4 Ways to Make QR Codes Work in Designs and Ads
Are QR Codes A Fad or the Future?
I’ll be honest with you, I don’t scan them, but that has to do with lack of incentive more than anything. They ARE in fact the future, but more standards in their use and expectations has to take place, and also the general public has to be more educated in their use.
It also wouldn’t hurt if people saw them used more in the media.
Best usage of QR codes is since they require action to make them “fun and interactive” or a “cool secret”.
Use QR Codes For Special Coupons and Secret Content.
Primary example, if a company uses QR codes to direct users to coupons they can’t get any other way. That creates value and make the consumer feel “special or elite”.
If used this way in print and outdoor media, companies can also have more effective tracking and a better method for determining ROI of those particular forms of media. Much in the same way they track PPC and Display Advertising using custom URLs and Landing Pages.
I feel QR codes would be more widely adopted if they were tied into Movie Releases and Posters as Well as Video Game advertisements. This is a more media oriented and technology oriented target market, that also has a demand for interactivity.
Use QR Codes to Deliver Apps and Media Downloads Easily.
Using QR codes as a deliver method for free branded Apps is also a good strategy.
If a poster, ad, or billboard had a QR code that promised me: exclusive footage, a free MP3, free App, discount, free members only benefits, or secret information…I would hesitate to scan it. A great idea for you designers is to tie QR codes to your print work for a free desktop wall paper or even a mobile wallpaper of the same artwork.
As it stands now, I have no idea what will happen other than going to some site the advertiser wants me to. No real value is communicated to me, and that’s why I don’t take the time and effort.
Tie QR Codes into Print Media for Easy Access to Your Site or Event Page.
I think that also using QR codes on business cards and flyers would be an interesting approach and trend as a time saver to get to a website on your phone though, so you can RSVP to a Facebook event for example with just a quick click and scan, or you can go from a business card right to that person’s site or resume. This also a great way to tie in information on brochures to websites for businesses or causes.
You could even get real crazy and develop a custom line of clothing with QR code tie-ins for free bonus digital material like desktop backgrounds, apps, games, music and more.
QR codes lack of use and adoption has more to do with the strategies used in implementing them. If used in the ways I’ve described and if we see more people in movies and television using them, it will become more common place.
Create an Augmented Reality Game or Contest Using QR Codes
Augmented reality games that utilize QR codes could also be interesting as a marketing or promotional tool. Particularly for movies and television. You can also use them to play social games like “assassin”.
Final Thoughts on Using QR Codes.
If more designers and marketers implement these and other creative ideas to use QR codes to their advantage that we will see them become more popular. Right now they are only popular among marketers and tech enthusiast, but that was true of other technologies.
You can use this awesome free site to generate your own QR Codes and even choose the color: http://www.qrstuff.com/
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