QR stands for quick response. Perhaps this will give you insight into how they function. In direct marketing the quicker and more immediate the response, the better the chance of capturing the lead or the sale!
Quick response codes are two-dimensional matrix barcodes first used for tracking parts in vehicle manufacturing at high speed. In fact, QR codes were created by Toyota in 1994. These codes are readable via various types of devices. In lieu of tracking vehicle parts, today QR codes are a huge engagement opportunity for businesses. QR Codes, and other similar scan codes have been used successfully for nearly a decade in Japan and Europe. Here in the Southeastern United States they are just beginning to be used by a few forward-thinking companies. Most recently QR Codes were used at the Fall High Point, NC furniture market where they were placed on the furniture. Upon scanning the code you were taken directly to a video of a demo of the product and its features.
The QR Code to the right will take you to connectmarketingdesign.com,
but also has click-tracking embeded.
Clearly there is a great use for these codes in the retail space, but using these codes in direct mail also has huge potential. A small business called Letterbox deals in Sydney, Australia recently saw success with a QR campaign. Using a direct mail sweepstakes to win Dell notebook computers Letterbox sent out QR codes to peoples’ homes. Recipients could enter the sweepstakes by either scanning the QR code or going to a website from their home computer. Letterbox found that one quarter of all entrants came from the QR codes, nearly two thirds of the QR code respondents downloaded a QR reader to enter the contest, and a quarter of the QR scans happened within their residences. (Source)
Nearly any sort alphanumeric data can be transcoded into a QR code. One could be sent to a website, given a business card, or just shown a simple message. Research In Motion (RIM), the makers of the popular Blackberry devices, have thrown QR codes into the mainstream by making them a means for users to add contacts to their Blackberry Messenger. Also, RIM posted the codes at seemingly random locations that if scanned the person who scanned the code would win a prize.
Now just about every smartphone has a QR code app available. So the application of these codes are only limited to the imagination. In Japan QR codes are literally used on any and everything. Buy a Big Mac from McDonald’s? There will be a QR code on it leading you to more information about it. Your usual billboard may just be a giant QR code in Japan. So how will you use QR codes? Will you create a scannable business card? Offer an opportunity for your customers to win prizes or receive discounts? Send potential customers to your site via their mobile device? Or point them to your location on a map? Find a QR reader for your mobile device.
To find out how QR codes could help your business contact Connect Marketing and Design or just scan this QR code. Whether your business is small or large this could be a huge opportunity for you. Happy coding!
