QR CODES: WHAT ARE THEY AND HOW TO USE THEM
They look like miniature crossword puzzles, but really they are powerful marketing tools. QR codes are an emerging technology. They are not quite main stream yet, but they are catching on quickly. The acronym “QR” actually stands for “quick response” code. At a rapidly growing pace, more and more of these codes are being used across advertising mediums. QR codes look like little digital squares or mini-crossword puzzles. You can easily find them in magazines and online advertisements. They are being used to share additional information about services, products, and locations to people with smart phones. The reason being is that QR codes must be scanned in order to be read. Smart phones have a built in QR reader. In fact, QR readers are becoming a standard feature on most cell phones today. To scan a QR code, you simply take a picture of the code with your smart phone camera. Once the code is scanned by your phone’s camera, it can take you to a website, map, or even call a phone number. The destination depends on how the QR code was programmed to function. Try it yourself! The next time you see a QR code, scan it with your phone and see how it works. You’ll quickly understand the power of its marketing capabilities. The technology is amazing, but how can it benefit you? Think about your own ads, your business cards, your flyers, and basically any promotional material you customarily give away. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to provide even more information? Perhaps you would like to link people to your website or a YouTube video! The possibilities of the QR code are endless. Here’s a free source to make your very own QR code: http://www.QRstuff.com You can make a QR code and download it. Print it on labels, t-shirts, mugs, or even your business card. But keep in mind the technology is mobile. So anything you do with the QR code should be mobile friendly. For example, don’t direct people to a website with a lot of animation or one that is not mobile friendly. Also, the technology is still emerging, so don’t rely merely on the QR code alone. But rather use it to enhance your ads and to provide valuable information that is more effective in a mobile version. The GuRuStu Group can help you with powerful ads and innovative ways to incorporate new technology like QR codes in your advertising and marketing measures. We welcome you to visit our website http://www.gurustugroup.com and learn about the many services we provide. We would enjoy the opportunity to discuss your branding and marketing strategies. About Author Beverly McDaniel works in advertising and public relations and is a Partner at the GuRuStu Group. Disclaimer: Article submitters are solely responsible for the content of their articles. ArtiLib can't be held liable for the contents of the articles. Report Abuse | Browse By Category |
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