The Road to Brand YOU for Social Media Marketing Success
Stop #6: Your QR Code-"Get Jiggy with it!"
On our last Stop #5 on the Road to Brand YOU for Social Media Marketing Success, I shared information about Your Brand Consistency. This stop we will be taking a look at a marketing strategy using an interesting symbol.
What is this?
(QR Code)
You have probably seen this funny black and white square gizmo and not know exactly what it was or what it is called.
I know when I first learned about these things a couple of years ago before I learned the name I described it as a "Thing-A-Majiggy" to my designer. That's a "technical" term better known as a "Do-Hickey." This "thing" is called a QR code, which stands for Quick Response Code. Technically, it is like a barcode and links to an action. QR codes are amazing marketing tools to redirect your clients to your website, social media platforms or other contests and giveaways. You can use them to redeem coupons or other fun prizes. They are great to use to build your brand and differentiate yourself!
Add it to your business cards and other marketing material so your tech savvy followers, friends and connections can scan your code with their smart phone and directly connect to your website, or social media platform without even typing in the URL. How cool is that?
3 Benefits of Using a QR Code:
1. Build your Brand. You can get customized QR Codes to build your brand for a FEE. You can also generate FREE QR Codes in the standard black and white format. It makes it easy for people to connect with you.
2. Differentiate Yourself. Although scanning and barcode technology has been around for years, QR Code marketing is just really beginning to take hold. It can really help your brand stand out!
3. Convenience for allowing your fans, friends and followers to connect with you in an innovative and FUN way!
Other uses of QR Codes include:
- Dialing a Number
- Linking to a Website
- Directing to a Landing Page
- Sending a Text
- Linking to a Special Offer
- Viewing a location on Google Maps
- Linking to Your Social Media Profiles
How Do I Get a QR Code?
First you have to generate a QR Code based on what you want to happen and the source you want to link to the QR Code. For example, if you want to link to a website, you provide your URL. Next, you need a QR Code reader in order to scan the code. You can download one on your smart phone and can find many readers in your phone app store. I use QR Reader for iPhone from the iTunes store.
Ready to PLAY?
1. Download your FREE QR Code and Reader
2. Scan the QR Codes throughout this article for your chance to WIN!
3. Have FUN!
If you really want to get "Jiggy with it" you can get a custom QR Code! Let's take a quick test drive.
Here are variations of the same code. Click the image to enlarge then scan to see where this takes you!
Can you say SAVVY?
(www.socialsavvysarah.com)
Okay, Let's Begin!
Start Your Engines…Ready, Set, Let's Connect!
Chance #1
SCAN and Enter Your Name and Email to Receive Exclusive Updates on How to Brand Yourself Online, 100 FREE Branding Tips and A Chance to Win a Custom QR Code
Chance #2
SCAN, "LIKE" my Page and Leave a comment about QR Codes for a chance to WIN a Custom QR Code!
SCAN and Enter Your Name and Email for a Chance to Win A Personal Branding Assessment and a 15 Minute BRANDstorming Session!
Where to Use QR Codes?
1. Business Card – SCAN to see where it takes you or visit www.socialsavvysarah.com!
2. Name Tag at a Networking Event – SCAN to see where it takes you! Or type in URL at the bottom of tag!
(What a great Ice Breaker at a Networking Event!)
3. Banner at a Tradeshow – Scan and see where it takes you! (www.socialsavvysarah.com)
4. Print materials – Scan and see where it takes you! (www.socialsavvysarah.com/100brandtips)!
5. T-Shirts – Scan and see where it takes you! (www.socialsavvysarah.com)
(Front) (Back)
Notice how I provided website URLs just in case there is a problem with the code or the scanner, the person interacting with the code can still participate whether they are scanner ready or not. Be sure to always link your QR Code to quality content. Also always consider the safety of scanning and signal availability of those who may be scanning your code depending on the location. For example you would want to make sure you have a Wi-Fi signal available in the location you place your code in order to scan it if you have a brick and mortar store.
Also not a good idea to include a QR Code on a billboard but I have seen it done. Please…Don't Scan and Drive! Finally, before you start your QR Code campaign make sure you inspect what you expect by scanning your codes to make sure your links work and you get the desired results. I was able to scan each code in this article and the links took me to the desired location.
In Closing…
QR Codes are an excellent way to build your brand using social media and creating an online presence, visibility and a FUN experience for your customers, fans, friends and followers. I encourage you to grab your code TODAY to help you on the Road to Brand YOU for Social Media Marketing Success!
Join me next time on the Road to Brand YOU for Social Media Marketing Success!
NEXT…
Your Branded Business Cards
Supporting You One "Savvy Step" at a Time!
Share with me below what ways you might consider incorporating a QR Code Strategy into your Social Media Marketing Mix.
I can't wait to hear from you!
I just like to sign up to have a fresh blog, but I want a wonderful
style for my website. How can I do that? I do not seriously like the ones given to you after
you sign up, so are there any you’ll be able to upload to the web site?
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I can help you with that. You can send your comments through the “Contact Dr. Sarah” tab and feel free to check out the services page for branding options.
Well Sarah I love the whole idea behind the QR code and branding. Followed your steps until it came to scanning and following along…next stop…get updated phone to be able to keep up with technology, geeze…
Thanks for playing Carla! You can definitely still play along without a smartphone. One of the tips I shared when working with QR codes include a URL for people just in case they can’t scan. This way everyone can play along.:-)
Love it Sarah! What I great post! This one I would love to republish on our site! Very informative!
Angela Jordan recently posted..How To Write Content That Your Audience Wants To Read
Thanks so much Angela, so honored that you would like to share my content. Feel free to share. All I ask is you please include the blurb that I include at the end of the article. I appreciate you!
There's still much to learn!.. Honestly, I didn't even know about QR codes. Thanks Sarah!
Lorii Abela recently posted..Tips to Attract a Romanian Woman
Glad to hear it Lorii! Thanks for playing along.
Sarah, I love all the stuff I learn here…I need to re-read this so I know exactly how to proceed… Definitely going to print it off so I can refer back to it…. You are so good at what you do! Can't wait to work more with you1
Thanks so much! Looking forward to working with you Sue!
So, I did it all "I think"; thanks for stretching us on all levels. Would love to win one of your prizes; I am starting to like this branding more and more; I am so glad we connected through Kim. Love to learn more and more from you!!
Olga, so glad that you played along and learned more about QR codes.
Love this!! Really cool idea! Thanks for sharing this in such detail for us newbies to understand!
My pleasure Denny and thanks so much for playing along!
You are so creative. You just put a whole new twist on how to utilize this tool. I try to embrace new techie things and sometimes it takes longer than others. LOL! Very informative Sarah!
Thanks so much Kim! You know technology is always evolving and so are we. Baby Steps.:-)
Sarah, you really know how to spell it out! I am a total newbie with this and not sure where to start…. this post is a great start! Thank you!
Sherie recently posted..5 Simple Keys to a Happy Relationship
So happy that you like the way I “spell it out” Sherie! Thanks so much for your comments.
WOW!! I am surprisingly super excited about QR codes now. I really loved this post. I've seen them used on posters and business cards and such, but never really thought about ALL the ways we can use them. Awesome!
Wonderful Tara! They are quite fun and help your brand stand out. Thanks for your comments.
Guess I need a smart phone. I really am just now learning what QR codes do.
Michael thanks for playing along! You can still play along even without a smart phone because the URL is included. Savvy Tip – Include your URL with a QR code just in case someone does not have the capability to scan your code that way everyone can play!
Sarah you have such incredible ideas. I love this!
Thanks so much Sara!
all my cell phone does is …… well, PHONE. Because I work from home and if I'm out and about I want to be with my kids or focusing on whatever errands I might be running— I just don't see the point in having internet access (and paying extra for it) outside of my home. So I've never scanned one of these codes— is there anyway to participate in this without having a smartphone? I would feel a little silly starting to HAVE one of these codes on my site or doing some of these (admittedly GREAT!) marketing ideas if *I* don't even have the ability to play. When I do join this century and get a real phone someday, this will be on my to-do list then.
Absolutely Heather! You can still play along even without a smart phone.:-)You will need internet access. Be sure to include the URL with the QR code that way if a person does not have a smart phone or scanning capabilities they can still play along too. Hope this helps! Thanks so much for your comments!
I love the idea of QR codes. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure Vicky!
So much great information! I am not ready yet for this but will indulge when I sort out my branding. I love all your graphic examples Sarah.
Glad you found the information useful Suzanne. Yes, it really will be powerful once you have your branding sorted out. Feel free to grab the free resource I have on the site to help you get started sorting things out.
Another great post packed with awesome information!! Thanks for sharing…love all you do:)
Thanks so much Dr. Daisy! I appreciate your feedback.
Sarah, wow a foreign topic to me–QC codes. i am printing it out to digest it further. Thanks for your wisdom. It's always awesome.
Thanks Carol! Glad you found it useful. Please stop by again!
No-o-o-o-o-o! Not another doohicky to learn about! Thanks for simplifying it a bit for me!
My pleasure! Thanks Christiane.
Loved the examples that you provided Sarah. Those were PERFECT examples of how to utilize the QR code in branding. I'm going to guarantee you that this post is going to help TONS of people!
Wonderful Edmund! I am so glad you found it helpful! Thanks so much for your comments.
Wow, Sarah! What fun insights and ideas!
Thanks so much Carl!