You’ve seen those funny little patterned squares. Maybe you’ve ignored them, maybe you’ve wondered about them, maybe you’ve even used them. Well, you’re going to start seeing them more and more. QR Codes are quickly becoming a force in marketing. They connect the physical world with the web. It’s a great way to engage people in your message immediately.

“QR CODE?!?! What’s that?” I hear you cry. Basically, it is a two dimensional bar code in which you can embed information like web URLs, videos, and contact information. People can access that information by simply scanning the codes with their smart phones. They are free to create and they hold a lot of information.

So next time you see a QR (Quick Response, in case you were curious) code, simply take a picture of it with your phone’s camera using a QR Code Reader application and you’ll be directed to the embedded information in that code, such as a website, video, or text message.

You can make your own for FREE and very easily at any QR code generating website, but the trick is, once you have created your neat little square, what will you do with it? Here are some ideas to get your marketing gears churning:

1. Simplify your business card by including all of your social networking profiles, phones numbers, email addresses into a QR code. It will make for a great conversation starter.
2. In grocery stores, recipes could be embedded in codes using the products found on nearby shelves. Then the recipe is easily available on your phone when you get home.
3. A QR code posted next to a painting in a gallery or museum could contain a link to the artist’s bio and the website to purchase a print of the painting.
4. Whole marketing stories could be told on small hang tags in clothing stores. Where did the cotton come from? Who designed this shirt? Is it sustainable?
5. Discount codes and virtual coupons can be scanned from fliers or direct mail pieces and then saved in your smart phone for later use. No more searching through your purse for the silly piece of paper.
6. Links to trailers can be printed on movie posters. I saw this one at the mall the other day.
7. A QR code on your resume could provide a link to your personal website or your LinkedIn profile.
8. Store wrapping paper or shopping bags could have links to their website or fashion videos.
9. Cocktail napkins at a networking event could take you to the sponsor’s website or a cool corporate video promoting their new product launch.
10. A counter card in your trade show booth could have a QR Code that, when scanned, enters you to win an iPad. Or better yet, put a QR code on your giveaways that has more corporate information than you could actually print in a 1″ x 1″ space otherwise.

The possibilities are endless. You can advertise, generate Facebook “likes,” offer discounts, or simply provide information through these nifty little graphics. They can be printed in your corporate colors and customized to a certain point as well. Feel free to call us to brainstorm ideas for using them in your marketing. We love playing with this exciting new tool that brings together the printed and cyber worlds.

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

• Tweet

Tags: Marketing, QR code

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 7th, 2011 at 7:47 am and is filed under Marketing, social media. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.