Some DAM Data
defining success in a world without enough metrics
For an art kid, it might be surprising that I love data. Maybe because cold, hard facts are a refreshing change from subjective, interpretive opinions? Something about a chart, map, or grid can help clarify results. When combined with enough experience to interpret the facts and storytelling skills to explain them, data is invaluable.
DAM runs on metadata, so it shouldn’t surprise any of us to think of data as valuable. What are some reports and stats that have shown the value of your DAM?
Number of assets
Month-over-month growth
Number of users
Percentage change in usage
Increased sales (generally E-com only)
Reduced time-to-market
User satisfaction
Hours saved
Number of downloads
Site visits
Page time
Search behavior
Storage capability
Approval process review - especially to discover bottlenecks
Campaign overviews by project, date, author or other metadata field filter
Survey responses (vital for text-field responses including areas of growth, suggestions for change, and other subjective thoughts)
Video engagement
Number of uploads
New languages or regions supported
I assume each of us has more DAM-specific data to source depending on our needs. If everything is running smoothly, you might not hear much about it unless you decide to make an effort to show the value of the DAM. Running reports can empower DAM managers with the ROI fuel needed to ask for more - team members, budget, tech integrations - and resist cuts to existing resources while it can guide your content strategy.
How can an art kid integrate both sides of their brain, and marry the creative with the concrete? Storytelling. Numbers don't speak for themselves, but they can be powerful storytellers in the right hands. Just like an artist uses color and composition to evoke emotions, an analyst can use data to tell a compelling narrative. By interpreting trends and insights, we can explain the "why" behind the "what," making data not just informative, but engaging.
Data allows us to combine the love of logic and clarity with the creative spark. It's about taking those seemingly sterile numbers and transforming them into impactful infographics or data-driven presentations that tell the full story of your DAM. The resulting tale will tell all about how the DAM inspires collaboration, value, and continuous improvement.