Posts Tagged ‘FOX CODE’

QR Code 101 Guest Post: Two Dimensional (2D) Quick Response (QR) Scan Codes: ‘The 10 Commandments for Marketers’

February 24, 2011 – Atlanta, GA USA – The following QR Code 101 Two Dimensional (2D) Quick Response (QR) scan code article was first published by Mashable. This excerpt is reprinted by permission of the author.

Author: Jamie Turner is the chief content officer of the 60 Second Marketer, the online magazine for BKV Digital and Direct Response. He is also the co-author of How to Make Money with Social Media.

It seems as though every time you scan the web, there are posts and articles about companies that are using 2D codes such as QR codes, EZcodes and Microsoft Tags to promote their products or services.

Quick Response (QR) Scan Code: Text SCAN to 43588 to get a free scanner app. Scan this code to launch the 60 Second Marketer Social Media List of 45 Social Media terms

The problem is that many of these companies are using 2D codes as novelty items instead of using them to drive real, tangible revenue to their businesses.

I’ve spent the past few months analyzing several hundred different uses of 2D codes across the globe. Some of them have been quite brilliant (as is the case with the Smithsonian Institution’s Neanderthal exhibit, which we’ll talk about in a second). Others have been … well, not so brilliant.

Many members of the Fortune 500 have used 2-D codes to promote their products or services. For example, The New York Times Magazine took a photo of a QR code made entirely of balloons. Yes, you can create a QR Code using balloons and it actually works. Users who scanned the QR code were driven to a special mobile webpage promoting their 10th Annual Year in Ideas issue.

Starbucks is one of the first major corporations to use 2-D codes for commerce. The Starbucks Card Mobile Application allows baristas to scan a 2-D code off of your smart phone. The cost of your Venti, sugar-free, non-fat, vanilla soy, double shot, decaf, no foam, extra hot, peppermint white chocolate mocha with light whip and extra syrup is simply deducted from your card. When the money runs out, you just add more to your mobile card using the app.

Surprisingly, the best example I’ve seen for the use of a 2-D code was by the Smithsonian Institution. Yes, a quasi-governmental, traditional institution kicked the private sector’s rear end when it came to the best use of a new and emerging technology.

If you visit the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum, you’ll see an exhibit about Neanderthals on the main floor. Neanderthals were contemporaries of humans who lived in Africa, the Middle East and Western Europe 30,000 to 50,000 years ago.

The Neanderthal exhibit is pretty typical, except that they’ve placed a 2-D code on it that says, “Scan here to be part of our MEanderthal exhibit.”

When visitors scan the 2-D code, they’re sent to a website that allows them to take a picture of a friend or family member with their smartphone. Once they’ve done that, users can superimpose an image over the photograph that shows what that person would have looked like as a Neanderthal 30,000 to 50,000 years ago.

The Smithsonian’s MEanderthal Experience Meets QR code

The Smithsonian’s MEanderthal experience doesn’t end with the superimposed photograph. You can also put different Neanderthal overlays on your photograph and even upload photos to your Facebook profile or e-mail them to a friend. The end result is that instead of spending, say, two or three minutes learning about Neanderthals, visitors with a 2-D code reader on their phone will spend five or ten minutes with the exhibit.

All this brings us to our main point: The 10 commandments of using 2-D codes for business. After all, if you’re going to dive into 2-D codes, you should have a handle on the best practices.

1. Thou Shalt Assist Thy Consumer in the Use of 2-D Codes

Even though the use of 2-D codes is increasing rapidly, most consumers are just starting to embrace them. It’s best to help consumers out a little with a line of copy that explains what 2-D codes are and where the consumer can download a code reader.

Here’s the one I use all the time: “Scan the 2-D code for a special coupon. To download a code reader to your phone, open your mobile browser and visit scan.mobi.”

Other good 2-D code readers can be found at BeeTagg.com, i-nigma.com and ScanLife.com.

2. Thou Shalt Drive Consumers Through to a Webpage Designed Specifically for a Smartphone

This one seems painfully obvious, but you’d be surprised how many companies drive people through to regular webpages. By linking your 2-D code to a mobile site, you’re enhancing the customer experience. A good customer experience equals return visits, which is what you’re looking for.

3. Thou Shalt Run Thy 2-D Code Promotion in an Area That Has Cell Phone Coverage

Another classic mistake is running a 2-D code promotion in an area that has bad cell phone coverage. If you’re going to run a 2-D code promotion in a subway station, a rural area or an office building, you’d better check the mobile reception first.

4. Thou Shalt Add Value for Thy Consumer

The best 2-D code promotions give people something extra for their trouble. Sometimes, that extra value is simply an enhanced experience. Other times, it’s a discount or special coupon that rewards them for taking the time to scan your 2-D code.

5. Thou Shalt Track the Traffic to Your 2-D Code Landing Page

Marketing is about metrics and measurement, so be sure you track your results. One way is to measure in-bound hits using Google Analytics or some other analytics program. Another way is to partner with ScanLife, Microsoft or some other 2-D code provider to track data using their systems. Experiment to see which approach works for you.

6-10. [Editor's Note: That Shalt Click Here to View 10 Commandments 6-10 for Marketers on Mashable]

_______________________

Author Jamie Turner

That’s GREAT! blog post by Guest Columnist Jamie Turner, Chief Content Officer for 60 Second Marketer, the online magazine for BKV Digital and Direct Response. Copyright 2010-2011 Jamie Turner. First published 9/1/10 by Mashable.

Reprinted by permission of the Author. Download a free chapter from Jamie’s book by clicking “How to Make Money with Social Media.”

Short URL For This ‘That’s GREAT!’ Post

http://j.mp/the10QRc

Subscribe to the Free Daily Online Scan Code Newspaper From GREAT!

• The uSCANme QR Code Daily

That’s GREAT! Quick Response (QR) Scan Code Resources

1.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  101 Ideas for Using QR Codes
2.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  101 ‘Pointers’ for Using QR Codes
3.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  101 Major U.S. Brands Using QR Codes
4.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  50 Major Media Companies Using QR Codes
5.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Using QR Codes
6.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Top 10 Best QR Codes Uses in the U.S
7.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  (Video) ‘10 Reasons Free QR Codes Will Bite Me In The Tush’
8.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  (Video) What’s the Return on Investment (ROI) on QR Codes?
9.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  (Video) – 2011 is the Year of the Quick Response Code
10.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Multiple Choice:  (2010) (2011) (2012) is the Year of the QR Code
11.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Top 300 Must Read QR Code Articles
12.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Top 150 Must Read QR Code Articles
13.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  How Newspapers Can Use QR Codes to Delay the Demise of Print
14.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  QR Code Book : ‘I Live in the Future & Here’s How It Works
15.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Top 10 Reasons EZcodes Are Better Than QR Codes
16.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Guest Post: The 10 Commandments for Marketers
17.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Guest Post: How to Use QR Codes to Promote Your Business
18.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Guest Post: An Introduction to QR Codes
19.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Product Camp Atlanta: 25 QR Code Ideas in 10 Minutes
20.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Follow Dan Smigrod’s QR Twitter Account: uSCANme
21.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Free Daily Online QR Code Newspaper (The uSCANme Daily)
22.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  All ‘That’s GREAT!’ QR Code Lists, Videos, Articles and Resources

Bonus: GREAT! ScanLife Promo Code (“Invitation Code”) = great (for small, medium, large businessesand agency/resellers so you can play with a robust, paid scan code platform (For example: generate free QR codes to practice with and generate usage reports for these codes). When you are ready to use the scan codes commercially, please request a quote from ScanLife or email GREAT! CEO Dan Smigrod.

Disclosures

• GREAT! is a Referring Agent for the ScanLife platform. Use the GREAT! ScanLife Promo Code (“Invitation Code”) = great (for small, medium, large businesses and agency/resellers) so you can play with a robust, paid scan code platform). For example: generate free QR codes to practice with and generate free usage reports for these codes. When you are ready to use the scan codes commercially, please request a quote from ScanLife or email GREAT! CEO & Chief Creative Officer Dan Smigrod.

• GREAT! is a Value-Added Reseller (VAR) of scan codes. GREAT! provides clients and their agencies with: a) scan code implementation (the actual scan codes); b) strategy (best use of the scan codes); c) scan code management (including reports); d) fast-to-market; and, e) without costly and embarrassing mistakes common even by large; A-list brands. Turn-key scan code services are provided for a flat monthly fee. For a quote, please email GREAT! CEO & Chief Creative Officer Dan Smigrod.

*Though Quick Response (QR) brand scan codes are a registered trademark of Toyota subsidiary Denso-Wave, Quick Response Code (QR) are commonly – and incorrectly – used generically to refer to all Two Dimensional (2D) mobile barcodes: including ScanLife EZcode brand scan codes; Microsoft Tag codes; datamatrix codes; and still other scan codes that are scanned or photographed on a smartphone such as an iPhone 4. Saying Quick Response code or QR code is like saying that you TIVOed the TV show when you actually used the Comcast brand digital video recorder to record the TV show.

GREAT! List: Top 10 Best Two Dimensional (2D) Scan Code Uses in the U.S. in 2010 [Including Quick Response (QR); ScanLife EZcodes; and Tag]

December 22, 2010 – Atlanta, GA USA – Here are the Top 10 Best Two Dimensional Scan Code Uses in the United States in 2010, in a list compiled by GREAT! CEO and Chief Creative Officer Dan Smigrod. [Two Dimensional (2D) scan codes include: Quick Response (QR)* codes; ScanLife EZcodes; or Microsoft Tags.]

Vancouver, BC Canada Mobio Makes GREAT! List: Top 10 Best Scan Code Uses in the U.S. in 2010

Adding-value by activating print marketing campaigns with video; enabling faster and easier mobile payments; and enhancing customer buying experiences are among the examples sited in the list of Top 10 Best 2D Scan Code Uses in the U.S. in 2010.

Despite more than 101 major U.S. brands using scan codes in 2010; more than 50 major U.S. media using scan codes in 2010, more than 300 major stories covering the use of 2D codes in the U.S. in 2010; and huge interest in learning more about scan codes in the U.S. – picking the top 10 best scan code uses in the U.S. in 2010 was challenging.

The key to successfully using scan codes is adding-value for the consumer. Unfortunately, of the more than 101 uses for scan codes, most implementation of scan codes in the U.S. do not live up to their potential either because the 2D scan codes fail to add-value to the customer experience; or make embarrassing mistakes in the scan code implementation that detract from consumers’ scan code experience.

When we look back in December 2011 to the Top 10 Best Two Dimensional (2D) Scan Code Uses in 2011, we will see terrific scan code uses that leverage: location; payment processing; brand loyalty; transaction; dynamic pricing; how to and entertainment videos; mashups of new products and services; creative use of traditional and social media; product packaging; 1:1 personalization; real-time data; pro-social; Augmented Reality (AR); and new smartphone capabilities – as smartphones continue to become both ubiquitous and with us nearly 24/7.

In the mean time, here are the …

Top 10 Best Two Dimensional (2D) Scan Code Uses in 2010 by GREAT!

1. Best Buy – by including a QR code on every product fact card, Best Buy enhances the retail shopping experience by providing easy-access to all product features and the ability to compare product features.
2. Starbucks – Mobile payments meets Caramel Frappuccino meets QR code meets smartphone. [wallet-free customer experience transaction] [Editor's Note: 1/19/11: Starbucks lets you pay for that Trenta with the iPhone in your shaking, over-caffeinated hands, reports Engadget on 1/19/11).]
3. Mobio – Mobile payments meets [any participating merchant] QR code meets smartphone [wall-free customer experience transaction] via Vancouver, BC Canada based Mobio Identify Systems service.
4. Mogotix – QR code meets paperless event ticketing
5. clikbrix – House for sale meets drive-by prospect meets QR Code meets tech-savvy Realtor
6. Qlinks for Lynx [Orlando Bus] – How long until my bus actually arrives [versus scheduled to arrive]? – GPS meets QR Code meets smartphone for real-time bus arrivals
7. Calvin Klein Jeans – publicity stunt meets activating print with (scantily clad models) video. [Prediction: more buzz marketing campaigns leveraging 2D scan codes in 2011 from savvy marketers]
8. Movie Trailers (and buy movie tickets now)/TV Show Sneak Previews/Video Games – activating movie; TV shows and video game release print marketing campaigns with video. Examples: Fox TV Network;  Electronic Arts Medal of Honor video game; HBO; Starz; Target Christmas Catalog (video game) and Universal Pictures
9. Tommy Bahama – sunglasses meets activating print ad meets ‘buy now’ on a smartphone
10. Apple iTunes Store – newspaper and magazine print (and web) editorial content: it’s just easier and faster to scan the code to download the app; song, album, book or other digital content.

Which scan code uses in 2010 do you feel should have made this Top 10 list and why? Please comment below (and please include a URL pointing to your scan code example).

Special Thanks

• John Meyer for inspiring this blog post with his question, “What is the most creative use of 2D/QR barcode you have seen [in 2010].”

Bonus GREAT! Scan Code Lists:

• 101 Major U.S. National Brands Are Using Two Dimensional (2D) Scan Codes in 2010
• 50 Major Media Companies Using Two Dimensional (2D) Scan Codes in 2010
• 101 Uses for Quick Response Codes
• Top 300 ‘Must Read Quick Response Code Stories of 2010
• Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Integrating Scan Codes in your U.S. Marketing Plans

Bonus

Here are daily online newspapers about scan codes:

1. The @uSCANme #QRcode Daily published by @uSCANme (@smigrod)
2. The QR Media Daily published by @QRmedia
3. The Qr-Codes Daily published by @QRmedia
4. The #QR Daily using the Twitter hastag: #qr
5. The qr code Daily published by @waynesutton
6. The #qrcode Daily using the Twitter hastag: #qrcode
7. The #qrcodes Daily using the Twitter hastag: #qrcodes
8. The qr Daily published by @tppowers

For more daily online newspapers about scan codes, please click here.

___________________

Subscribe to the Free Daily Online Scan Code Newspaper From GREAT!

• The uSCANme QR Code Daily

That’s GREAT! Quick Response (QR) Scan Code Resources

1.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  101 Ideas for Using QR Codes
2.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  101 ‘Pointers’ for Using QR Codes
3.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  101 Major U.S. Brands Using QR Codes
4.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  50 Major Media Companies Using QR Codes
5.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Using QR Codes
6.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Top 10 Best QR Codes Uses in the U.S
7.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  (Video) ‘10 Reasons Free QR Codes Will Bite Me In The Tush’
8.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  (Video) What’s the Return on Investment (ROI) on QR Codes?
9.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  (Video) – 2011 is the Year of the Quick Response Code
10.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Multiple Choice:  (2010) (2011) (2012) is the Year of the QR Code
11.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Top 300 Must Read QR Code Articles
12.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Top 150 Must Read QR Code Articles
13.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  How Newspapers Can Use QR Codes to Delay the Demise of Print
14.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  QR Code Book : ‘I Live in the Future & Here’s How It Works
15.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Top 10 Reasons EZcodes Are Better Than QR Codes
16.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Guest Post: The 10 Commandments for Marketers
17.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Guest Post: How to Use QR Codes to Promote Your Business
18.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Guest Post: An Introduction to QR Codes
19.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Product Camp Atlanta: 25 QR Code Ideas in 10 Minutes
20.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Follow Dan Smigrod’s QR Twitter Account: uSCANme
21.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Free Daily Online QR Code Newspaper (The uSCANme Daily)
22.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  All ‘That’s GREAT!’ QR Code Lists, Videos, Articles and Resources

Bonus: GREAT! ScanLife Promo Code (“Invitation Code”) = great (for small, medium, large businessesand agency/resellers so you can play with a robust, paid scan code platform (For example: generate free QR codes to practice with and generate usage reports for these codes). When you are ready to use the scan codes commercially, please request a quote from ScanLife or email GREAT! CEO Dan Smigrod.

Short URL For This Story

• http://j.mp/10BestQRUses

__________________

*Though Quick Response (QR) brand scan codes are a registered trademark of Toyota subsidiary Denso-Wave, Quick Response Code (QR) are commonly – and incorrectly – used generically to refer to all two dimensional (2D) codes: including ScanLife EZcode brand codes; Microsoft Tag codes; datamatrix codes; and still other scan codes that are scanned or photographed on a smartphone such as an iPhone 4. Saying Quick Response code or QR code is like saying that you TIVOed the TV show when you actually used the Comcast brand digital video recorder to record the TV show.

Video: The Making of The New York Times Magazine Quick Response (QR) Scan Code Cover (12/19/10)

Disclosures

• GREAT! is a Referring Agent for the ScanLife platform. Use the GREAT! ScanLife Promo Code (“Invitation Code”) = great (for small, medium, large businesses and agency/resellers) so you can play with a robust, paid scan code platform). For example: generate free QR codes to practice with and generate free usage reports for these codes. When you are ready to use the scan codes commercially, please request a quote from ScanLife or email GREAT! CEO & Chief Creative Officer Dan Smigrod.

• GREAT! is a Value-Added Reseller (VAR) of scan codes. GREAT! provides clients and their agencies with: a) scan code implementation (the actual scan codes); b) strategy (best use of the scan codes); c) scan code management (including reports); d) fast-to-market; and, e) without costly and embarrassing mistakes common even by large; A-list brands. Turn-key scan code services are provided for a flat monthly fee. For a quote, please email GREAT! CEO & Chief Creative Officer Dan Smigrod.

*Though Quick Response (QR) brand scan codes are a registered trademark of Toyota subsidiary Denso-Wave, Quick Response Code (QR) are commonly – and incorrectly – used generically to refer to all Two Dimensional (2D) mobile barcodes: including ScanLife EZcode brand scan codes; Microsoft Tag codes; datamatrix codes; and still other scan codes that are scanned or photographed on a smartphone such as an iPhone 4. Saying Quick Response code or QR code is like saying that you TIVOed the TV show when you actually used the Comcast brand digital video recorder to record the TV show.