Start Using QR Codes, They’re The Next “BIG Thing” In Advertising
MY WIFE RENEWED HER WIRELESS PHONE CONTRACT LAST MONTH
My wife’s cell phone contract came up for renewal last month, so it was time to shop for a new plan and phone. Up to this point she was content with the call features, the ability to keep in touch with family and friends using texts and taking the occasional photo with the built in camera.
YOU DON’T KNOW YOU NEED IT, UNTIL SOMEONE SHOWS YOU, YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT IT!
She wasn’t looking for the latest and greatest in technology. She has a laptop, but never thought she would need to go online with her phone. Didn’t matter. Remember that old saying,: “Necessity Is The Mother Of Invention”? Well, I’m convinced that in this day and age, we can change that to: “Invention Is The Mother Of Necessity”! In other words you don’t know you need it until someone shows you, you can’t live without it. You guessed it, the smart phone has arrived and the way the plans are priced, by the time you sign on the dotted line, you’ve got a phone that, in many cases, is faster and can do more than your old desk top computer at home.
IT DIDN’T TAKE LONG FOR HER TO DISCOVER QR CODES
What are QR Codes?
They look like this:
They come to us from Japan where they are very common. QR is short for Quick Response (they can be read quickly by a cell phone). They are basically a bar code, but can store much more data. Many cell phones today come with built in readers. QR readers can also be downloaded for free.
Back to my wife’s QR discovery moment. She’s at the store looking at some towels. She spots a QR Code on the tag which says, “Scan With Your Phone”. She does. Instantly she gets more information than anyone should need to make a towel purchase, and in the process gets hooked!
IF QR CODES ARE THE NEXT BIG THING, MY CLIENTS SHOULD BE USING THEM, NOW!
With more and more smart phones being introduced, it won’t be long before QR Codes are everywhere. So don’t wait. You can create a QR Codes for free online. Give it a try at this link: http://goqr.me/ .
Here are a few example of how businesses are using QR Codes:
- Business Cards – A QR Code can create a vCard when scanned including phone numbers, web address, email etc.
- Postcards & Door Hangers – Someone reading a postcard or door hanger, doesn’t have to be at his computer to view a website. Another benefit, is that the QR Code can be saved on the phone. Now URL addresses that are long or hard to spell can be loaded with the touch of a button.
- Storefront Window – Some restaurants have a QR Code hanging in their window with a quick link to a menu or daily specials. (QR Codes can be any size – some advertisers are using them on billboards)
- Coupons – Advertise the QR Code of a webpage containing special offers that are updated regularly.
- Videos – Links to videos on You Tube or a website can be launched instantly.
Envelopes, stationery, brochures, T-shirts, signs – your imagination is the limit.
Even if you are not the most “tech savvy” individual, using QR Codes will impress those that are and peak the curiosity of those that aren’t.
By the way, the QR Code in this Blog happens to be the web address of our Blog. If you have a smart phone, I hope you will scan it.