How to Comment

Commenting on Emanate Great displays is fun, easy, and lets you celebrate colleagues in creative ways. This guide shows you everything you need to know about leaving comments.

Quick Start

The basics take just 30 seconds:

1. Scan the QR code on any recognition display
2. Verify your email with a code
3. Write your congratulatory message
4. Choose a colorful style
5. Send - it appears on the display instantly!

Step-by-Step: Your First Comment

Step 1: Scan the QR Code

Using your phone:

1. Open your phone’s Camera app (the one you use for photos)
2. Point it at the QR code on the display
3. A notification pops up at the top of your screen
4. Tap the notification
5. Your web browser opens automatically

iPhone tip: Make sure “Scan QR Codes” is enabled in Settings → Camera

Android tip: If nothing happens, try Google Lens or download a QR scanner app

Detailed QR code help →

Step 2: Enter Your Email

Why do we need your email?

For security! This ensures only your organization’s employees can comment on your recognition displays.

What happens:

1. Type your work email address
2. Tap “Send Code”
3. Check your email inbox
4. Enter the 6-digit code you received
5. Tap “Verify”

Note: The verification code expires after 10 minutes. If it expires, just request a new one!

Didn’t get the email?

• Check your spam/junk folder
• Make sure you typed your email correctly
• Wait 1-2 minutes—some email systems are slow
• Try again with the “Resend Code” button

Step 3: Write Your Message

Tips for great comments:

• Be specific - “Your presentation skills really shone in the client meeting!” is better than “Great job!”
• Be genuine - Write what you really feel
• Be appropriate - Remember, this appears in your workplace
• Keep it concise - You have 280 characters (like a tweet)

Character counter: You’ll see how many characters you have left as you type. If you go over 280, you’ll need to trim your message.

Step 4: Choose a Comment Style

This is the fun part! Your comment can appear in one of 10 beautiful styles:

Available Styles

Classic Styles:

• Purple 💜 - Elegant purple gradient

  • Best for: Professional congratulations, formal recognition
  • Vibe: Sophisticated, polished

• Ice Blue 🧊 - Cool, crisp blue tones

  • Best for: Clean, corporate recognition
  • Vibe: Professional, fresh

• Iridescent 🌈✨ - Rainbow shimmer effect

  • Best for: Extra special celebrations
  • Vibe: Magical, standout

Warm Styles:

• Peach 🍑 - Warm, soft peach

  • Best for: Friendly appreciation, personal messages
  • Vibe: Cozy, approachable

• Orange 🧡 - Bright, energetic orange

  • Best for: Fun, upbeat celebrations
  • Vibe: Energetic, vibrant

• Sunset 🌅 - Warm orange/pink gradient

  • Best for: Evening events, special moments
  • Vibe: Romantic, beautiful

Creative Styles:

• Dreamy 💭 - Soft, ethereal pastels

  • Best for: Heartfelt, emotional messages
  • Vibe: Gentle, sincere

• Coastal 🌊 - Ocean-inspired blues

  • Best for: Relaxed, calm recognition
  • Vibe: Peaceful, refreshing

• Disco ✨ - Sparkly, dynamic colors

  • Best for: Party celebrations, team wins
  • Vibe: Fun, exciting

• Rainbow 🌈 - Full spectrum colors

  • Best for: Joyful, enthusiastic recognition
  • Vibe: Happy, celebratory

How to choose:

• Tap different styles to see a preview
• Pick the one that matches your message tone
• There’s no wrong choice—go with what feels right!

Step 5: Add a GIF (Optional)

If you see a “GIF” button, you can add an animated GIF to your comment!

How to add:

1. Tap the GIF button
2. Search for what you want (try: “congratulations,” “celebrate,” “amazing,” “awesome”)
3. Browse the results
4. Tap your favorite GIF
5. It’s added to your comment!

Popular GIF searches:

• “congratulations” - Party and celebration GIFs
• “applause” - Clapping and cheering
• “thumbs up” - Approval and encouragement
• “high five” - Team spirit and support
• “trophy” - Achievement and success
• “thank you” - Appreciation and gratitude

GIF tips:

• ✅ Choose clear, simple GIFs
• ✅ Make sure they’re workplace-appropriate
• ✅ Match the tone of your message
• ✅ Avoid overly long/complex animations
• ❌ Don’t use GIFs with text (they’re often hard to read)

Don’t see a GIF button?

GIFs may be disabled for certain recognitions. This is normal and controlled by your HR team.

Step 6: Preview and Send

Before you submit:

1. Review your message for typos
2. Check that your style looks good
3. Make sure your GIF (if added) is appropriate
4. Tap “Submit” or “Send Comment”

What happens next:

• Your comment is sent to the display
• Within 5-10 seconds, it appears on screen!
• If moderation is enabled, you’ll see a message that it’s awaiting approval

Comment Features

Real-Time Display

Your comment appears almost instantly!

After you submit, your comment goes through these steps:

1. Sent (instant)
2. Processed (1-2 seconds)
3. Displayed (3-5 seconds)

If you’re near the display, you can watch your comment appear in real-time with your chosen style and GIF!

Moderation (If Enabled)

Some organizations enable comment moderation for quality control.

What this means:

• Your comment is submitted successfully
• It’s held for review by an admin
• Once approved, it appears on displays
• You’ll see a confirmation either way

Why moderation?

• Ensures workplace appropriateness
• Maintains professional standards
• Prevents accidental errors or typos
• Gives admins control over public displays

How long does it take?

Usually within a few hours during business hours. Your HR team reviews as quickly as possible!

Multiple Comments

You can comment as many times as you want!

• Comment on multiple recognitions
• Add follow-up thoughts to the same recognition
• Respond if the person achieves something else
• Participate in every celebration

There’s no limit to spreading appreciation!

Character Limit

Maximum 280 characters (like a tweet)

Why the limit?

• Keeps comments readable on displays
• Encourages focused, meaningful messages
• Ensures comments don’t take too long to read

Tips for staying under 280:

• Be concise but specific
• Remove unnecessary words
• Use standard abbreviations if needed
• Focus on your main point

Comment Examples

For Employee of the Month

Basic:

“Congratulations! Well-deserved recognition! 🌟”

Better:

“Your positive attitude and willingness to mentor new team members makes everyone better. Congratulations on EOTM! 🌟”

Great:

“Sarah, your leadership on the website redesign project was exceptional. You kept us organized, motivated, and on track. This recognition is so well-deserved! 🎉“

For Promotions

Basic:

“Congrats on the promotion!”

Better:

“Congratulations on your well-earned promotion to Senior Manager! Excited to see what you’ll accomplish next! 🚀”

Great:

“Your promotion to Director is incredible news! Your strategic thinking and ability to build strong teams have been clear to everyone. Can’t wait to see what you’ll achieve in this new role! 🎉“

For Work Anniversaries

Basic:

“Happy work anniversary!”

Better:

“5 years of excellence! Thank you for all your contributions to our team! 🎂”

Great:

“Congratulations on 5 years with us! Your expertise in project management has elevated our entire department. Here’s to many more years of success! 🎉“

For Team Achievements

Basic:

“Great job team!”

Better:

“Amazing work on the Q4 launch! The teamwork was impressive! 💪”

Great:

“The Q4 product launch was flawless thanks to this team’s dedication and collaboration. You all went above and beyond, and it shows in our results! 🏆“

Comment Etiquette

Do’s

✅ Be sincere - Write genuine appreciation ✅ Be specific - Mention actual achievements ✅ Be timely - Comment soon after recognitions are posted ✅ Be inclusive - Celebrate colleagues across departments ✅ Be positive - Focus on encouragement and support ✅ Be professional - Remember this is your workplace ✅ Be yourself - Let your personality shine through

Don’ts

❌ Don’t write generic comments - “Good job” doesn’t feel personal ❌ Don’t make it about you - Keep focus on the person being recognized ❌ Don’t use inside jokes - Others may not understand ❌ Don’t be negative - Even constructive criticism doesn’t belong here ❌ Don’t overshare - Keep private information private ❌ Don’t use inappropriate GIFs - Stick to workplace-appropriate content ❌ Don’t comment if you can’t be genuine - It’s okay to just “like” instead

Professional Language

Remember, your comment appears on displays that:

• Employees see
• Visitors might see
• Leadership may notice
• Stay visible for hours or days

Keep it:

• Respectful
• Appropriate for all ages
• Free of slang or profanity
• Workplace-suitable

Troubleshooting Comments

”Verify Your Email”

Problem: Can’t get past the email verification step

Solutions:

• Check your email spam/junk folder
• Wait 1-2 minutes for the email to arrive
• Verify you typed your email correctly
• Try the “Resend Code” button
• Make sure you’re using your work email

”Comment Too Long”

Problem: You’re over 280 characters

Solutions:

• Look at the character counter
• Remove unnecessary words
• Break into two separate comments
• Focus on your main message
• Use concise language

”Error Submitting Comment”

Problem: Comment won’t send

Solutions:

• Check your internet connection
• Try refreshing the page
• Make sure all required fields are filled
• Clear your browser cache
• Try a different browser

”Comment Not Appearing”

Problem: You submitted but don’t see it on the display

Possible reasons:

1. Moderation enabled - Check for a “pending approval” message
2. Different display - You might be looking at the wrong screen
3. Internet delay - Wait 30-60 seconds
4. Cache - The display may need to refresh
5. Wrong recognition - Make sure you’re viewing the right one

Full troubleshooting guide →

Advanced Tips

Using Pre-Made Comments

Some comment pages offer suggested comments you can use:

1. Look for “Quick Comments” or “Suggestions”
2. Tap a suggestion to use it
3. Edit it to personalize
4. Or use it as-is!

Pro tip: Pre-made comments are great starting points, but personalizing them makes them more meaningful!

Styling Strategy

Match your style to the message tone:

Timing Your Comments

Best times to comment:

• Right away - Show you’re paying attention
• During lunch - When more people see displays
• Mid-afternoon - Breaks are common then
• End of day - Leaves a positive note

Avoid:

• Very early morning (fewer people see it)
• After business hours (display may not be monitored)

Building a Recognition Culture

Make it a habit:

• Check displays daily
• Comment on at least one recognition per week
• Vary your comment styles
• Include GIFs when appropriate
• Like generously

Encourage others:

• Tell colleagues about great comments you see
• Mention recognition displays in meetings
• Share success stories about the platform
• Model active participation

Privacy & Your Comments

What’s Stored

When you comment:

• Your comment text
• Your chosen style
• Your GIF (if added)
• Your email (for verification)
• Timestamp
• Optional: Your name (if you choose to add it)

Who Can See

Your comments are visible to:

• Employees in your organization
• Anyone who views the displays
• HR administrators (in the dashboard)

Your comments are NOT visible to:

• Other companies using Emanate Great
• The general public
• People outside your organization

Editing or Removing

Can’t edit after submitting! Make sure to review before sending.

Need to remove a comment? Contact your HR administrator. They can delete comments from displays and the dashboard.

Anonymous vs. Named

You choose:

• Leave name field blank for anonymous comments
• Add your name to be credited
• Either way, your email is kept private

Most people: Go anonymous for casual comments, add their name for significant recognitions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many comments can I leave?

Unlimited! Comment as often as you’d like on any recognition.

Can I change my comment after sending?

No, comments can’t be edited. Review carefully before submitting!

Why are some styles not available?

All 10 styles should be available. If you’re missing some, try refreshing the page.

Can I save draft comments?

No, but you can write comments in your phone’s notes app and copy/paste them!

Do I need to use my real name?

No, commenting can be completely anonymous if you prefer.

How long do comments stay on displays?

As long as that recognition is active. Some stay for days, others for weeks.

Can my boss see who wrote anonymous comments?

No one can see who wrote anonymous comments—that’s what anonymous means!

What if I accidentally submit a blank comment?

Contact your HR admin to have it removed.

Ready to start celebrating your colleagues? Scan a QR code and leave your first comment! 🎉

QR Code Guide → | User Guide → | Troubleshooting →