Technology places no limit on how or even how much information you can share about your business. Years ago we saw websites appearing in ads to market businesses, then MySpace sparked everyone’s attention, which eventually led to the use of Facebook pages and Twitter profiles as a tool to drive people back to their websites.
Now, QR codes are becoming the next big thing and can be found almost anywhere. You can spot them in ads, as avatars, on business cards and boarding passes, and even in Times Square. With nearly 20 percent of visits to company sites being prompted or directed by social media and less than 1% via direct links, according to a recent study, QR codes are a great way to enhance search engine and social media optimization.
So, what is a QR code and why is this something that you should care about? A QR code works similarly to a bar code and holds data that you can share with others. These codes are practical for businesses because it is an easy way to direct people to digital content to view a website, make a phone call, send an email or text and perform an array of other functions. Plus, it offers the entertainment of discovery to an audience, as well as the opportunity to connect with a brand.
You are probably thinking that this is way out of your technical ability, but the truth is QR codes are painless to create. All you need is:
– An audience with a smart phone and QR code reader
– An application to create QR codes, and
– A purpose and place for QR codes to be used that your target audience will recognize and be willing to scan.
The most difficult part is figuring out how to implement them. Here are a few places that you can consider incorporating QR codes to boost your branding:
* Business Cards – Direct your contacts and potential clients to your website or get your phones ringing by setting up QR codes to make a phone call. Scans have increased offline to online engagement for many businesses.
* Brochures/Posters – Link to a website to provide additional information about a campaign or an email list to build your subscriber list.
* Event ticket stubs – Use QR codes to give directions to the venue.
* Landing Pages –QR codes generate “Like” buttons that lead to Facebook sites and Twitter pages so that you can get a new fan or quick follow.
* Product tags and packaging – Link to a mp3 download or YouTube video with instructions to install a device or a web page thanking your customers for a purchase. Give reasons for people to continue using your product.
* Point-of-sale receipts – Let your customers/clients tell you how well you are performing by linking to a feedback form.
You’ll see that there are multiple ways to promote engagement and connect with your audience with QR codes. This might be the best tactic to support your next marketing strategy, and if it is, give us a call, we can help! In the meantime, pull out your smart phone and scan the barcode below to see how else we are fulfilling client needs:
As design director at Cookerly, Tim serves as the creative lead in the development of branding campaigns, print collateral and digital media for clients across a broad range of industries, including consumer, professional services, healthcare and technology.
As a senior vice president at Cookerly, Mike Rieman is a strategic communications leader specializing in media relations and reputation management. With a proven track record of securing high-profile placements in top-tier outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN and USA Today, he excels at crafting compelling narratives that resonate across print, broadcast and digital platforms.
Mike Touhill is vice president at Cookerly Public Relations, where he helps lead traditional, social and digital media programs for B2B and B2C clients in packaging, telecommunications and technology, among other industries. As a communication leader, he develops and executes public relations strategy, provides proactive and reactive counsel to C-level executives and secures earned media coverage for client initiatives and product.
Andrew Agan is a vice president at Cookerly Public Relations, overseeing the agency’s internship program and leading media relations, content strategy and social media initiatives. He provides counsel and executes campaigns for clients across various sectors, including finance, healthcare, hospitality, technology, automotive and many others. Andrew excels at crafting compelling stories and building media relationships, resulting in clients being featured in notable outlets such as CNBC, Associated Press, Business Insider, Fox Business, HBO, Inc. Magazine, Sirius XM, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, among others.
As vice president of Cookerly, Sheryl Sellaway uses her extensive corporate communications background to lead consumer PR efforts, deliver strategy for marketing programs and share expertise about community initiatives.
