In this digital mobile age there are many exciting methods of communicating to your audience, one of the lesser known but exciting ways is via a QR code.
What is a QR Code?
A QR code is essentially a barcode which stores information and can be read by a QR scanner.
QR standing for Quick Response, the code can store a variety of information i.e. website address, small advert, contact information etc.
QR codes were initially used in the motor vehicle industry by Toyota, the benefits of these codes were soon realized and the codes were adopted into everyday life.
Reading a QR Code
Like other barcodes, QR codes require a reader to decipher the code and load the information. There are a variety of code readers available and there’s a good chance that if you DON’T own an iPhone then you can still find one for your phone.
The software uses your phones camera, mine for example you simply load the software, click the scan button and the reader does the rest, displaying a website, showing me a text message etc.
Download code reading software from iTunes or try this QR code software site.
What are some good uses for a QR code?
Since these codes are so versatile and can store a variety of data its uses are wide and varied.
I’ve included some more interesting examples here:
- Real Estate Signs – add scan code to get details about the land
- Public Transport Ads – add scan code to get contact info
- Games – scan codes an extra interactive game play dimension that launch a video
- Restaurant Menu – scan code for the recipe
- LinkedIn Page – add your scan code with your contact info
- Webinar – integrate scan codes into your webinar for additional content
- PowerPoint – engage your audience with bonus content i.e. first and last slide has a scan code with your contact info
How do you Make a QR Code
Making a QR code is simple, there’s a variety of free tools available on the web that enable you to enter in your message and create the code.
Generally speaking it’s a 3 step process:
- Select the code type
- Enter the message
- Cick the button
I’ve provided a link to a couple of popular QR code tools here:
http://qrcode.kaywa.com/
http://delivr.com/qr-code-generator
Though QR codes are generally still “new” the correct application of the code in the right medium can be very powerful.
As we all become more and more mobile I believe QR codes will become a much more valuable communication tool in business, marketing and advertising.
If anyone has an interesting example of QR codes being used I’d love to hear about it and share this with the other readers.
an interesting example of QR codes being used I’d love to hear about it and share this with the other readers.