QR Codes
QR Codes (QR=Quick Response) are small postage-stamp sized codes that can be scanned
with a mobile device and can link to content online. It extends the printed piece by enabling the user to access information available online. The QR code could link to text, photos, audio, video or some other interactive function.
You need a smart phone to scan QR Codes – and you need software to decode the QR code. We in North America are a few years behind Asia and Europe in adopting QR codes. If the trend follows through, we will see increased usage in the coming years.
How we used a QR code in our last Ad:
Our advertisement with Graphic Arts Magazine Feb 2011, contains a QR code. When the code is scanned, it takes you to a customized landing page where you're given 2 options:
1) Enter to Win or 2) Check Current Promotional Pricing.
1) If you choose "Enter to Win," you enter your name and email address into the fields provided. We send you an email to verify that you'd like to participate in the promotion. The email provides a link for you to click to "activate" your entry. Once you click "activate," we take you to our survey page, where you can answer some questions. Then we ask for your contact information. We're using QR codes to help us understand our customers and to identify new areas of growth. One in ten respondents will receive a Free USB Flash Drive.
2)If you choose Check Current Promotional Pricing, you see pricing on this month's specials.
The back-end of our QR-Code promo is simple and effective. The data collected is stored in a secure database and we can analyze the click through patterns to determine what interests our customers.
Great uses for QR-Codes:
Effectiveness Tracking – How do you know your ad is being seen? This question plagues advertisers. When a QR-Code is scanned – the linking page can collect usage statistics. You now have hard data showing you how many people clicked the QR code and what interested them. This information is invaluable. Further, each ad you create can contain a different QR code and you can link users to specific ads. You could gain insight into where to focus your marketing budget.
Brochures – A QR-code on a brochure can extend a simple 8.5×11 leaflet into a video presentation or a lead generation tool.
Movie Promotions – Movie posters display QR-Codes that link to the movie trailer. It's a great way to convert the people standing in line at the theatre wondering which movie to watch.
Music Promotions – A great way to enhance a printed promotional piece for a musician would be to include a QR code linking to a short music video or a free audio track.
Brochures & Catalogs - Some products could use a video aid to help demonstrate the product. If you're selling folding machines, for example, wouldn't it be great to link the products in the catalog to videos of each machine in operation? You could print a picture of Machine XYZ, print a writeup, display a QR-Code that brings the user to a micro-site that tells all about this one product. You've got as much time as you need to sell your product! When the demo is done, you could ask for contact information and turn that QR-code scan into a qualified sales lead!
Packaging – "How to" videos can show how to assemble or install a product
Real Estate marketers - Put a QR code on your lawn sign to link to an online presentation of the home for sale
Food Marketers – Put a QR code on the packaging to link to a recipe or video
Fast food packing / restaurant menus – Put a QR code that links to nutritional information about what you're eating / ordering
Maps – Link to a google map! Great idea for tourist attraction brochures / flyers.
Wine Labels – Print a QR-code that links to a website where users can share tasting notes, comment about availability and receive more information like food pairing.
Printers love QR-Codes!
We love QR-Codes because it strengthens to bond between print and web. You need to print something so you can put a QR-code on it. There are so many advantages to this technology that it's really an easy sell. QR-Codes sell product and they sell printing. While many advertisers have turned away from print as a viable advertising medium, many are turning back. Internet advertising is great. Search engine marketing is great. But you can't physically put your website in someone's hands. You can't put it in their mailbox. Search engine advertising is becoming more mainstream and the costs associated with search engine marketing are climbing quickly. A few years ago, you would have been able to generate a few thousand hits for $50 – now that figure is closer to $500 and will probably rise to $5000. Advertisers are coming back to print – because it works. We're making sure print is relevant and that it generates a good return on investment.
Here are some Free QR-Code Readers:
i-nigma http://www.i-nigma.mobi
Kawa Reader – http://reader.kaywa.com
The links above direct you to the pages of the software providers. Imageworks does not take any responsibility regarding the quality of the software they offer nor the user terms and license terms established by them.
Web & Print Integration
Imageworks can help you integrate QR into your printed pieces. We can create microsites and tracking statistics to enhance the effectiveness of your print promotion.
Learn more about how you can use QR codes to help your customers' print promotions.
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