QR Code Marketing!

[ronedjs]

Just an idea, been using similar ones at the school i work in for the facebook and twitter accounts. Most of the kids seem the know what to do with them, and pretty much all of them have some sort of smart phone!

Just an idea! whats your thoughts?

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb276/ronedjs/RONEDJSCOUKphonescanimage.png

[Cowlinn]

Fantastic idea, it's on my to do list as I do a lot of teem parties.

Really well done there, good thought. :)

[Charlie Brown]

I nearly went with this yesterday.

Nottingham Forest wanted me to sponsor them and place a advert in their diary that would be distributed to 12,000 members. It included this barcode thing.

It wasn't a silly price but I turned it down.

[yourdj]

Its a good way to get a database together for events. would be nice to have a system to automatically manage it and somehow get a list of emails instead of phone numbers. Unless you can text adverts or something?

I do not have a good phone so do not know. :(

[Larry B Entertainment]

Just want to test how well they work by generating one using a free generator online.

This one should point to the MDD :)

Can someone with a smartphone give it a try ?

[Marc J]

This one should point to the MDD :)

Can someone with a smartphone give it a try ?

That works perfectly.

What a lot of people don't realise is that there is quite a high level or error correction in these - up to 30%. Meaning you can remove quite a lot and it still works...to add your logo for example :)

See How to put your logo in a QR code (http://hackaday.com/2011/08/11/how-to-put-your-logo-in-a-qr-code/).

[Shaun]

Now that's better! :d

[Larry B Entertainment]

That works perfectly.

What a lot of people don't realise is that there is quite a high level or error correction in these - up to 30%. Meaning you can remove quite a lot and it still works...to add your logo for example :)


Nice one. I think people would sooner just scan one rather than writing a phone number or email address down

I wonder how long it will be before someone uses a qr code as part of thier actual logo.

[Shaun]

Nice one. I think people would sooner just scan one rather than writing a phone number or email address down

I wonder how long it will be before someone uses a qr code as part of their actual logo.

Best of both worlds with Marc's example. No need to write any info down but they have a visual representation of what the QR Code is associated with prior to them scanning it.

[DiscoMagic]

The problem with these QR codes is that there are still a huge number of people who don't know what these funny square things are.

I looked in to this at work (I'm a marketing manager for a mercedes van dealership), and decided with my team that it wasn't worth the time or investment at this point. Instead I think it would be better to waiting until the multinational brands pick up the concept and "educate" the public as to what these QR codes do and how to use them. You also need to download an app, to scan the code into your smartphone which causes further problems if people don't know what they are.

However the conceptual idea is really fantastic and I can see in a couple of years these will be a really strong and inexpensive way of marketing.

[wensleydale]

The problem with these QR codes is that there are still a huge number of people who don't know what these funny square things are.

I looked in to this at work (I'm a marketing manager for a mercedes van dealership), and decided with my team that it wasn't worth the time or investment at this point. Instead I think it would be better to waiting until the multinational brands pick up the concept and "educate" the public as to what these QR codes do and how to use them. You also need to download an app, to scan the code into your smartphone which causes further problems if people don't know what they are.

However the conceptual idea is really fantastic and I can see in a couple of years these will be a really strong and inexpensive way of marketing.
Whilst I dont think they'll make much difference to the average business I cant really see what the downsides would be- I dont imagine it should be cost as I cant really see what the cost would be?

[Corabar Entertainment]

That works perfectly.

What a lot of people don't realise is that there is quite a high level or error correction in these - up to 30%. Meaning you can remove quite a lot and it still works...to add your logo for example :)

See How to put your logo in a QR code (http://hackaday.com/2011/08/11/how-to-put-your-logo-in-a-qr-code/).
I'm re-doing some brochures, etc and thought I may as well add in a QR code somewhere (Why not? :p ) but I read that explanation of how to add your logo in to it, and it just sounds soooooooo complicated to do!

Anyone attempted it yet? (You've obviously got it sussed, Marc, but I meant any of us mere mortals. Can't you just plonk it on top and test to see if it works? (ie, if it's small enough not to obscure more than 30%)

Also, are any generators / readers better than others?

[discomobiledj]

Alex has one on his website - http://hostsphere.co.uk/news/item/16-free-qr-code-generator

Don't think his one (having a quick look) will do the logo bit though.

[discomobiledj]

Some instructions I found....

2) Once you’ve generated your QR Code, download the image and import it into your favorite photo editing tool that supports layers. I use PhotoShop but you can go with GIMP if you’re looking for an open source solution and Paint.net is another free option as well.

1) Now build your layers of custom design on top of your raw QR Code image. Try to visually integrate your custom design elements into the code rather than simply stacking them on top.

2) Test it with your QR Code reader to make sure your design tweaks didn’t hose your code.

3) Repeat this cycle until you’re happy with the appearance and the code is readable.


you just plonk it on top and test to see if it works? (ie, if it's small enough not to obscure more than 30%)

Essentially yes.

[Vectis]

I think it would be better to waiting until the multinational brands pick up the concept and "educate" the public as to what these QR codes do and how to use them.

Well not quite 'multinational' but this week's "offers" just dropped through the door from the Co-op and ...

[Marc J]

I'm re-doing some brochures, etc and thought I may as well add in a QR code somewhere (Why not? :p ) but I read that explanation of how to add your logo in to it, and it just sounds soooooooo complicated to do!

Anyone attempted it yet? (You've obviously got it sussed, Marc, but I meant any of us mere mortals. Can't you just plonk it on top and test to see if it works? (ie, if it's small enough not to obscure more than 30%)

Also, are any generators / readers better than others?

Basically, I just created a QRCode, saved it, brought it into Photoshop, dumped a logo on top of it (full size) and gradually reduced the size of the logo until it revealed enough of the QRCode for it to work. Before resizing align the layers so that the logo is in the middle (horizontally and vertically), then resize while holding ALT and SHIFT to keep the size ratio and position (key combo is for Photoshop). You might also want to add a layer effect like an outer stroke (about 3px) of white to have your logo stand out a little.

For the original QRCode I found www.qrstuff.com which (I think) is the one that's embedded on Alex's site. Use the "Print out your code" option as this will create a PDF which you can zoom right into and screengrab it, making a much higher resolution version for you to play with.

For readers, I had Qrafter (http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/qrafter-qr-code-reader-generator/id416098700?mt=8) on my iPad which was pretty good, but recently replaced it with Scan (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scan/id411206394?mt=8) which is also pretty good. I can't quite remember why I changed, though!

One more thing - it's best to use a URL shortening service like www.bit.ly, this'll make sure the QRCode is as simple as possible and also means you can track it's use by simply adding a "+" to it. For example, http://bit.ly/pQ9WyP goes to your site but http://bit.ly/pQ9WyP+ will show stats for it :)

[Corabar Entertainment]

:thumbsup: Suberb! ( That made sense to me :lol:)

Thanks, Marc!

[Craig - Dragon Discos]

One more thing - it's best to use a URL shortening service like www.bit.ly, this'll make sure the QRCode is as simple as possible and also means you can track it's use by simply adding a "+" to it. For example, http://bit.ly/pQ9WyP goes to your site but http://bit.ly/pQ9WyP+ will show stats for it :)
Ooh i like that! I've got a QR code I put on my flyers at wedding fayres which links to a special offers page on my site that is only linked to from the flyers code.
i really like the simple way of tracking the QR code though

[yourdj]

It was interesting to see Brian Mole today at Derek Pengaly's seminar and he had one on the front of his Macbook.
I think he was exhibiting at BPM too - not sure what did not ask and loads of people walked by and snaped it.

[Marc J]

Ooh i like that! I've got a QR code I put on my flyers at wedding fayres which links to a special offers page on my site that is only linked to from the flyers code.
i really like the simple way of tracking the QR code though

I guess if you really wanted to track their use in depth (i.e. what QRCode users did once they got to your site, how long they stayed, did they fill in your contact form etc.) then you could (assuming you use Google Analytics) append your URL with the campaign, medium and source, e.g.: -

http://www.domain.com/?utm_campaign=weddingfayres2011&utm_medium=flyer&utm_source=qrcode

run that through www.bit.ly instead of just your URL and you'll get details stats in your GA reports rather than just how many visits from bit.ly :)

[Booche]

Just to drag thread up when Jo was in hospital i noticed that on her wristband/id tag thing that there was a QR Code on it aswell,

Will try and get a pic of it as i was wondering who would need the information off it apart from the hospital unless she went walkies and something happened and public etc could scan.