by tradesmeninsights | Sep 27, 2011 | Marketing Tips, Social Marketing, Traditional Marketing
QR codes in the world of marketing are relatively new and as such a novelty. The problem is, if you don’t use them correctly, they can do more harm than good, and if you turn off your target audiences by a simple thing like not using a QR code correctly, what might it do to the rest of your relationship with them?
For those who might be interested, we have a Trends in Mobile Media white paper that can be downloaded that will give you a pretty good overview of what’s currently available.
I recently read an interesting post in Social Media Examiner by Jeff Korhan titled, 5 Steps to a Successful QR Code Marketing campaign. Here are some highlights:
- Plan a strategy – You need to understand your target audience, have clear objectives and offer useful and valuable incentives.
- Create quality codes and test them – You only get one chance to make a first impression. There are many QR codes out there, the most popular being QR codes and Microsoft (MS) Tags. Do your homework when choosing one and then make sure to test it several times before making it live for the rest of the world to see.
- Link your codes to mobile friendly or mobile optimized sites – One of the biggest mistakes is linking to a traditional size page that you want to be read on a mobile device. Make sure where you link is optimized for mobile.
- Track performance with management tools – QR codes and MS tags have reporting sytems built in. They currently don’t go very deep, but I think it’s just a matter of time until they do. There are several other developers showing up, but it’s too early in the game to rate or recommend any.
- Deliver value and a favorable experience – That’s what the user who clicks on the code will remember. Did you WOW them with a video, did you give them a discount on the product?
I’d love to hear how you’re using QR codes and how successful you’ve been.
by tradesmeninsights | Jul 14, 2011 | Social Marketing, Traditional Marketing
I can’t believe the year is already half over. Where does the time go? I thought I’d share the top read posts so for the second quarter of 2011 just in case you may have missed them. Enjoy.
- 5 Reasons Why Social Media Doesn’t Work.
- Social Media: Who Uses It and Why?
- Social Media Introverts: Here Are Ways For You to Come Out of the Closet.
- Manufacturers: Are You Taking Advantage of QR Codes?
- Content is King: 10 Tips on Effective Writing.
by tradesmeninsights | Apr 27, 2011 | Marketing Tips, Marketing Tools, Marketing Trends, Traditional Marketing
I’m sure you’ve seen these strange looking symbols and some of you (over 60% according to a recent post in eMarketing.com) know what they are.
These Quick Response codes are showing up more than in consumer applications to get people to use their smartphones to interact and get more info on the spot. They may take you to a video, coupon or an e-commerce site. The key is that once your initial communication stops them, whether it’s an ad or billboard, the QR code enables them to go to the next step on the spot using their phone.
So if you’re not using them in your marketing efforts, maybe you should try them. I’m curious how many of you are currently using QR codes and where are you sending them?
If you like this article, you may want to read:
U.S. Leads in Global Use of Mobile Barcodes
5 Practical Ways Manufacturers Can Use 2D Bar Codes
by tradesmeninsights | Apr 21, 2011 | Marketing Tips, Marketing Tools, Marketing Trends, Traditional Marketing
By now most of you have seen these strange little boxes somewhere in your life. You may have seen them in one of your favorite consumer magazines. They’re even showing up in some trade books.
For those who don’t know what a QR code is, it’s a 2D bar code that allows you to connect to additional info using your smart phone that has a camera. Since there are more smart phones being sold now than PCs, maybe it’s time you consider doing something that will take advantage of this technology. One of the nice things about QR codes is that they are contextually relevant. In other words, you can target info based on where you place them and each can be individually tracked.
Here are six real world practical ways manufacturers can utilize QR codes in their marketing activities:
- Trade advertising – Put a QR code in that will take the reader to a testimonial video or a product demo.
- Trade shows – Pre-show and at-show promotions. Add a code with show specials or other reasons to visit your booth, like a new product introduction.
- In-store signage – Other than the big boxes where they control most of the “look and feel,” use signage to drive them somewhere like a video that shows them why your product is better than the competition.
- Product packaging – Again, you can make a case for your product over the competitors, or you can give assistance to those who aren’t sure which hole saw or drill bit to use.
- Product literature – From sell sheet to direct mail, use to connect to reasons why they should buy, i.e. videos or other important features/benefits to help them prefer your product.
- Premiums – For your next distributor open house or counter day, have your guys wear tee shirts with a clever saying and a QR code. It’s a great way to stand out in a crowd.
These are easy to use, free, each are trackable and they are a good way to set yourself apart.
If you’d like to learn more about QR codes, these additional posts may be of interest:
QR Codes: Are Manufacturers Missing an Opportunity?
What’s Augmented Reality?
White Paper: Trends in Mobile Media
by tradesmeninsights | Dec 15, 2010 | Marketing Tips, Marketing Trends, Traditional Marketing
Aylie Fifer, Relationship Architect here at Sonnhalter, has put together some information on Augmented Reality.
Augmented reality is a new technology that is starting to take flight in many different ways. Think of a flight simulator – the pilot goes into a “cockpit” and can use the actual controls of an airplane, but the visual is a non-real place – a video or computer generated environment to simulate the environment of a real world situation. In essence, this is very much like Augmented Reality.
Augmented reality:
- combines real and virtual data – meaning it uses real time video and integrates with computer generated data to create an “Augmented Reality” experience
- is interactive in real time
- is registered in 3D
Sometimes QR codes are used to launch an Augmented Reality site or game. The QR code just redirects to the URL or information coded in the 2D QR code and the Augmented Reality site utilizes information that the phone/computer is receiving (either by camera, video, or GPS) to incorporate a virtual reality with the real reality and allowing you to interact in real time. Essentially, it layers a “virtual world” into your actual reality world.
Examples:
http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/top-10-augmented-reality-examples/top-10-augmented-reality-examples/
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/big-idea/14/augmented-reality
In the National Geographic article, you will see that the Air Force is using Augmented Reality as a means to train mechanics. Augmented reality is already being used with video games as well. It is a matter of time before this technology enters into other areas of our life. What I am excited to see is how marketers will use this new media to promote their products.
Photo courtesy of National Geographic.
