding a new digital signage network. Now what?

Where to turn and what to do can be confusing,especially if you’re responsible for your organization’s communications or IT department,but don’t really know anything about a digital sign. While there are many good companies in business to help you achieve your goals,you can make the endeavor easier and far more successful if you avoid the problems many before you have encountered when rolling out and maintaining their digital signage networks.

Having worked with hundreds of customers on their digital signage needs,we’ve seen a lot of difficulties that could easily have been avoided -along with the associated delays and added expense- with a little knowledge up front. As the saying goes,forewarned is forearmed. So,keep these Top 10 Pitfalls in mind as you plan your new network to make the experience smooth and rewarding.

No. 1: Lack of a clear purpose

Someone in your organization,has read digital signage can make marketing messaging more effective. It can reach potential customers at the point of purchase,promote desired behavior,target different demographic groups associated with different times of the day,and do so many wonderful things.

But what exactly does your organization need to accomplish with it? That’s the seminal question. Without clearly defining the purpose of a digital signage network,it is impossible to find success in any phase of its deployment or use.

Taking the time up front to define the expectations for the system and write them out on paper for the approval of key management will provide direction and focus effort on attainable goals. Struggling to fulfill a nebulous purpose for the flat-panel sign network will rack up unnecessary expense and leave everyone connected with the project frustrated.

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No. 2: Taking on digital signage as an IT project

“Digital signage network,” the very words sound IT oriented. While there’s a lot of IT technology involved with it,taking it on as an IT project is dangerous.

While highly skilled,the typical IT manager does not have the background nor the experience needed to roll out a successful digital sign network. There’s a powerful temptation on the part of IT managers to look at dynamic signage playback as if it were a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation. It isn’t.

PowerPoint does an excellent job at making business presentations,but how many TV stations rely on PowerPoint to create and playback the programs,commercials,news and promotions you see nightly? Exactly zero. With respect to playing back video,graphics,text and animation,layering multiple visual elements and building and maintaining a playout schedule,a sign network is much more like a TV station than a boardroom with a projector and a PowerPoint presentation. Keep that in mind if an IT manager volunteers to take on your organization’s project.

No. 3: Lack of content

Congratulations. You have a digital signage network. What are you going to display? Having a network without content is like having a newspaper without print. There’s just a whole lot of nothing and overwhelming sense of emptiness.

Communicating in some form must be part of the reason behind the decision to add a sign network. However,there is no communication without content. Fortunately,many organizations have existing resources to draw upon that can be repurposed as digital signage content. Logos,commercials,promotional video,print advertising,plans and drawings can all be reused in whole or part to communicate a message on a sign network.

Additionally,RSS Internet feeds are a tremendous resource for updating a sign network with fresh “newsy” content,weather and sports scores that can give an audience a reason to take a second or third look.

Regardless of where it comes from,content is critical to the success of a sign network. Knowing where it will come from is as important as actually having the network in place.

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No. 4: No one assigned to manage the project

While it’s not like designing the International Space Station,putting a digital signage network in place can be a complex undertaking. For that reason,it’s essential that any business or organization taking on a sign network assign someone to manage the project. Having an individual identified to own the project will minimize the impact of the unforeseen problems that inevitably creep into any complex undertaking.

Just as bad as having no one assigned to manage the project is its closely related cousin: management by committee. Offering up conflicting directions from multiple individuals will leave your system integrator bewildered and your project incomplete.

No. 5: No one to update content

While RSS feeds and subscriptions to news wire services are two sources of fresh information for a digital signage network,where will updated content conveying your company’s specific messages and current offerings come from?

A dynamic sign network that attracts attention has an insatiable appetite for fresh content. Thus,it’s essential that an organization taking on a sign network assign a qualified,competent person to the task of creating that content. Without someone in charge of the network’s content,the text,graphics and video being displayed will soon grow tired. Stale content will have the opposite of the desired result for a digital sign. It actually will drive viewers away and impart a sense of “been there,done that” that will be difficult to reverse.

No. 6: Taking the cheap way out

There’s nothing wrong with being budget conscious about a digital signage installation; however,selecting products,including displays,controllers and software,and services like content creation solely on their price tag can result in a system that in the long wrong will cost an organization dearly.

Systems designed solely on the price of the component miss the point. Digital sign networks are about communicating information -perhaps a marketing message,maps and directions or instructions- to their intended audience. Spending money on an inexpensive system just because it’s cheap could cost a business or organization far more than the money saved in lost opportunities.

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No. 7: Not knowing the locations of the signs

Knowing where your organization wants to locate the flat panel monitors in its digital signage network is important for a few reasons. First,locating the digital sign media players needed depends on where the sign or signs it’s controlling are located. The length of cable runs between player and sign must be taken into account. Clearly defining the location of the signs will allow you to minimize construction/renovation expense and avoid paying for “do overs.”

Second,understanding exactly where the signs will be positioned will make it easier to understand what will be needed to mount the flat panels in use. Are wall studs available where a sign will be located? Or,will a freestanding structure be required? What’s the condition of the wall studs? Is electrical power available? What’s the status of ambient light sources? Will a window or skylight need to be shaded to reduce glare?

Third,not knowing where the signs need to located may be a symptom of a bigger problem,namely not having a clear idea about the purpose of the digital signage installation.

No. 8: Installers without general contractor capability

Installing digital signage can be messy. Drywall and plaster may need to be cut. New electrical plugs with isolated grounds may need to be installed. Beyond those obvious construction challenges,less apparent structural modifications may be required. Those can vary from relocating HVAC ducts to re-enforcing walls.

For that reason,choosing a digital signage installer without the skill and experience to serve as a general contractor for the project can be a big mistake. Depending on the specific installation,it’s not unreasonable to assume carpenters,electricians,plumbers and even heating and cooling contractors might need to be involved to make necessary structural modifications. Having an installer who can serve as a general contractor to bring those diverse resources together and manage them properly can save lots of time and expense.

No. 9: Failing to allot adequate time to learn the system

Far too often,the people responsible for new digital signage installations at businesses or organizations are so excited about their systems that they can’t wait to show them off to upper management. After all,a significant sum of money went in to making the digital sign network a reality. So showing it off as soon as possible only seems natural.

However,creating content for a system,scheduling it and making changes to playback along the way require some skill. It takes time to be properly trained to use a sign network. Failing to allocate sufficient time to learn how to use the system not only could be embarrassing in front of management,but disastrous to your communications efforts with the general public,if they’re your first audience.

No. 10: Failing to keep future expansion in mind at the time of initial design

Designing yourself into a box when first contemplating a digital signage network can be costly. Without casting an eye towards future needs,it’s possible that portions of the network might need replacement before they’ve been amortized to accommodate expansion.

Without exception,experience shows that businesses and organizations that fund the addition of digital sign networks express interest in expanding their systems after they’re installed.

Take these lessons to heart as you proceed with your digital sign rollout,and you’re much more likely to have a successful experience. More importantly,your company or institution will avoid costly mistakes that will delay the installation and prevent your communications from having their desired effect.