This post is meant to provide you with a general understanding of what QR codes are, their potential for marketing and your interactive experience.
“A QR code is a specific matrix bar code (or two-dimensional code), readable by dedicated QR bar code readers and camera phones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be text, URL or other data.” ~ Wikipedia
The World Park Campaign
Let’s Take a Walk
QR code poster in Central Park (New York, NY)
QR codes allow someone to scan/photograph a code – for example, the picture to the right. Once a code is scanned, the code will then pull the information from whatever source was used to generate it. This code enables someone to virtually consume information about various items, be it history, arts and culture, geology, music, etc. In this example, a QR code makes the experience richer for Central Park visitors, providing the opportunity for a casual stroll through the Central Park to be an interactive learning experience. It’s fun for the whole family.
When creating the QR code, programmers can put a vast amount of information behind them. Instead of giving a potential client a plain, old, boring, standard business card that has some copy on it, or a pamphlet crammed with a lot of copy and some images on really shiny and expensive paper, you can provide them with an eye-catching business card with your picture and a QR code. Once scanned, the code could then take that person to your LinkedIn account, website or wherever you decide is best.
For a list of some other creative ideas on how QR codes could be used, take a look at this post: 50 Creative Uses for QR Codes.
Networking
Imagine, if you will, that you are at a conference. Let’s say, just for giggles, you’re at the most recent installment of SXSWi. You have a breakthrough digital product/service that will revolutionize the way you present an elevator pitch. You are in an elevator on your way to your hotel room, and immediately to your left is the CEO of some company who just so happens to be in Austin for something other than SXSWi. Time to pitch. But here’s the catch: your product/service is hosted in the cloud. Now what?
You pitch on that elevator like you have never pitched before, and you give that person you’re pitching a card with your picture, some other bits of information and nothing but a funny black-and-white square made up of more funny-looking designs. You say something to the effect of, “Go ahead. Scan it. This funky little square provides a wealth of knowledge and power that you can utilize to help benefit you, your employees, your customers and your company.”
Possibilities
QR codes could (possibly) save you money. It might only be a few dollars here and there, but, in the long run, it could be tens of thousands. For example, instead of paying for a 1/4-page, 4-color ad in the local paper, you can submit a small 1.5″ x 1.5″ black-and-white square that will cost you far less but could possibly garner more engagement than the color ad. The reason? Humans are curious creatures.
Look at this square. You probably noticed this QR code before noticing anything else on this half of the page – especially this sentence you are now reading. After you finish reading this post, go ahead and scan it. You’ll be glad you did.
You can cut down on your use of paper with QR codes, because everything is online. In my honest opinion, there is no need for a mountain of paper containing the same information that can be thrown onto a website (with the potential to be seen by everyone).
QR codes are not limited with respect to virtual information; they are limited only by your imagination.
Note: *In order to access the amount of detail that is behind these codes, you need a QR code scanner. There are plenty in the Android Market and the iPhone App store.
Here is a list of great FREE QR code resources:
- Kaywa QR-Code Generator
- Kaywa Code Reader
- BeQRious Code Generator
- Barcode Scanner – Android Phone QR Code Reader
- Top 10 iPhone QR Code Readers
Photo & Video credit: Agency Magma
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This is a great write up Lawrence, and dead on. Thanks for including the team Cbus pics too.
One of the funniest things we saw at SXSW was how many people used QR’s as a gimmick. The shining example was a start up that decided it was a good idea to have women in tight shirts and short shorts walk around and hand out cupcakes with QR’s in the icing.
Cute, right? But fail, YES!
The QR on the icing was completely un readable because the code was not laid on a flat surface. This is very important.
We also saw people who had a QR code as the backdrop of a booth. Please, don’t do this. As tightly as the isles were in the exhibition hall, you practically had to stand in someone else’s booth to scan it.
Food for thought if you are going to use QR’s…
Thanks Nate.
You had me at icing.
I was wondering why you had so many pics of QR codes all over the Team Cbus flickr page. Truth is, that is kind of what sparked the idea of the post.
I bet the icing on the cupcake QR would have worked had they taken into account viewing angles (if they were serious about it). If that had been accounted for and if the shot was taken from directly above, then the scanner (in theory) wouldn’t even notice the dimensions in the icing.
Hello,
we believe that QR codes will make the connection between offline and online worlds easier. That’s why we created our QR code generator with social features – YouScan.me – http://www.youscan.me. You can add all your info like Facebook profile or fan page, twitter, youtube, etc. and connect with others.
Cheers