Looking to drive engagement within your community? From school teachers and community managers to office managers and HR leaders, everyone is on the lookout for new and improved ways to keep their people informed and engaged. These days, most people are focusing on the latest digital tools for communication and connectivity. But…
Guess what?
Sometimes the solution is staring you right in the face. It’s true that traditional bulletin boards are one of the oldest pieces of technology in the communications arsenal. But they’re also one of the most powerful engagement tools in your toolbox.
The problem is that:
Bulletins are too often seen as an afterthought. Digital is faster, right? Most people don’t realize that 86% of employees are pointing to a lack of clear communication as the leading cause of workplace failures—despite all our high-tech tools.
The reality is that traditional bulletin boards work because they solve an underlying problem in a way that digital technology doesn’t.
In this post, we’ll cover:
- Why Traditional Bulletin Boards Still Matter
- The Science Behind Physical Bulletin Boards
- 7 Proven Steps for Achieving Maximum Engagement
- Setting Your Bulletin Board Up For Success
Why Traditional Bulletin Boards Still Matter
Traditional bulletin boards aren’t going anywhere.
Here’s why:
Bulletin boards establish what digital communication can’t. Physical presence. A sense of community. Places where people like to congregate, or where they are required to pass by regularly. Whatever the case, when they are done right, people are naturally drawn to well-executed bulletin boards.
Unlike a text-heavy email string that no one will read or an important notification buried in an app no one will check, bulletin boards demand attention and engagement. You can’t swipe past them, delete them, or forget to read them. They’re right there in your line of sight.
Let’s be real…
When was the last time you walked by a colorful, well-curated bulletin board and didn’t at least glance at it? Exactly.
This is the power of physical presence in an otherwise digital world.
The Science Behind Physical Bulletin Boards
Fun fact: studies show that physical displays drive deeper levels of engagement than digital versions. There is something about static, visual information that human brains process and remember differently.
Traditional bulletin boards take advantage of something psychologists call “spatial memory.” When a person sees content in a fixed physical space, the brain not only remembers the content of the message, but also WHERE they saw the message. This dual encoding allows the brain to remember the information long after a digital or spoken message is gone.
Bonus:
It’s not just about individual messages. Bulletin boards also provide social proof. When we see the contributions of others posted for the world to see, it encourages us to participate and contribute as well.
Companies that invest in improved communication strategies experience a 72% boost in productivity. Bulletin boards have a lot to do with that success.
7 Proven Steps for Achieving Maximum Engagement
Ready to level-up your bulletin board from meh to magnificent? Here are the real tactics that work:
Make It Interactive
Effective bulletin boards aren’t static. They encourage participation.
Add elements that allow the audience to contribute or interact:
- Question of the week
- Community goal tracker
- Suggestion box
- Photo contest
Use Strategic Placement
The old real estate adage is true: location is everything.
Place your bulletin board where you know people will naturally stop:
- By the elevators or entrance
- Coffee station
- Outside meeting rooms or classrooms
- In the waiting room
Create Visual Hierarchy
Not all content is created equal.
Use design principles to prioritize information:
- Bold headers for critical announcements
- Bright colors for urgent information
- Consistent formatting for regular updates
- White space to reduce visual clutter
Rotate Content Regularly
Content that gets stale creates engagement that gets cold.
Schedule updates:
- Daily for urgent announcements
- Weekly for general updates
- Monthly for featured content
- Seasonally for decorative elements
Fresh content = frequent visits.
Encourage Community Contributions
The best bulletin boards feel like a community project.
Provide opportunities for audience participation:
- Employee spotlights/achievements
- Community event calendar
- Local business partnerships
- Volunteer opportunities
Value = participation.
Use Quality Materials
Cheap bulletin boards send the message that what you have to say isn’t important.
Invest in:
- Durable backing material
- Weather-resistant materials for outdoor boards
- Professional fonts and layouts
- Protective sleeves for important documents
Presentation matters.
Measure and Improve
Pay attention to what works and what doesn’t.
Track:
- Which posts spark the most conversation
- Frequency of reads vs. removal
- Response to different types of announcements
- Design elements that attract the eye
Use this data to tweak and optimize.
Setting Your Bulletin Board Up For Success
A successful bulletin board isn’t rocket science, but it does require planning and forethought.
Begin with purpose:
Ask: what do you want your board to accomplish? Community building? Sharing information? Promoting events? Whatever the goal, it should guide all other decisions.
Plan your layout:
Divide your board into distinct sections:
- Urgent announcements
- Regular updates
- Community contributions
- Contact information
Establish maintenance routines:
Assign someone to manage the board on a regular basis. Maintenance is the difference between a great bulletin board and an empty mess.
Create submission guidelines:
Make it easy for people to contribute content:
- Size requirements
- Approval process
- Designated drop off location
- Contact information
Making Digital and Physical Work Together
Here’s a secret most people don’t know…
The most effective communication strategies use BOTH digital and physical elements together. Use your bulletin board to direct people to digital resources:
- QR codes for extended content
- Social media hashtags for community discussion
- Website links for sign-ups or registration
- Email addresses for follow-up questions
Combine the best of both worlds for maximum engagement.
Mistakes to Avoid
The following pitfalls can kill the effectiveness of your bulletin board:
Information overload: When there’s too much content, people get overwhelmed. Keep it focused and scannable.
Inconsistent updates: Lack of regular maintenance creates apathy. Stick to your schedule.
Poor organization: Randomly placed content is confusing. Use clear sections and visual hierarchy.
Ignoring feedback: When people contribute or make suggestions, respond.
Wrapping It All Together
Bulletin boards aren’t going anywhere because they solve an underlying problem in ways digital tools just can’t match.
We live in a digital world. But the need for connection, information, and community isn’t changing. Bulletin boards provide that. They’re tangible, impossible to ignore, and naturally encourage two-way communication.
So, the question isn’t “Should I use a bulletin board?” The real question is, “How do I make the most of my bulletin board?”
The solution is to treat your bulletin board like the communication tool it is. Invest time and resources in it and actively use it to engage the community around you.
You’ll see it change. When done right, your bulletin board will become the heartbeat of your community communication strategy. The place where information flows, engagement happens, and community connections are made.
And guess what?
Your community is waiting for it.