It's Hip to be Square! Link to New Business with QR Codes

MS Smart Tag to American Slidechart Site

An MS Smart Tag (use with Microsoft Tag Reader app) that links directly to the 'free sample' page of American Slide Chart/Perrygraf's company web site.

Editor Note: Marybeth Bittel of American Slidechart/Perrygraf is a promotional products industry friend of mine who I presented with at Booth Camp in January. Check these great ideas for integrating QR codes and promo! - Heidi Thorne

Traditional. Social. Online. Mobile. Diverse forms of media, each with its own unique strengths … and limits. Fortunately, despite what various pundits would have us believe, most of today’s marketers recognize that none of these tools is the illustrious “magic bullet” we’ve been waiting for. Integration is the real name of today’s marketing game. It’s not so much what we choose to employ – it’s how we synchronize and integrate these efforts so that they leverage each other’s strengths and progressively intensify customer engagement.

And when it comes to recent industry developments, few things facilitate effective integration quite like the QR Code. Why should you learn more about this small-but-mighty and easy-to-employ technological breakthrough? Because very simply, it encourages your customers and prospects to take on-the-spot action by combining the unique strengths of multiple marketing vehicles. Consider the following:

QR Codes, in reality, actually aren’t all that recent. In fact, the technology has been in active use since the mid-90’s. It’s only in the last couple of years, however, that marketers have begun to recognize the inherent promotional potential. Initially created by Tokyo-based Denso-Wave Corporation, QR Codes are essentially 2D bar codes that can instantly link your audience to expanded online, digital or mobile content.
Using QR Codes is astoundingly easy. You simply need 1) a SmartPhone equipped with a camera, 2) a QR symbol, and 3) QR Code reading software. Now, just snap a picture of the QR symbol, which the software immediately decodes. In seconds, the corresponding destination – most often a web page – is displayed on your phone screen. Essentially, an electronic device that nearly everyone carries (their mobile phone) becomes a portable, on-the-spot decode-and-display tool.
QR Codes can link to a URL, but they can also link to numerous other types of expanded content (even text messages).
In 2008, Microsoft unveiled an enhanced mobile tagging system called HCCB (High Capacity Color Barcode). Based upon QR Code technology, Microsoft Tags allow instant information access – and they can also track performance analytics. Thanks to their optional use of color, Tags can be printed at very compact sizes yet still hold more information than a traditional QR Code. Best of all, during the beta trial period Microsoft Tags are completely free to create, use and share in just a few simple clicks – you just need to know how to do it.
Are QR Codes really that poised to take off? Well, consider just a few of the current statistics. In 2010, Google itself actively endorsed QR Code technology; while Facebook announced plans to tie a QR Code to every individual profile (for those keeping score, we’re talking 500 million active users). Current studies estimate that mobile Internet use via SmartPhones will increase 50-fold by 2015. And analysts predict that by 2012, SmartPhone sales will begin to overtake PC sales.
More findings: An interesting study recently determined that people who lose their own wallets report them missing within 26 hours – while people who lose their mobile phones report them missing within 68 minutes. In other studies, more than 90% of consumers say that they keep their mobile phones within arm’s reach 24 hours per day. And at present, more than 25% of all households have eliminated their land lines completely – and that number is predicted to grow annually in years to come.

Dimensionals are an ideal vehicle for QR Codes. The dimensional itself grabs instant attention and delivers on-the-spot answers or insights. The imprinted QR Code then links to expanded, complementary content that can be refreshed and updated on a regular basis.

Okay, so you’ve familiarized yourself with QR Code technology, and you’ve seen some of the statistics. As some hugely successful brands (including our own clients) are discovering, QR Codes can really punch up your promotional potential.

Want to learn how to harness and maximize that potential for your business? Request a free copy of American Slide Chart/Perrygraf’s latest HotSheet, entitled “QR Code Quick Facts.” You’ll learn exactly how to use, create, download and leverage this simple technology for maximum marketing impact. We’ll also share some real-life, tried-and-true applications from our own customer files.

Just e-mail newdimensions@americanperrygraf.com and type “QR Code Quick Facts” in the subject line – we’ll e-mail a copy right away.

About Marybeth Bittel

Marybeth Bittel is director of marketing communications for dimensional marketing pioneer American Slide Chart/Perrygraf (www.americanperrygraf.com).
She has coached and written extensively on strategic selling tactics, and believes strongly in the importance of consistent, integrated brand communication strategies. Ms. Bittel has more than two decades of experience in marketing, sales, PR, event management and advertising; having worked with industry leaders including ABC, HP, Westinghouse, IBM and numerous others.