“Carry-Over” Expectations

All our visitors "carry over" expectations from their lives into our exhibitions.

Are we actually meeting those expectations?

For example, 100% of our visitors use their phones dozens of times on the same day of a visit. Here are some of the "carry over" expectations this creates:

1. Video Length
Visitors are used to short, engaging videos. If our exhibition videos are long or slow, people lose interest.

2. Text Quantity
People prefer short messages in daily life. If we use long paragraphs in exhibitions, visitors often skip them.

3. Speed
Phones load things right away. If there’s any delay or downtime in an exhibition, visitors see it as a problem.

4. Personalization
People expect content that feels personal. When exhibitions are the same for everyone, they don’t measure up.

5. Choice & Control
Visitors expect to choose, skip, and navigate. Non-skippable experiences can feel frustrating.

6. Visual Polish
People are used to great design on their phones. Poor graphics in exhibitions stand out right away.

7. Social Sharing
Phones make sharing easy. If exhibitions don’t offer ways to share, they can feel out of touch.

Here’s the thing:

Our visitors “carry over” expectations from their lives into our exhibitions. Just in the realm of technology alone, there are many.

Are we meeting those expectations?

Warmly,
Jonathan

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MtM Word of the Day:
Pop-up exhibition. A temporary, short-term museum display set up quickly in a non-traditional or flexible space. Designed for accessibility and mobility, pop-ups can raise awareness and reach new audiences without permanent infrastructure.