Got Code?©  QR Codes That Is...!
Easy-To-Understand Guide To Using & Creating QR Codes
Written by: Elizabeth Tackett
 

What Are QR Codes?   QR Codes, aka "quick response or read" codes are pictures that look like funky looking pac-man mazes that allow a wide variety of information to be transmitted to consumers.

How Do You Read Them?   People "reading" the codes do so by quickly scanning (taking a picture of) them with a smart phone.

What Do You Need On Your SmartPhone To Read The Codes?   To read the codes you need a functioning camera on your smart phone and then you simply download an app to your smart phone that gives you the ability to scan the QR codes.  When you scan these codes the information will be downloaded into your phone.

Where Do I Get These Apps?   You can do a search for a "code scanner" or "QR code reader" in your apps store on your phone, or also from your smart phone visit one of these popular ones:

iPhone  =  Inigma
Android  =  Barcode Scanner or Quickmark or Red Laser 
KAYWA Reader   
i-nigma Reader    
Lynkee Reader   
UpCode                  
QuickMark            
SnapMaze            
BeeTagg                
NeoReader           
ScanLife               

What Types Of Information Can Be Transmitted With QR Codes?

• Links to: Websites / Blogs / Social Media Accts
• Pictures & Photo Albums
• Videos & Audio  (YouTube or iTunes)
• eBooks / eNewsletters / Articles
• Contact Information Such As Phone Numbers or Email Addresses
• PayPal Buy Now Links For Products Or Events
• Maps & Directions
• Plain Text
• Facebook "Like" Buttons

How Do You Create A QR Code?   It's FREE to create standard QR codes.  Just do an online search for "QR Code Generator" and you will find plenty.

What If I Want To Rock My Branding With A Custom Branded QR Code?   You can definitely get some amazing custom codes designed but be prepared to fork out some money for them - from several hundred to a few thousand.  

How Do QR Codes Benefit My Business Or Event?  They can benefit your business or event in several ways:

• They're "green" - there's no paper with information or coupons for people to carry around or toss out.
• They can cross-connect print with electronic advertising giving added purposes and value to marketing materials (ie... brochure can link to a YouTube video)
• They encourage people to act more quickly (ie... at a trade show they can "Like" your FB Page right at your booth, whereas they may forget after they get home.)
• They're rather "techie" and they're new & people like the idea of using their smart phones
• The information goes right into their phones so it's not likely to be lost or tossed out so quickly.

I Don't Own A Business - How Do QR Codes Benefit Me Personally? A lot of the same ways as above...

• They're environmentally friendly, The information is in your phone so you won't lose it so easily, etc...
• The same app that scans your QR Code will usually be able to scan bar codes of products at stores.  Some of the apps will give you the locations & prices of the same products within say a 10 mile radius of your location. This is great for comparision shopping.
• Also, the same apps when reading bar codes can sometimes link to Consumer Digest Reports or similar.

Where Do I Use QR Codes?

• Business Cards - Link to client/product testimonials, Directions to your store/event, Free "how to" tips
• Brochures & Other Printed Materials - Link to your company video & make that personal connection, Show your product in action,
• Company Vehicles - Link to your brochure or company video so passengers (not drivers) can scan you on the go or while you're parked somewhere
• Product Tags - Link to more information about a product
• Packaging - Link to a special coupon to say thank you for purchasing & to encourage return customers
• Store Windows - Link to restaurant menus, Class schedules ie... yoga classes,  Your brochure  (this is especially useful in reaching those passersby who aren't ready to come in or don't want to because they're afraid of a "hard sell."
• Trade Shows - Collect email addresses (keeps you from having to hand-type them into your database)
• Customer Feedback Forms Or Surveys
• Real Estate Signs - Link to virtual tours or documents
• Promotional Items - Use on mousepads, coffee mugs, post-it notes, hats, etc.

What Are Some Fun Uses For QR Codes?

• Singles or Networking Events - Create T-Shirts with codes on the back that contain trivia about each person to start off the conversations!  ie... "Meet Sally! She likes biking, strawberry ice cream, and travel."
• Treasure Hunts - Place numerous codes around an area or city & give rewards for people who scan them all.  Great as an incentive to get people to visit certain locations and a great way for businesses to collaborate!
• Neighborhood Open House Day - Organize a neighborhood Open House Day with other real estate brokers.  Have all your houses open during the same time, put flyers with maps to all the properties in each house. Put QR codes at every house & give rewards for people who've scanned each one.
• Neighborhood Garage Sale Day - Same concept as above but for garage sales.
• Riddles - Place a code that links to an audio track or riddle of some sort.  Offer a prize for every person that scans the code then correctly identifies the voice or answers the riddle & emails the answer to you.

What Types Of Items Can I Put QR Codes On?   QR Codes can be printed or placed on just about anything with a fairly smooth surface.

So go ahead, let your imagination run wild and use QR Codes to increase your business and get more information to your customers more quickly, or just enjoy reading them with your smart phone in magazines and around town!  

~ Tackett Internet Marketing, LLC

Copyright Protected 2011 All Rights Reserved Tackett Internet Marketing, LLC

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