Successful QR Code Marketing

Successful QR Code Marketing

Go Mobile Media Marketing | www.GoMobileMediaMarketing.com | [email protected] | 1-‐888-‐544-‐4639

QR Codes

For Your Business

By Go Mobile Media Marketing



QR Codes

You have probably started to see these squiggly looking squares springing up everywhere, in fast food chains, on popular soft drink bottles and cans, as well as on flyers, tickets, magazines and business cards. Companies are using them to provide information on products in the store, providing information which can help the buying decision process.

What On Earth Are These?

These particular codes are called QR Codes. QR stands for Quick Response. A QR code is actually a 2D (two-dimensional) matrix barcode. QR codes were invented in Japan by Toyota almost two decades ago for the auto industry for keeping track of car parts inventory.

A QR Code is simply a graphical image that stores information.

You’re already familiar with UPC barcodes which are one-dimensional barcodes, usually on products you buy in a store. A UPC code is rather limited in the amount of information it can hold.



A 2D barcode holds information in 2 dimensions and can hold a surprising amount of information, giving it greater flexibility for different uses.

There are several types of 2D barcodes, such as a Microsoft Tag and the QR code. The QR Code is the code most people are familiar with seeing. People often refer to all 2D barcodes as QR Codes.

A QR Code is free for anyone to use and has become the most widely accepted 2D barcode. The QR Code is the 2D barcode we’ll be talking about in this report.

How Do You Read QR Codes?

QR codes are read by software which scans them and then links to the information they contain.

A reason for the recent increase in the use of QR codes is the increase in the number of Smart Phones people are buying. You can download a QR scanner app into a Smart Phone – software which will read the QR Code. There are many free scanner apps available to download onto a phone. I would suggest searching for a qr code scanner and look for one with 4or5 stars. Two examples of free apps are: ZXing and Kaywa.

Some Smart Phones come already set up with a QR code scanner. Once you have downloaded the scanning app, you can use the Smart Phone’s camera to scan the QR code. Barcodes are designed to allow content to be decoded at high speed, providing some desired information.



Once they are scanned, QR Codes can:

• Take you to a website • Send a text message • Show a map location • Show a phone number for customers and prospects to call • Show a virtual business card • Take you to a video • Take you to a coupon/offer • Show other information such as…

Take you to a Sweepstake Form Take you to a YouTube Video

Take you to a Mobile vCard



Why Would People Scan a QR Code?

QR Codes are great to use right now because they are something new that many people haven’t seen before and they add an element of suspense. People are intrigued about what they’ll find behind the code.

People are scanning QR Codes for the following reasons:

• Curiosity – to know what they do

• To get more information

• Take advantage of a coupon, discount or gift

• Gain access to exclusive content

• Buy something

When you use QR codes for the first time in your business, you may want to teach customers about what they are and how to scan them. A simple picture with instructions explaining the process is usually enough.

The only limit to where you can use these codes is your imagination. See the next page to find out different ways QR Codes have been used.



1. Business Card Put a code on your business card and download the vCard contact information directly into the phone’s contact manager.

10. Put one on Videos Take to landing page for more information or special offer.

2. Put it on Price Tags in a Store Taking them to a specs page online (Best Buy does this quite effectively).

11. PayPal Buy Link Scanning takes them to PayPal to buy your item.

3. Put it on your website Contact Us page People who take a picture of your page on the screen, put you in their contact list.

12. Promote an Event Scanning the code takes them to the itinerary of the event.

4. Put it in Print Ads People can scan to be taken to a specific landing page on your website.

13. Put one on PowerPoint Presentations Take to landing page for more information or special offer.

5. Put it on a Campaign Sign Information on how to volunteer, donate, or see the candidate speak on an issue.

14. Coupons Scanning directs them to a mobile coupon.

6. Put it on a For-‐Sale Sign Take them to a website with video and information about the item being sold: House, car, etc.

15. Direct Mail Include various scan codes (call us, watch a video, launch website, enter sweepstakes).

7. Put it on your Luggage If your luggage ever gets lost, it will have your contact information.

16. There is an App for That Add a scan code that takes the consumer to the mobile app that you want them to download on an iPhone or Android.

8. Link to Social Media Profiles Easy to like on Facebook or follow on Twitter.

17. Scan to Win Enter a chance to win!

9. Conference Name Tags Contact Information.

18. Taxi Scan to call a taxi.



Why Should You Use QR Codes? Traditional marketing is usually “push” marketing. You push information at people. It is a one-way message. People can’t talk back to the TV, radio or newspaper.

When using QR Codes, you allow people to interact with your marketing. With the proper incentive, people will voluntarily scan the code and “talk” to you to get your message. Your marketing becomes “pull” marketing. You initiate a two-way conversation.

Some QR Code campaigns may allow you to continue to have a conversation with the people who have scanned the code, if you have set it up to collect contact information.

What Do You Need to Know About Using QR Codes?

As you know, most people will try something at least once. In the case of QR Codes, people will scan them at first out of curiosity. Once they’re familiar with the codes, people will scan them to get something of value. That something can be a coupon, a discount or some information they want. QR codes may be directed to a mobile webpage specific to your offer/promotion/event. You want to make sure you provide a good value to your customers, so they continue scanning QR Codes.



You want to make sure the codes are readable by scanners. They should also be placed in locations convenient to be scanned, as well as in locations with Wi-Fi access for the Smart Phones. If you’re sending your customers to a website when they scan the QR Code, you want to make sure that website is mobile friendly.

Of course, you will want to make sure you have a clear Call to Action. Tell customers what to do and what they will get when they scan the code. For example, Scan Me to Download My Contact Information, Scan Me & Enter to Win, Scan Me for Testimonials, Scan Me & Like Us on Facebook, or Scan Me & Save.

Is This Just Another Fad?

People ask if QR codes are a fad. The simple response to this is that before barcodes were invented we had to ticket all inventory. Now UPC barcodes are on almost all items we buy in stores and universally used.

QR codes are no different. They are simply used to generate a quick response from the user to get information. Since they are able to hold more information, it’s likely their use will only increase in the marketplace.

These barcodes are being used more and more in advertising as well as on tangible goods. The more people get used to them and actually understand how they work, the more they will be accepted and used.



As the owner of a small business, you should be aware that the larger corporations are using QR Codes in their marketing more and more. Companies such as Home Depot, Macy’s, Target, Subway, TGI Friday’s, Taco Bell and others are using QR Codes on a regular basis in their marketing strategies.

QR Codes are an affordable strategy you can use when planning your business marketing.

The key to successful QR code campaigns is using a QR code generator that allows you to change the content whenever necessary so that once you print the QR code on all ads, flyers, etc. all that is required is to change out the content and the QR code is still relevant. This process ensures you do not want to have to reprint all the marketing materials which translates to saving you and your business money.

These codes can be linked to an opt-in form for entering a contest or for an offer of interest to your customers. If your intention is to collect contact information to market to a customer in the future, make sure subscribers know they will be receiving more offers from you in the future if they opt-in to this contest or offer.

The beauty of using a QR code the right way is that people don’t have to wait to go home to their computer to sign up for something. They don’t need to write anything down or remember a phone number or some other information. They just scan the code and get the information they want.



When you develop the offer you’ll be using with the QR Code, remember to ask yourself: If this wasn’t your ad, would you scan this code?

In summary, QR codes can be a fun mobile marketing tool for you to use as your market your business. It allows you to interact with your customers and can enhance the other marketing you are already doing.

This report has been provided courtesy of:

Go Mobile Media Marketing

www.GoMobileMediaMarketing.com

[email protected]

Toll Free 1-888-544-4639

Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions about this report. We are happy to discuss with you how we can help to grow your

business.

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Successful QR Code Marketing