Nokia3650 - Circa 2005
Right before Thanksgiving, I finally made the plunge to retire my antiquated phone of 5 years.
After waiting patiently for the past 1-2 years, the time has arrived: technologies have converged, the price is right, and more importantly, the consumer market is here.
Chances are, you either have an iPhone, a Blackberry, or an Android device. Or if you’re even feeling lucky, maybe you have an iPad.
(BTW, if you don’t really need an iPad right now, DO NOT put it in your Christmas wishlist. Wait for the 2nd generation sometime in the Spring.)
If you don’t have any of the above, then your target customer will probably have a smartphone, especially if they’re younger.
The fact is, about 30% of US mobile phones are smart; they’re as capable as your laptop computer. More importantly, market penetration is rapidly on the rise.
Millions of consumers are out on the street, looking for your product or service, on the internet, using their mobile device.
Wouldn’t you like these people to find you?
Take a picture of this QR code, using your smartphone's Barcode Scanner
Let’s take it one step at a time, and for today, let’s talk about Quick Response (QR) codes.
Do you see an image of my business card in the top left side of this blog post? (If not, click the title of this post.) The QR code is the black and white checkered square on the upper right hand corner of the card.
If your mobile phone has a camera, then it most likely will have a bar code scanner. If not, download a free application from the App Store or Android Marketplace. Blackberry, Windows and Nokia Symbian phones should also have their own scanners.
Now go ahead and scan the QR code on my business card, right from your computer screen.
What do you see? Magically, you have now obtained my contact information: name, phone number, email, web address, etc.
On an Android device, you have 3 options:
- Save the contact info
- Call me on my phone
- Send me an email
Isn’t that cool? No more manual data entry!
So now you ask, “How do I get that QR code on my business card?”
Go to http://snapmyinfo.com/vcard/ to create your own QR code. (Note that it is in vCard format; you can import it to your Outlook database.)
Download the generated image, and take it to your business card vendor. Or print it on a sticker, and stick the QR code on your phone.
So next time you go to a social networking event, offer your own QR code, instead of physically exchanging business cards. Sooner than you may think, this is going to be the new way of meeting people.
How else can we use this?
Create QR codes for your brick-and-mortar store location.
If you own a restaurant, for example, print a QR code for your web page that displays your menu. Post it by your door.
As people pass by, they can scan the code, and look at your specials from their phone.
But maybe they’re in a rush to get to a boutique store, right before it closes. So they quickly scan your QR code, and then immediately head over next door to buy that dress on sale.
QR codes can pack a lot of valuable information for your customer – including engaging video!
Would a video help you sell more?
With your menu in their phone, they can look it over while waiting in line to pay for the dress they just bought.
Even better, what if you have a video of your sizzling steak, to go along with your menu descriptions?
And speaking of payments, do you know that you can also print QR codes to enable your customer to pay via Paypal or as a debit from your bank account? This is more secure than your credit card.
Mobile payments can eventually take the place of credit and debit cards. PortaPayments is an example of a payment processing application for Android devices.
This is a lot easier than you think.
Think of the QR code just like a picture. The difference is, you don’t have to pose for the camera, and worry about your hair.
Just enter your information. Click the button. Get the QR image. Download it. Print it in your business card. Hang it on your door. Post it on your website.
Use it like any other picture – cut and paste simplicity!
QR codes are just the beginning. It’s easier than you think, so don’t get intimidated. Get your feet wet in mobile marketing.
So what do you think? Leave your comments or questions below.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Good info, Dennis. Yet, most people (even most business owners) will NOT see the benefit (to their bottom line) or the practicality.
Reality is, QR codes BEGIN the transition to mobile marketing opportunities. “Web Profit Engineers” like you are on the cutting edge, bringing local Spokane biz people actionable marketing strategies.
Will THEY listen and take action?
My guess is that most will continue to pay YellowPages, pay for newspaper or TV ads; and/or cross their fingers & hope this Internet “thing” doesn’t hurt them.
1. To start, biz people simply need to agree mobile marketing is here, only to explode tomorrow, next week & next year.
2. Next, biz people need to decide whether they’re a DIYer or willing to pay someone like you to create and implement a strategy for them, based on their budget (as they redirect some money to mobile marketing).
3. Most importantly, biz people must realize mobile marketing is NOT a panacea or get rich quick lure. It’s solid marketing strategy predicated on emerging (and exploding) technology…that REAL CUSTOMERS are using to be consumers!
Best to you, Dennis.
Mike
P.S. On ALL my marketing info, I too use QR codes. I don’t prefer the v-card though. I want smart phone users to be able to take a picture of my qr code (contact info) and make it easy for them to save it to their phones. On my real estate yard signs, buyers now don’t have to open EMPTY flier boxes or call the list agent just for pricing info or # of bedrooms/baths/sq footage, etc.
From their cars pulled up in front of the house, house hunters can scan my QR code on the yard sign & instantly see complete DETAILS, PHOTOS & VIDEO about the house. (IF) they’re interested, they can call me for more info. I give THEM the choice. I don’t FORCE people to call me – as most house hunters hate calling a real estate agent whom they believe will try to sell them something they don’t want.
QR codes offer CHOICE and CONVENIENCE…to our potential & existing customers.
You’re absolutely right Mike.
The vCard format is probably not the best strategy for you as a realtor.
I do like your property-specific QR codes. It’s more inviting for the prospective home buyer.
That’s the beauty of this technology. We can put anything we want on the QR code.
Great article, I see this being highly useful starting next year with creative marketers during events. It has so many wonderful and creative uses for Authors, Speakers, Coaches, Consultants and Trainers. I actually have several events my team and I are planning to use this very strategy. I will let you know the results.
Thanks Dennis.
I have been using the biz barcode app on my iPad to generate QR codes for our advertisers, and we are seeing a great response.
Hi Paul, since you are in the book business, I’m curious if you know what is the adoption rate of Microsoft Tags (their own version of bar codes) vs. the universal QR codes?
There is also something called snaptags. They let people without smartphones snap a picture, send it via SMS or email to a shortcode or go@snaptag.mobi, & receive a text containing info. The problem with them is that the only way to create them is to contact snaptag to have one made. You can’t create them on your own through a website, or apps like bizbarcode. I use bizbarcode also.