What is a QR Code:
A QR Code (Quick Response Code) is a two dimensional barcode that an be scanned with IPhones, smart phones, and web cams. The scanned code will take you to whatever the code is linked to such as a website, phone number, marketing offer, blog, video or social networking sites (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc). QR codes are very easy to get – simply go to one of the QR code generator websites (http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ is one such site), type in the URL you want to link with the code, hit generate and you will have your code. QR codes are becoming an increasingly effective way to increase the ROI of a mail campaign.
The social media gurus at Hubspot have put the together the following tips for using QR Codes. Please contact your TC Delivers representative with any questions regarding the use of QR Codes on your mailing campaign.
How to Create Your Own QR Code Promotion
Creating a QR code promotion is actually pretty simple.
1) Create a Landing Page: First and foremost, you’ll need to create a mobile-optimized landing page. That means a landing page that is designed to be viewed on a smartphone screen. Keep things simple – for example, on a mobile landing page, forms should be kept to a few fields only. Most people don’t have the patience to fill out lengthy forms from a smartphone.
2) Create Your QR Code: Once you’ve created your landing page, copy the URL into a QR code generator. There are plenty of QR code generators on the web, so just do a search for one. Paste your landing page URL into the QR code generator and, like magic, your QR code will be generated on the spot. This QR code is unique to you, so nobody in the world has another one just like it.
3) Add Your QR Code to Your Promotional Materials: Grab your QR code from the generator. On a PC, that means right-clicking it and saving it to your computer. (On a Mac, you can drag and drop.) Now that you have the QR code handy, add it to your promotional materials. That includes any printed materials or websites that are going to be part of the promotion.
4) Let the World Know About Your Promotion: There’s no point in launching a QR Code promotion if you’re not going to let the world know about it. So broadcast your message using direct mail, your blog, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google + or any of the other social media tools at your disposal. The key part at this stage of the game is to let as many people know about the promotion as possible.
How to Put QR Codes to Work for Your Business
There are a variety of ways you can use QR codes for your business, and new ones are cropping up every day. Here are some great ideas you can use below. And let us know in the comments about any other ideas we may have missed!
1.“Hello, My Name Is” Tags: You know those big red and white tags people wear at events with their names on them? If you put a QR code in place of your name, you’ll engage people and easily be able to strike up conversations.
2.Outdoor Billboards: Be one of the first businesses in your market to run a giant QR code on a billboard for your business.
3.Websites: Add a QR code to the ‘Contact Us’ page on your website so visitors can download your contact information to their smartphones.
4.Business Cards: Add a QR code to the front or back of your business card so people can instantly download your contact information.
5.Webinars: Ready to make your webinars more engaging and fun? Then simply include a QR code as part of your presentation. It’s a terrific way to keep the audience engaged and involved.
6.LinkedIn and Facebook Pages: Want another way to stand out from everyone else? Add a QR code to your LinkedIn and Facebook pages to pull people into your website. It’s one of the best ways you can position yourself as a forward, innovative thinker.
7.T-Shirts: Ready to promote your product or service in an innovative way? Then add a QR code to a T-shirt that you give away to customers and prospects.
8.In-Store Posters With Coupons: Want to provide instant coupons to people while they’re shopping? Then add a QR code that drives them through to a special discount that can be scanned at the register.
9.Dial a Phone Number: Want to encourage people to dial your number so they can order your product? Then give them a QR code to scan. If it’s set up properly, it will instantly dial your number on their phone and connect them with your sales center.
There’s no real mystery to using QR codes to grow your business. All you have to do is generate the code, and drop it into your promotion. Be sure you test the campaign before you go public with it – people who scan your code expect things to work relatively smoothly the first time out of the gate. But other than that, running a QR code promotion is a snap.
Read more: http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/30678/9-Unique-Ways-to-Generate-Leads-With-QR-Codes.aspx#ixzz1jIWUopfu
