1. What is my intent?
2. Who is my audience?
3. What does success look like?
4. How will I measure the success of my campaign?

In the past advertisers would using a fishing pole approach… tossing out bait and trying to lure the customer to buy something.  Social media changed all that.  Social media is more about building relationships and getting OTHER PEOPLE TO TELL EVERYONE HOW GREAT YOU ARE!  This approach is more like herding cattle to a barn.  The problem is while most advertisers finally understand the concept and believe in “herding” philosophy, they are still using a fishing pole to try to accomplish the task.  See the problem?

QR Codes solve so many of these issues and are assisting the “old school” to cross over into the new world of marketing.

With a QR Code it is very easy to accomplish all of the above questions.  Once you have determined your intent you can now place your QR Code within your print and electronic media campaigns to get YOUR AUDIENCE to scan it.  Thus Social Media QR Codes!

Now it comes to the question of defining success and measuring it.

If you break the golden rule of QR Code Marketing and point the qr code at your website you are sure to fail as a website cannot be easily read and navigated on a Smartphone.  As well, your success objective should be much more than simply getting “hits” to your website.  (After all… it’s not 1995 anymore!)  You need to accomplish AT LEAST 1 of 3 critical objectives.

1. Acquire valuable customer data
2. Quickly showcase your product or service
3. Let the customer know why they should buy from you

A well-designed Smartphone enabled website (http://www.BuildYourownSmartSite.com) will accomplish all 3 objectives.  If you can get a facebook LIKE, a twitter FOLLOW or an email address from your visitor to your Smart Site you will be able to communicate with them for months or years into the future without tapping your marketing budget.  With a 60-90 second video you can showcase the benefits of your product/service and tell the WHY they should buy from you.

Your campaign should not be judged so much on revenue but more in terms of data acquisition.

If you follow these simple steps you will succeed with QR Codes.

Lance Reynolds is the owner and founder of Build Your Own Smart Site where you can create a smartphone enabled website with 5 simple steps in 5 minutes or less!

Now, I’m a woman and I totally fell for this “call to action” so I scanned the code. I wasn’t sure what to expect considering it’s a hot, scantly clad woman. I was hoping it wasn’t anything too risque and let me tell you…It wasn’t. It was a direct link to nicovision’s URL. As awesome as their website is (which is mainly in flash, but that’s a entirely different topic for another day) It’s not useful for a QR Code campaign!

Can you read that? I can’t.

There is no call to action, no reason to interact with this company at all. They need a Smart Site!! Remember our number 1 rule when creating a QR Code campaign is making sure that you don’t link your QR Code to your website. Trying to navigate a traditional URL on a smartphone is a ridiculous task!

I know you’re dying to know how I would of handled this. (or not, just read anyway)

1) I would of had a Smart Site made by www.HotChickScan.com. They know how market models, actors, entertainment types, porn stars, etc. They’ve had some serious success with the campaigns they have run so far. Google Vanilla DeVille if you’re over 18, she uses Hot Chick Scan for her QR Code campaigns.

2) I would of had social media icons to connect with nicovision and the models as well. They need to market their models just as much as their business.

3) I would of had a link to an online photo gallery.

4) I would of added a link for direct contact information. You can go one of two ways with this: You could ask the end user to submit their email address and they will be emailed with more information or you can link directly to an email form. Either way, you’re building your list. That is the point!

The point I am trying to make is NEVER point your QR Code to your website. It’s just not effective!

Written by Non Profit Orgs

QR Codes are two-dimensional bar code images that when scanned by a camera on a smartphone open a link to a website, send a SMS, or dial a phone number. You can easily create QR Codes for free at sites like qrcodegenius.com. To scan a QR Code, smartphone owners download a QR Code Reader [we recommend Scan Life] and then take a picture of the QR Code. The person scanning is then sent either to a Smart Site to view the link inside the QR Code, sent a text message, or prompted to dial a phone number. QR Codes are ideal for location-based communications and fundraising campaigns. Try it! Scan the QR Code featured in this blog post to see how it works.  We do not recommend sending your visitor to a regular website.  Have a customized Smart Site (smartphone enabled website) created to help you accomplish your goal.  There are a number of great sites out there to help (like www.BuildYourOwnSmartSite.com)

Think about it. Linking to a desktop site in a QR Code that is meant to be read on smartphone is not practical. It’s very difficult to read a 12″ wide website on a 2.5″ wide screen. To best utilize QR Codes you will need to link to Web pages designed for mobile browsing, especially “Donate Now” and “Text-to-Give Now” pages and petition pages optimized for mobile use. It’s also smart to link to your social networking communities, but to the mobile versions i.e., m.facebook.com/nonprofitorgs, m.twitter.com/nonprofitorgs,m.youtube.com/nonprofitorgs, m.flickr.com/photos/nonprofitorgs, etc.

There are infinite possibilities of what your nonprofit can link to in QR Codes – just make sure the pages can easily be read on mobile devices. My guess is that over the next year we’re going to see a rise in nonprofit services tailored to create mobile-friendly Web page and QR Codes. That said, QR Codes that prompt scanners to call phone numbers could be put to very interesting use at political events protests ushering in a new wave of QR Code activism.

The early adopters in the nonprofit sector are a creative bunch. With a mobile website (create one for only $8 a month) and a QR Code generator and reader, there are thousands of possible QR Code campaigns. To help jumpstart your creativity, here are 22 ideas to ponder:

1. In fundraising appeals.
2. In print newsletters.
3. At fundraising events – galas, marathons, etc.
4. On flyers and community billboards.
5. At protests.
6. At conferences.
7. At check-out lines.
8. On tabletops in restaurants.
9. In playbills.
10. In museum tour materials.
11. As scavenger hunts.
12. In city tours.
13. At concerts and sporting events.
14. For art walks.
15. At zoos, aquariums, and animal shelters.
16. In libraries.
17. At parks and outdoor recreation venues.
18. At church.
19. On college and university campuses.
20. At airports.
21. In window displays.
22. On t-shirts, mugs, pins, and business cards.

IF you want an awesome customized Smart Phone enabled site visit www.BuildYourOwnSmartSite.com

QR Codes and creativity

Our tech-savvy friends  in Japan are very used to to seeing QR Codes on everything they come into contact with —billboard signs, subway advertisements, Starbucks receipts, T-shirts, clothing tags, McDonald’s big mac packaging, food and beverage containers,  and believe it or not… a 3 story QR Codes on the side of a downtown building!

QR Codes are here to stay

By simply scanning the qr code you can get great special offers, exclusive product/service content, price quotes, nutrition facts,  pricing options and even the ability to make an appointment with your favorite hair stylist.  Many QR Codes also give you the chance to easily add the contact information from the qr code directly into your phone without typing!

QR codes didn’t catch on right away but they are growing rapidly in America.   Marketing professionals around the country agree that it isn’t whether these funny square bar codes willequal the level of commonality found in Japan; rather, it’s how quickly will they be a part of every day life, similar to visiting a websites URL.  Verizon wireless is predicting that 50,000,000 (yes, that says MILLION) qr codes will be scanned everyday in the US by the end of 2011.

“They are hiding in plain sight,” says B.L. Ochman, managing director of emerging media at Proof Integrated Communications. “Once you start looking, you’re going to see them on your shampoo, on your bill, in theaters. All kinds of companies are using them.”

QR codes are easy for your customers to use and the cost of creating them is free.  When executed properly, adding a tiny square qr code to your packaging can open up a whole new level of direct interaction with your current & potential customers.  It goes WAY beyond the realm of traditional marketing.   Imagine incorporating audio and video that the scanner can view immediately on their smartphone.  This interaction creates a sense of fun that turns advertising from a passive observation to an enjoyable interactive experience.

In the very near future, marketing experts can see Americans paying for cab & bus fares, buying a Coca Cola, and boarding their next flight by using their phone.  We are living in the future!

Today, the intelligent companies are using qr codes and smartphone enable sites (very important… you don’t want to send your customer to your website… their smart phone can’t view/navigate it properly) to improve the customer experience .  When you are ready to give it a go, please keep these great tips in mind:

Creating a Code

Use QR Codes… they are the most prevalent and the easiest to read.  Many companies have created great FREE readers available for use with smart phones and tablets.  (Scan Life is a great option)  You can also create a free QR Code @ www.QRCodeGenius.com.  They are TRUE genius’ by the way!

Content is key

Do NOT send them to your website!  Create a smartphone enabled website specifically for viewing on a smartphone.  There are a number of great companies already creating customized QR Codes and Smart Sites (smart phone enabled websites).  We found a few that give you the chance to create your own site in a few minutes for only $99.

• Fashionistas: www.DesignQRew.com
• Salon Owners: www.SalonScan.com
• Musicians, Bands, DJs: www.RockStarScan.com
• Models and actresses: www.HotChickScan.com

Keep it fresh

It is imporant, and quite simple, to keep you content new, current, vibrant and relative!

“A lot of people think they can just put the bar code on wherever they want and leave it there,” Jordan says. “Lots of campaigns fail because there’s a call to action, and the call to action is poor.”

Bonterra, for instance, alters its outgoing content to match changing wine varietals or seasonal pairings. “The options are unlimited with the tags,” McGuire says. “We can change what’s on the back end of the tag any time.”

Instructions are important

QR codes are still quite a new phenomenon in the United States, so customers are still becoming aware of what they are, how they work and what they need to scan them.  We  recommend including instructions along with your qr code (within your ad campaign) to let your customers know how to use the qr code.

Gather Data

The best campaigns we have seen (like the Calvin Klein ad… pictured) are finding ways to get their customers to give them their email address, LIKE them on facebook or FOLLOW them on twitter!  If you can do this you have created an extremely successful campaign.

“You need to collect analytics to justify to boss why you didn’t waste their money,” Whiting says. “You know whether it worked or not.  If that is the case, you have the opportunity to build your list”

IF you want an awesome customized Smartphone enabled website (Smart Site) visit one of the sites mentioned above or you can also try www.BuildYourOwnSmartSite.com

SHOW ~ Let’s face it, we live in a visual society.

Nobody wants to take the time to navigate through a traditional website on their smart phone or actually read a blog.

By using a QR code linking directly to a portfolio designed for smart phones you can show off your before/after photos, up-do’s, extension work, etc. This is an easy way to link your future customers directly to what they want to know; Is your salon or day spa any good? Can they entrust you with their gorgeous locks? You’re building credibility within your community.

TELL ~ Speaking of credibility; One of the easiest ways to block out your competition and gain some street cred is by linking consumers directly to reviews of your salon or day spa. Now, this can work against you if you’re getting negative reviews or your customers are simply not writing reviews. Keep in mind as well that Google now takes into account the reviews on your Google map listing in regards to your SEO ranking.

My advice, use a QR code that your customers can scan after they have used your services that will link them directly to a review page. The more positive feedback you receive the higher your search engine results will be, thus granting you more clout in your community and more customers.

TRACK ~ A great use of QR codes is using them to build your list. Your list is what will drive your business. Use a QR code as a how-to video or link them to a coupon. When they scan the code, before they can see the video or get the coupon they must enter their name and email address. This is a powerful way to build your list by providing viewers with something simple and easy.

TO BUILD YOUR OWN SMART PHONE ENABLED QR CODE SMART SITE VISIT: www.SalonScan.com

What are some of the ways you would use QR Codes in Salons and Day Spas?

www.Barcodekitchen.com

Using QR codes to link to your social media profiles is just good marketing.

There is no faster way to spread the word about happy hour drink specials or lunch specials than by harboring the use of social media. By using a QR code that links directly to your social media profiles you’re simplifying the process for your customers to connect with you. Instead of having to type in your name and search for your company they simply scan and the code and click the link. Done and DONE.Now you have a way to retain their business and connect with your target audience.

Carbs, protein, fat, oh my!
How many times have you been sitting in a restaurant and wondered how many calories you just ingested? Have you ever tried to search for nutritional facts on your smart phone while trying to navigate a traditional website? It’s impossible and I generally give up after three minutes, completely frustrated. I then try to convince myself that fried cheese sticks contain zero calories and they are actually healthy. Thus, blowing my diet and being frustrated. Now obviously, I know that fried cheese, or anything fried for that matter is not healthy. However, I would appreciate a chart with nutritional facts easy and accessible. I would dine a restaurant that provided this more often. The use of a QR code for this purpose is helpful and again, it takes the guess work and frustration out of the dining experience.

TO BUILD YOUR OWN SMART PHONE ENABLED QR CODE SMART SITE VISIT:

www.Barcodekitchen.com

These are just two examples of how using QR codes internally can help your restaurant thrive. What are some of the ways you would make use of QR codes internally?

As amazed as I am with Kohl’s coupons, customer service and not to mention the cleanliness of their stores…I’m sad to announce that their QR Code landing page left much to be desired. While their website is mobile enabled, it just doesn’t give me a reason to connect with their company. Sure, I can shop on my smart phone but can I follow you on twitter, “like” you on facebook, sign up for email or text notifications? No, I can’t. I have no reason to further connect with Kohl’s. A couple of things they did right was add a store locater – now I can navigate myself to the nearest Kohl’s after scanning their QR Code and I can check on my Kohl’s store credit card from their mobile landing page.

If I had been in charge of Kohl’s mobile landing page I would I had a much simpler design. Thier logo – maybe a video commercial, definitely a facebook and twitter icon, an email signup form and a coupons page. Their tagline is “The more you know the more you Kohls” Well Kohl’s – the more you connect with your target audience the more they know about you hence leading to more purchasing from your fine establishment. To get a customized mobile landing page visit www.PointScanGo.com for only $249 they will build a mobile landing page that opens up perfectly in a smart phones web browser.

How neat was that huh? It’s so simple, yet elegant in how to effectively use a QR code to enhance a resume and a similar strategy could be done to drive your business marketing strategy for restaurants, day spas, sales professionals, retailers, manufacturers, distributors, and anyone with a business card.

However, there are companies that ineffectively use QR codes that send users straight to a non-friendly mobile enabled websites, making it difficult for users to navigate through the important information.

So, you want to grab your own QR code but don’t know where to begin? I have a solution for you then. Welcome to QRCodesSites.com, a QR code developmental company for industry specific services that combines branding, smartphone scanning technology, strategy and social media marketing. QRCodeSites.com helps you build or gives you the tools to build the best mobile marketing websites design for smart phones at an amazing price.

QRCodeSites.com offers two options of your customized smart site:

1. For $299 ($20 a month in hosting fees), a team of talented graphic designers will build a custom-made smart site.
2. For a limited time offer, for $99, you can choose a Do-It-Yourself option with QRCodeSites.com custom-made smart site builder in five steps in five minutes or less!

QRCodeSites.com provides valuable tools and resources, a great price, and a leading edge to your mobile marketing? If those are not great incentives, then I’m not sure what is! Contact QRCodeSites.com for more information to get started on you own smart site.

Link for “clicking here” – http://vimeo.com/21228618

Office Max’s mobile enabled Smart Site has a lot of data on it. You can view their weekly ad, Check your MaxPerks, Sign up for email and/or text updates and use the Store Locator feature. All options are easily accessible from your smart phones web browser.

Office Max has even made it easy to order items using your smart phone. Their smart phone enabled website is one of the better examples of an e-commerce company that is doing it right. Other companies should learn from this excellent example of a Smart Smart used as a landing page for a QR Code campaign. Office Max is giving me many ways and reasons to connect with them. If I’m connecting with Office Max via their email list, social media profiles, through my MaxPerks card, getting text messages and shopping on my smart phone then clearly Office Max is winning my business. By taking the extra time to execute their QR Code campaign effectively they’re gaining loyal customers who they are also able to market to 24/7.

Awesome job Office Max!

If you want a smart phone enabled website you need to talk to the folk over at www.PointScanGo.com. They know what they’re doing and we trust them!

When I look at a QR code, I think of warehouse packaging, keeping track of parts and ironically enough, QR codes began as tracking vehicle parts in a manufacturing company. In essence, the QR code design looks industrial for my taste and needs some aesthetic changes to match what you’re advertising.

For example, if I wanted to create an ice-cream social event and use QR codes for people to scan to receive event information, I would change the color that matches the event atmosphere, perhaps, baby blue? Round the corners to make it look softer on the eye, and add an ice cream cone design within the QR code.

While QR codes maybe not as mainstreamed…yet, having a beautiful design for your QR codes can put your marketing team ahead of the competition. Statistics show that 52 percent of people have heard or seen QR codes, but only 28 percent have scanned. Why is that? There could be many factors from lack of experience scanning the QR code, not well informed about QR codes, or like me, just purely un-attracted to the design of the QR code.

However, on the flip side a company can create a masterful work of art of a QR code but lacks incentive value or sending your users to a non-mobile page, making it near impossible for audience to navigate through the website. That’s why you need to check out www.buildyourownsmartsite.com. They specialize in creating mobile site they call Smart Sites that open up beautifully in smart phone web browsers!

The natural eye is attracted to bright colors, flashing lights, and quick movements. Have you seen a cyclist at night with their flashing rear or head light? What about the splendid colors and appeal of a garden? Did that not attract you in some way or another? QR codes can be designed beautifully with function to match but it is only a matter of time before QR codes hit mainstream, and knowing how to use both design and function will keep your brand in the cutting edge of marketing and technology.