5 posts categorized "QR Codes"

Entry By Angela Stringfellow

There are skeptics around every corner in every industry and segment of life. Mobile marketing is no exception and the biggest victim: Quick Response (QR) Codes. Naysayers are quick to say they are a passing fad or will never amount to a resourceful marketing tool, but if they are done consistently and correctly, they have a shot at becoming one of the most widely used, interactive components in a mobile marketing strategy.

With the increasing domination of smartphones, mobile marketing is here to stay. Smartphones already own 44 percent of the mobile phone market share, according to a Nielsen report. And, the actual usage of these little black boxes increased by more than 4,000 percent since 2010, but account for only a little more than 6 percent adoption within the smartphone marketplace.

According to ScanLife, the largest demographic that has adopted the use of QR Codes are 25- to 34-year-olds, with 35- to 44-year-olds close behind. In addition 35 percent make between $50,000 and $100,000 per year.

But a very precise and important demographic is missing.  Young adults, in particular college students, are not using the QR codes. The use of smartphones among students is an astonishing 80 percent. However, only 21 percent have admitted to scanning a QR code and 75 percent of those report they were not likely to scan a code again.

Since college students usually adopt new technology more quickly than others, marketers are left to wonder why this technology is not catching on.  Perhaps because the information provided with QR codes simply isn't appealing to that demographic.

So why have the QR codes been slow to adapt in some markets? The answer isn’t clear, but there are some industries, both big and small, that could easily take advantage of such an easy and ever-increasing technology.  The problem is that the consumers need to know what they are, why they are there and how to use them and statistics show, this isn't happening. As the QR codes gain in public use and acceptance this will more than likely happen naturally.

But if QR codes do gain in popularity, there are a few industries that can take advantage of this mobile strategy by easily incorporating them into their existing campaigns and making them more relevant.

Real Estate: By placing QR codes on “For Sale” or "For Rent" signs or mailbox fliers, potential buyers scouting out neighborhoods can quickly and easily get a glimpse behind the door of a home that piques their interest. New home buyers or college grads moving out on their own for the first time can quickly and easily weed out apartments and houses that don't fit their needs with virtual tours.

Car Dealers: The same method can be used with new and used cars. Many shoppers take advantage of the dealerships’ Sunday hours to peruse vehicles without fear of being badgered by salesmen. With a quick scan of a QR code placed on a window sticker, the buyer can see performance information, details on amenities. The QR code could also link to a payment calculator.

Event Industry: For large and small venues, local and national performers or even for community events, QR Codes can be used to provide details about a coming event. A brief preview of a performance or behind-the-scenes peek at the show, ticket availability and show times or links to ticket sales and arena seating charts, can easily provide to consumers the information that can lead to direct sales and sold-out shows.

Home Improvement/Housewares: Have you ever wandered into a home improvement store and been confused about the difference between a reciprocating saw and a miter saw? Product packaging or display QR codes can provide tips and tricks on how the tools are used or instructional videos on how to unclog drains or install a light fixture. This would be a wonderful tool for first-time homeowners or for young adults living on their own for the first time.

The opportunities are endless. A little “out of the box” thinking and the QR code can be used for virtually every industry. As the codes become more recognized and more readily used, they will be an inexpensive way to elaborate on what used to be a stagnant form of advertising. They can take a black and white newspaper ad and make it a living, breathing experience or virtually open the doors to the home of your dreams.

Have you considered incorporating QR codes into your marketing mix? How are you working to incorporate the younger demographics into your strategy? What has your experience been?

7 Easy Last Minute Ways To Boost Your Small Business’s Holiday Sales With Digital Marketing is the fifth in a series of articles that we'll be posting this fall. Small Business Marketing Tips To Build Sales In A Down Economy will teach you how to use do-it-yourself tools like SMS, email and social media to effectively market your business.

Entry By Jason Brick

The holiday season -- those heady weeks from Black Friday to Christmas Eve -- is the happiest time of the fiscal year for most retailers. People are out and about shopping and spending, but competition for their business is fierce. 

The best results for getting customers in your store come when you've been working your marketing plan for some time, but that's not always easy for small businesses. Whether you're running late, or want to boost sales when the season isn't what you'd hoped for, digital marketing can give you the real-time boost you need.

1. Put your keyword and short codes on everything--print, voice, radio, and electronic ads
The more people they reach, the larger your blast list will be. The larger your blast list, the better performance you'll see from your digital marketing efforts.

2. Include QR (quick response) codes on all print and display ads
This lets people sign up for your messages or other mobile-oriented content with the push of a camera button on a smartphone.

3. Hold events in the middle of the week
Weekend sales put you in competition with everybody; midweek you'll get more attention. Announce events through your email, SMS, and social media networks. A countdown starting three days out is a good way to stay front of mind.

4. Take advantage of pay-per-click advertising like Google AdWords
These offer same-day implementation, real-time tracking, and complete control over final cost. They can save the day, even after print and radio advertising deadlines are long past. 

5. Offer extra benefits
Give people who opt in to your SMS marketing programs something special, like early admission to a major sale or an extra 5% discount. They'll become more engaged with your company, and share your keywords with friends. Similarly, you can offer a special bonus for people who share your posts and bring in more fans for your social media.

6. Don't let four business hours go by without making contact
People are out and about throughout the season. If one message catches them with family, the next might find them just around the corner from your shop. Many people are frugal and check their list twice when holiday shopping, but others are susceptible to impulse gifting.

7. Keep the campaign rolling
The weeks just after Christmas keep retailers busy with money from gift cards and exchanged merchandise. Your digital campaign will bring some of that money your way. You can also focus your SMS and email coupons to help clear extra stock that didn't move during the holiday rush.

How to Effectively Use QR Codes is the first in a series of articles that we'll be posting this fall. Small Business Marketing Tips To Build Sales In A Down Economy will teach you how to use do-it-yourself tools like SMS, email and social media to effectively market your business.

Entry By Simit Patel

Perhaps you've seen these black and white squares that look a bit like a Rorschach test on a billboard, in a display ad on public transportation, or in a magazine, and wondered about them.

They're QR codes. QR is an abbreviation for Quick Response. Like a bar code that's scanned by the cashier at the supermarket, a QR code  can be scanned by consumers using smartphones to get information about a product or service.

Introduced in 1994 by Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota, QR codes have recently gained a second life as a marketing tool. Accessing a code can unlock a variety of goodies for customers, from discounts, to reminders, to smartphone applications.

Codes allow companies to build relationships with customers. They offer businesses insight into consumers buying habits and needs, allowing them to spend ad dollars more effectively while creating more personalized offerings for shoppers. 

So what's the first step in the QR code process?

1. Find the right partners
If you're not a software developer, finding technology partners is key to the execution of a successful program. Firms like SmartyTags can help you create the code, and firms like Ez Texting can help you disseminate the message.

2. Decide where to place them for maximum return
Along with finding the best technology partners for your business, you also need to determine where to advertise them. Customers will be accessing the codes and the information on them via a smartphone, so you need to figure out where you can best reach your target audience. 

In addition to obvious places like ads in magazines, newspapers, and other print media, you also want to include them on display panels at trade shows, in store windows that sell complementary products, and on your business cards. 

3. Determine what to offer to entice potential buyers
Use your creativity to decide what information you want the user to receive after scanning the code. Just about anything is a possibility. You can send a coupon redeemable at your store just for accessing the code. You can offer a discount for liking your Facebook page; you can even invite viewers to participate in a poll or contest, and further engage their interest. 

As smartphones become increasingly commonplace and powerful, QR codes will present ever-increasing marketing opportunities. So investing in QR marketing now, will help you build a foundation for the future. What's a trend today, has the potential of rising to the forefront of digital marketing, as technology progresses. 

Other resources: Ez Texting QR Code Generator

A research firm called Lab42 recently published the results of an interesting study of consumer QR code awareness and adoption. Some findings:

• 58% of respondents knew what a QR Code was
• Of that group 67% saw a QR Code in a magazine, 62% in a retail store, and 40% on billboards

They put together a large infographic, which you can check out at their blog.

Want to setup a QR-Code powered widget for your Ez Texting account? Check out our guide. 

It seems like QR Codes are everywhere lately. We see them on billboards and in storefronts all around New York City. That got us thinking about ways to integrate QR Codes into Ez Texting - which led us to create a a demo that uses QR Codes and Mobile Optimized Signup Widgets for on the go signups.

Check out the demo and let us know if you'd like to add QR Code powered Signup Widgets to Ez Texting in the future.

If you want to do this right now, the demo has step-by-step instructions for generating QR codes that you can use for on the go signups.