Social Media Tip: How to use QR codes in social media
The QR marketing tool is free, which is great news for all businesses out there trying to count the pennies. They give potential consumers the opportunity to connect directly to your targeted content, without having to type in a URL first. If you think about it, most people these days have smartphones. If given a good enough incentive, there's no reason why they wouldn't want to click to connect to your enticing content. QR codes are a more affordable and convenient way to drive traffic to your website or social media platforms.
QR codes are very easy to make; just by going to a website like qrstuff.com, you can generate your own codes for any marketing or promotional material. Just like any other marketing campaign, it is important to consider your strategy before implementing them across your social media marketing strategy.
Where should you use QR codes?
- in store
- on your business card
As business cards only provide a small space for information, this is a great gateway to more information about your business
- at events
It's good to display QR codes at events so that potential customers can access additional content or promotional material. This is especially useful if your on-site representatives are busy and cannot attend to each potential customer present at the event
- in print ads
QR codes in print adverts are a good way to offer your potential customers incentives for accessing your content or joining your mailing list
- on sale receipts or ticket stubs
You can use QR codes to:
- provide offers or discounts
- link to Facebook/Twitter pages - consumers tend to find following a company on a social media platform less hassle than being on a mailing list, so this is good if you are looking to boost your social media reach
- get feedback on your business (using polls or surveys)
- give customers rewards (e.g. a restaurant displaying a QR code on a menu could link to recipe ideas or other chains)
- share 'exclusive' content - make the customer feel they benefit from following your business more closely and link them to exclusive content
- prefill a share or tweet - prefilling shares or tweets is a good way to drive traffic to your website and build up followers
- give directions to your business
Need proof?
Lego Germany managed to boost sales using a creative QR code campaign back in 2009. The company constructed huge QR codes made from Lego and displayed them across toy store advertising displays in Germany. When customers scanned the code, they were linked directly to a page where they could view and buy the products displayed. The campaign led to a 49% increase in sale or interest in the products. It is a great example of a company using QR codes to their full advantage, and observing the important QR campaign rules, which is a clear call-to-action.
Source: beqrious.com
Charlotte is a trainee journalist, who loves writing about anything and everything. Currently an intern at Social Media Frontiers, you can follow her @charlotteatsmf and @CharlotteR_4
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Social Media Tip: How to use QR codes in social media
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Reviewed by Anonymous
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Monday, March 17, 2014
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