But what are they anyway and how can we use them to promote our events or venues?
QR Codes are bar codes generated by marketers that, when scanned with a smartphone, take the consumer to a website, display a message, or even add the business’ contact information directly to the person’s phone. Think of adding them to a direct mail piece to planners, leading them to your Unique Venues’ profile page. At tradeshows, have one ready for planners to scan to add your contact information to their phones automatically. Want to run a promotion? Include a coupon code in your QR code’s display message.
Sure, these barcodes aren’t exactly everywhere – yet. However, smartphone usage is continually increasing, with the proportion of mobile device owners who use their phone to access the internet quadrupling in the U.S. over the past four years, according to a new report from Strategy Analytics. Companies specializing in mobile marketing through QR codes are popping up.
QuikQR.com offers a free and simple way to generate your own QR code. Just type in the web address or message you want scanners to see, select the size of the QR code you want, and hit “generate.” On the next screen, you'll see your QR code. Right click (Cntrl+click for Mac users) and select “Save As.”
That will save your QR code as an image file, able to be added to direct mail pieces, your Facebook status, or in your email signatures. The possibilities are broad, especially when you look into paid QR code generators, like those through kaywa.com .
Post your QR code! And tell us how you're planning to use it.