An overview of what QR Codes are, how they work, some uses, some examples and some recommendations.

1. QR Code 101
and Best Practices
Understand and maximize the business
impact of QR codes

2. Content
 What are Quick Response (QR) Codes?
 What are some applications?
 What are some practical examples?
 What are some best practices for use?
 Using QR codes at Events, Conferences,
Tradeshows
 Some resources

3. What are Quick Response (QR) Codes?
 QR codes are 2D images that function like barcodes on packaged
products, but can contain MUCH more data
 QR codes are essentially pointers to digital content and capture or
trigger actions such as
 A link to a website
 Activate phone functions including email, IM and SMS
 Connect the mobile device to a web browser on the phone
 QR codes are read by “QR Code Reader” software or phone apps
 iPhone Reader > i-nigma
 Android Reader > Barcode Scanner
» Microsoft has their own flavor of QR codes called MS Tags
» The MS Tags are read by MS Tag Reader
» Microsoft has just added QR codes to their readers

4. Applications for QR Codes
 Sharing
 Read a QR code and get access to exclusive content
 Videos, landing pages for a white paper, multiple pieces of content that
share a link, materials from a conference
 Community
 Create a QR code that links your mobile device to a like button
 Create a QR code that shoots out a Tweet
 Calls to Action
 Add links to landing pages with email sign-up or core actions
 SEO and SMO (social media optimization)
 Boost the visibility of videos, music clips, infographics, etc via QR links
 Social Proof
 Link to popular blog posts that show your authority and/or popularity
 Analytics
 Use link shorteners like bit.ly and MyQR.co to create URLs that get tracked
through their tracking system

5. Practical Uses of QR Codes
 Business Cards – Front back or both
 Like you on facebook, link to site, directions to business
 Download Vcard
 Brochures and Marketing Material
 Additional information, functionality or how to hire you
 Sides of Cars, Trucks and Trailers
 Smartphones are EVERYWHERE and have some reading range
 Product Tags and Packaging
 Additional info and background on product
 Convention & Event Name Tags
 Facebook/LinkedIN page, company website
 Restaurant Menus
 Calorie count, recipes, background on meal, customer feedback form
 Event Ticket Stubs
 Free MP3 downloads, buy an album, get a t-shirt, enter a contest
 Point of Sale Receipts
 Instruction guides (PDF’s?), additional deals, source of replacement parts

6. Maximize Effectiveness
The key is to be creative and relevant with QR codes
 Provide explanations about their use and benefits
 Encourage actions that support your marketing plan
 Assuage the fears of the technically challenged
 Give reasons to come back
 Experiment with the size, location, and color of your QR
codes
 Study your analytics
 Make the process fun, such as a QR code scavenger
hunt
 Up to 500 characters of a “secret message”
 Experiment

7. General Best Practices for QR Codes
 Use short URLs
 The longer the URL, the more complex the QR Code. The more complex
the URL Code, the more difficult it is to scan. Use a URL shortner like
bit.ly.
 Cross Platform Compatibility
 Make sure the Code can be used on multiple devices: iPhone, Android &
BlackBerry
 Test QR codes with multiple apps and phone
 Give instructions to your consumer
 Still a new technology > so give clear instructions and benefits
 “Scan this with a Smart Phone app that reads QR Codes and enter
Sweepstakes”
 A “micro site” for customers that is designed for mobile
 Landing sites for QR Codes need to be dimensionally smaller; in other
words, designed for a small Smart Phone screen.
 Hello Vino example: Notice how easy everything is to read and how nicely
it fits on a small screen.

8. Hello Vino
Mobile Webpage Example
 http://www.hellovino.com/
 Different from website
 Limited images > fast
loading
 Clear + large text
 Nice design

9. QR Codes and Conferences
Objectives of QR Use
 Improve acquisition of leads and interest identification
 Reduce printed materials on floor and associated costs
Pre-Conference
 Add QR code to direct mail > resolves to personalized URL/landing page
 Add QR codes to business cards > special cards for show? Downloads Vcard
 Create landing page for materials that has mobile screen ready call to action
 Clear title & image, clear email field, clear download button
During Show
 Have a Like QR code and a Tweet QR code ready & posted > contest when you
Like/Tweet from the floor? Give away an iPad2?
 Use single sheet for series of materials desired w/QR codes > sign-up to get
emailed the report or materials

10. Resources
 http://www.qrstuff.com/ > create codes
 http://goqr.me/ > also creates codes
 http://www.beqrious.com/show/custom-qr-code-design
 Custom QR codes that are “designed”
 Likefy.com > facebook like QR codes
 Zeeks (http://zeek.com/create-a-status-update-url-for-twitter/) >
Twitter update link creator
 Bit.ly > Shortener for QR code URLs
 Optify tracking codes on destination URLs
 Source: ?opt_r=conference&opt_rd=<event name>
 Use of QR codes at a conference
 http://jenerationy.com/mobile-marketing-roi-qr-code-experiment/