Build Your Email List With QR Codes
Have you ever been at a coffee shop, at the gym or a trade show and you find yourself talking to someone who is interested in your business? So you ask if they would like to sign up for your email newsletter and they agree.
As predicted by Murphy’s Law, there will be no accessible computer in the area and you end up writing down their email address to add to the list when you get to the office. You may not add them until the next day and the decide they’re no longer interested so do not confirm their subscription. Or even worse, you are busy putting out fires at work and you forget to add them all together. Or, everything works out fine and they end up become one of your satisfied customers.
Luckily for you, we now live in the information age. With smart phones abound, there is a much easier way for your prospective customers to join your list. Even better, you do not need to own a smart phone to be able to make this happen.
QR Codes And How They Work
QR is short for "Quick Response" and you can see one to the left. Basically, a QR code is a 2D barcode that uses a pattern of squares instead of a linear row of lines like in the traditional UPC codes. That’s all well and good, but how does this help you?
I’m glad you asked. QR codes are the first time technology has merged the digital world with the real world and brought it mainstream. A QR code can be scanned using special apps (usually free) on smart phones.
QR codes can instruct smart phones to do many things including open a specific URL, call a phone number, send a text message, interact with social media, and display your contact information. The one we are interested in for this article is opening a specific URL for the purposes of getting someone signed up for your email newsletter.
Let’s replay the scenario from above. You meet someone who is interested in your business and they agree to join your mailing list. You ask them if they have a smart phone (they invariably say yes) and you present them with your business card or a simple piece of paper that has your QR code on it. That QR code takes them to a mobile optimized webpage which is created for easy viewing mobile phones. They enter their name and email address on that page and presto, they’re signed up.
Examples of QR Codes
Way back in 2008, Ralph Lauren started using QR code technology to shop via their smart phones. Their QR codes appear in store windows, mailers, and print ads. The QR code in this image linked savvy consumers to Ralph Lauren’s 2008 U.S. Open Limited Edition Collection. The 2008 U.S. open is of course long over so now the QR will take you to their online mobile optimized store. Check out by click on the image to get a bigger version of the QR code and then scan it with your smart phone QR code scanner app.
Upon entering a Best Buy you may be greeted by a large QR code that, when scanned, will explain what QR codes are, how they work and how to use them throughout the store. Each item in the store has a QR code beside it that will provide consumers with reviews, ratings and product details about the product.
The billboard featured in this photo was in NYC and it was big enough to be scanned from more than 100 yards away. Scanning this QR code took consumers to a 30 second Calvin Klein ad that was a little too racy to be played on TV.
How Can You Use QR Codes In Your Business?
Virtual Coupons
With "Virtual" coupons you can offer your customers both offline and online ways to cash in on discounts. All you have to do is place a QR code into a print ad and customers can scan to see your offer.
Website
With QR codes you can increase traffic to your website. Simply put QR code embedded with your homepage URL on all of your printed marketing material and your mobile customers will find you in no time.
Give Directions
Every business owner has spent a lot of time on the phone providing directions to their business to customers. Reduce those calls by including a QR code that takes customers to an online map and they’ll find your business with ease.
Personalized Advertising
Personalizing advertising is a proven method to increase conversion rates, so take it one step further to reap even great rewards. In your direct mail piece, add a QR code that takes each individual customer or prospect to a personalized page on your website.
Online Ordering
Place QR codes on menus, price lists, catalogs, fridge magnets and anything else you can think of so that your customers can scan and then order online via their smart phone. E-Commerce has never been this easy!
Scheduling
Never miss another appointment! You can link QR codes directly to schedules (transit timetables or event sessions) directly to your mobile phone calender so you can view them any time.
Branded Marketing Materials
QR codes allow your prospects and customers to fuse the real world with the digital world by connected your printed materials to online media (audio, video, personalized landing pages, etc).
QR Code Scanning Apps
For Android
For Palm
Join the conversation below:
Where Would You Put Your QR Code?
Have you ever used a QR code to promote your business? How did you launch it into circulation?
Would you use a QR code to attract subscribers to your email campaign? Why or why not?
And what other ways could you get your code out there?
Published by Bjorn on June 20th, 2011.