How To Use QR Codes in a Marketing Campaign

Hello Guerilleros! It’s not as nice a day today as it has been lately. We’ve got some clouds overhead, and it’s kind of been a gray day. So I’m just going to jump straight to the point: QR codes and ways to use them. I’ve been pushing for QR codes for some time with the Chefe, but we haven’t yet had a chance to use them. But I have some ideas which I’m going to share with you!
[divider /]

QR What?

For the purpose of this article, a QR code is a barcode that your smart-phone can scan in real life and then process, typically to take you to a website. QR codes are popular with advertisers now, because it gives marketers the ability to measure response rates with a high degree of precision and allows for easier ROI calculation, thereby justifying expenditure on marketing.
[divider /]

The Right Way and The Wrong Way

[sws_pullquote_right]The key to making QR codes work is by adding value! [/sws_pullquote_right]
One of the problems we had was trying to figure out how to use the code effectively. Too often people just use the code to take smart phone owners to a homepage. Who cares? They can Google search that. What you need to do is introduce value. Make people WANT to scan the code.

One way to do this is to ensure that where ever the QR code takes the user is unique. A QR code only accessible site, perhaps. And don’t forget to make the site optimized for mobile viewing. A full blown web site is too much for the small screen on a phone. The site should be a single page, with all the needed info right there and easily navigated with thumbs.

[divider /]

How To Introduce Value

We have many different clients in many different industries. Unfortunately, some of our clients are not in industries where a QR code is practical. The QR code is useless without something physical to put it on. However, not all of them fall into that category. I’ll use some of our current clients to provide examples.

  • A Clever Way to Put In A QR Code

    A Clever Way to Put In A QR Code

    Merchandising – One of our clients produces a miniature figure game, among many other types of collectibles. This example is easily the most versatile one I have. They could add a QR code to the boxes for the pieces or even better, on promotional posters. The code could lead to a site with a LTO. It could be a site with a list of all the pieces in the set. It could lead to an app that lets people track their collection as soon as they buy some new figures. It could lead to phone wall paper based on the product. You get the point.

  • The Energy Drink – Slap it on a can, and the sky’s the limit. It could take people to the Drink Mixes page. It could take people to various videos. It could take people to an instantly redeemable coupon.
  • The Photographer – Use it on the backs of photos, and when you give away wedding photos, everyone will effectively have your business card. Offer a 20% discount for contacting you through the QR code.
  • Fitness Gym – Stick it on a business card or flyer, it takes people straight to a sign up page for a free week trial. Bam!
  • Wineshop – This one would take some work, but I think it would be cool. Set up a QR code for each section of wine or even each vintner. Put them on the shelves, people scan it, and they get a review, possible pairings, and maybe a coupon effective immediately. It would take away all the embarrassment people feel about not knowing how to buy wine by letting them learn as they shop.

So there are a few ideas to get you started if you’re stuck trying to figure out how to use QR codes in a marketing campaign. And if you want to include the social media part, a QR code can just as easily link to an FB page as a regular mobile site. Just saying.

See you next time, Guerilleros!

[divider /]
Social Media Guerilla brings tips and tricks for effective social media marketing, as well as social commentary to anyone who is interested or will at least listen. We are waging a war on traditional marketing techniques. We are the underground. We are the future. Enlist now.

One Response to How To Use QR Codes in a Marketing Campaign

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Please enter your name, email and a comment.