QR Codes By Christy Lynch

What is a QR Code  QR stands for “Quick Response”  While around since 1994, they are just catching on in the US with the increasing popularity of smart phones.  QR codes are a 2-dimensional bar code Rescigno’s YouTube Video on Panoramic Photo Books

How do they work?  You will need a smart phone with a camera  Download a QR code app  We recommend i-nigma, free for android and iPhone  Open the app on your phone  Center the QR code in the camera viewer  You will be taken wherever the QR code is setup to take you Mobile Business Card

Why use QR codes  “Strike while the iron is hot”  Consumers ability to respond at the moment you pique their interest  No need to write down URL’s, addresses, etc.  The number of smart phone users are on the rise.

Track Your Results  Total Number of scans  Activity by Day  Activity by Hour  Devices being used (this allows you to optimize the viewing experience)  Locations of people scanning  ROI

Track your Results Get More Information  Send your QR code to a website and require registration to get to content  Name  Company   Cell Phone (for text updates)

Ways to use QR codes  Promote future events  Direct people to videos, podcasts and web pages with more information  Add your logo into the QR code to build brand awareness  Drive donations by making it easy for people to respond St. Patricia’s Donation Page

Ways to Use QR Codes  Build your marketing database – include QR codes to enable people to subscribe to your lists and other alerts  Connect printed materials with online materials, providing additional information  Allow people to interact with your greeting cards – view a picture or video that supports the card.  Mobile Business Cards  Encourage audience participation at events. Open House YouTube Invite

Where to put the QR Code  Near the relevant information – for example near the donation form if you want online donations  Excellent on the address panel of a newsletter or self mailer  On the back side of a business card

Best Practices  Shrink your URL (website address) before creating the QR code.  Tinyurl.com or similar program  Name your artwork file so you can easily find for future use  Ex: qr-Rescignos.com.jpg

Best Practices Include Instructions!  If sending to a website, write the web address near the QR code  Include instructions (scan with mobile phone…)

Best Practices Spruce it up  Use color, but make sure there is a white border/background  Include your logo

Best Practices Mobile Optimized Content Optimized Not Optimized

Best Practices Make it the Right Size  Usually no smaller than 1 inch  Can be as large as you want! This QR code was 28 x 28 inches.

Samples – Self Mailer

Samples Remittance Envelope

Samples – Business Card

Other Uses  Although most people use QR codes to send people to a website, you can also:  Have it bring up a text only message  Dial or save a phone number  Read an address  Add an event to your calendar