QR CODES MARKETING
QR codes are fast becoming a powerful force in marketing, acting as a connector between the physical world and the web. People see a QR code, scan it, and are suddenly engaged in your message (when you do it right.)
What is a QR Code?
A QR Code is a scannable/readable barcode that allows you to share text, data or a URL with people. Anyone with a smart phone (Android, iPhone, etc) and a QR Code reader can play along.
QR Codes as Marketing Tools
One thing that is unique about QR codes is that they are both online and offline marketing tools. Not only can people scan these codes with their smart phones while they are shopping online, they can also scan codes when they appear in print ads, newspapers, store windows, etc. What this means for advertisers is that it is important to make sure that:
- Your QR codes are at least one inch square and link to a mobile-optimized URL
- Instructions on how to use these codes are provided, if possible
- A message reminding users that they may need to install a QR code reader is included.
Offline AND Online Marketing
Since QR codes can serve dual (online and offline) marketing purposes, the possibilities for where QR codes can be placed are virtually endless. In addition to placing them in print ads and on store windows, some businesses have also placed these codes on hats, t-shirts and other apparel items, effectively turning anyone who wears them into walking marketing advertisements.
Need more fans and followers? Sending customers to your Facebook or Twitter page, for example, might encourage them to click the “Like” or “Follow” button. Once they’ve done this, reward them by re-directing them to an exclusive promotional code that they can use in your ecommerce store.
You can also use QR codes to direct customers to videos that you have created and uploaded to your YouTube channel or to videos on other video sharing sites. Have a great blog post, a news release, whitepaper, or other marketing content that you want to share? Create a QR code that sends your readers directly to it.
