Bloggers Unite! – Digital Signage Insider

One of the best parts of the industry is the collection of blogs and websites that have sprung up in the past year (present company included). Like any nascent industry, many out there are simply trying to get a share of the market by disguising a sales pitch with insight.

“Here are the top reasons you need to understand the next wave of digital signage. And here are the top 10 reasons Doohickeymakers Incorporated is the best solution for the top 10 reasons you need to understand the next wave of digital signage.”

But there are a few out there that are rock-solid blogs with insight, passion, and an objective view of the industry. Most of us (if not all of us) work for someone else, and it’s darn near impossible to keep the goods from creeping in every now and then, but there is a difference between promoting products or services and promoting thought.

Over the next few months, I’d like to introduce you to some blogs that I follow. Some are endemic to digital signage, some are about branding, some are about marketing, and some are just great to read. But they all provide me with insight that I take with me into this industry every day.

Without further ado:

The first one on my list is Bill Gerba. Depending on what crowd you prowl with, you may hear adjectives like sage, godfather, etc. All true. When I started out in this industry, I was shown Bill Gerba’s blog and have made very effort to never miss a post, even going back and reading stuff before I knew what I was doing.

Who is Bill?
Bill is the CEO of Wirespring Technologies, a hardware and software provider for clients that utilize digital signage and kiosks in a variety of sectors, such as restaurants, banks, retail, and healthcare.

What does he write?
He writes the Digital Signage Insider Blog. You can find articles posted weekly either from Bill himself or a team of bloggers he incorporates who provide articles with as much passion and insight as Bill.

Why should I read him?
Because he’s one of the smartest people you will meet in this industry. Every time I read/see/hear him, he exposes his thorough knowledge on the subject and its relationship to the industry as a whole. Don’t let his affiliation with a technical company fool you. His perspective and understanding on the aesthetics of digital signage are examples that I, along with many colleagues, follow on a regular basis.

What does he write about?
He writes about everything that involves digital signage, from audience measurement, to the physical implementation of screens, to the technical detail that goes into it. He brings a conversational tone to his pieces that make his point easy to understand.

What should I read?
Here are three articles that can give you a great idea of Bill’s perspective and understanding of the industry:

Choosing the Best Digital Signage Providers: SaaS vs Self-Hosted July 9, 2009
The Software-as-a-Service debate has been gaining steam, and is something that all companies with digital signage will have to deal with. Even as a software provider, he avoids using the debate as self-promotion and gives an insider’s perspective on whether or not SaaS is right for the client. A must read if you are thinking about this for your network.

Making great digital signage content: A quick reference guide May 23, 2008
This should be required reading for anyone getting into the industry. Bill provides several content guidelines that, if followed, will have you creating much more engaging content. I know this. I have used these principles before.

A Sound Approach to Digital Signage Audio April 29,2009
“If there was ever a subject to inspire debate among digital signage experts, sound would be it.” He’s right. Then he gives a brief and very compelling tutorial on when you should or should not use sound.

Here is where you can find a full list of his archives, dating back to early 2004. Even the stuff that is a couple of years old is still very relevant and worth the read.

Enjoy reading Bill’s stuff. You will be better for it.