Create Hype For New & Upcoming Products via Digital Signage

Launching a new product or arrival to your store is an exciting occasion! The challenge is to ensure the majority of your customer base is aware of the big event, and yet are also encouraged and excited to give it a try. Post about it online, but also use in-store messaging to raise awareness and build hype. There is no better tool to do this efficiently at a physical location than through digital signage!

Show sneak peeks

Offering a quick preview of a product before release is the best way to inspire excitement. In general, sharing glimpses of something which is in the making or coming in is exciting. The viewer attempts to fill in the gap, so there is a degree of mystery.

To maintain the mystery, give compelling but incomplete previews in these sneak peeks. Show only certain parts of a product. A prime example of a good sneak peek campaign was made by Volkswagen on TikTok when they unveiled the Golf GTI Edition 50. They showed older models across the years, leading to the latest edition but not fully unveiling its outline.

Mystery is truly a great tool, but it’s not the only one. Sneak peeks are effective even if the full product is depicted, especially when it comes to functionality of newer product variations. Within sneak peeks, always have a highlight moment to focus the content on. This could be the date of release, the price, or new features. 

At the end of the day, it’s important to meet expectations, so never make the content misleading, as it could weaken your future campaigns.

Use social media for real-time buzz

Promoting upcoming products is a good opportunity to tie in your in-store and online customers. Create a quick preview of the product to hype up the viewer, then link your socials where you tell them to visit your business online for more information.

Invite users online to share their opinions and expectations. If the products coming up are a mystery, ask users to share their guesses. All this data is a great source of content to include in your social media walls to create hype at the physical location. 

Create teasers with QR-codes

QR-codes are useful for quick and easy engagement. We often mention them as they fit into so many different contexts. Product launches are just the example where quick engagement comes in handy. Above we mentioned social media. QR-codes can direct users to your socials more directly without any typing prone for misspelling. They could also guide users to a landing page to learn more about the product, or even to pre-order it.

Keep in mind that QR-codes are not limited to digital signage. Include them in any printed promotions you might have, giving you a broader and cost-free reach. 

Point out new arrivals on menu boards

New products aren’t always expensive tech gadgets or clothing styles. Sometimes, they can be as simple as a new burger special or flavor combination on a menu. In these instances, use your digital signage software features to highlight new products on the menu, inviting customers to try them out.

The Casual Menu Board is the ideal asset for this purpose. Using Data Feeds, tick the newest additions to your menu, and they will be highlighted on the side, drawing more attention. Consistent use of your menu boards in this way will build expectations, making future highlights more effective. It’s okay to highlight products which are not new as house staples, of course, so long as that bit of info is clear.

Create countdowns

A common feature and use across digital signage platforms, countdowns are an all-time favorite when it comes to building hype. Use them during countdowns for upcoming or ending sales, as well as product launches!

Build full-screen campaigns which run on occasion, ensuring the display catches the attention of your entire customer base. You can also include a small countdown in the corner of your displays to run non-stop, without interrupting your main content. Start the picture in picture approach a few days before the launch happens.

Host pre-launch events

As the product launch approaches, you really want to draw as much attention as possible to the big event. In case you host pre-launch events, use digital signage to amplify the effect. Consider general uses, such as enhancing the overall ambiance, or more specific uses such as those mentioned above, directing visitors to obtain more information or to pre-order.

For less prominent product releases, a fully dedicated pre-launch event may not be part of your plans, but you can still up the game on your digital signage. Run full-screen campaigns, and more frequently, telling users that the launch is coming. Consider implementing unique discounts or offers for the earliest of shoppers or visitors to your store. Being aware of your audience’ perspective, tweak and adjust the level of your content complexity as needed. Start experimenting right away and prepare for your next product launch with OnSign!