Sean McCool

Direct Marketing Strategist

Have you noticed them… those digitized black and white squares showing up in magazines… on ads… and even on billboards?

They could be your ticket to more sales in 2012.

Of course, as with any marketing, it will only lead to more sales if it’s done correctly and with the consumer in mind.

Before I get into the 5 ways you can use QR Codes to boost sales this year, let’s back up and talk about what they are.

What are QR Codes anyway?

QR Codes are simply shortcuts (quick responses) to take a reader from a physical world like an ad or package to a digital space like your website, your Facebook page or your YouTube channel. The options are only limited by your own imagination.

Your prospects or customers can use a smart phone with a reader app to read the codes. And they are doing it. According to www.comScore, 20.1 million mobile phone owners in the US used their devices to scan a QR code in the three-month average period ending October 2011. At least one of those might be a good prospect for your business.

Inc. Magazine says it best, “A QR Code or other 2-D tag can link to just about anything. But whatever content you send back to the user must be something worthwhile.”

So, how should you use a QR Code in your business?

Let me count the ways…

5 ways you can use QR Codes

  • Business Card – Put your code on your business card and lead them to a page of testimonials or a page of frequently asked questions on your website.
  • Mailer Coupons – Use a code to take people to a portfolio page for nice high resolution pictures that my not fit on a mailer card.
  • Yard Sign – Use the code on a yard sign and link it to a special page on your website just for people in that neighborhood. Or, again go to a page of before and after photos.
  • Truck Sign – You could use your smart phone to take a video of yourself standing next to your truck introducing yourself and offering a free quote. Just post the video to YouTube for free and create a code to link to your new video.
  • Shirts and Hats – Put a code on your company shirts and send people to any of the pages mentioned above.

Bonus Idea – Use your code to send people to a page that offers a free report titled: The Three Biggest Mistakes People Make When Choosing Stone Contractors. At the end of the report, make sure to tell them how to get in touch with you for a free quote.

Where to get your QR Codes

There are plenty of free places to get your QR codes. You shouldn’t have to pay for this service. One service that seemed easy to use and also offers good ideas is: www.uqr.me

You can also get custom codes that will match your company colors or allow you to put your logo in the middle. One service is www.customqrcodes.com

Custom QR Codes will cost you some money but they could also make your code standout as the codes become more and more popular.

And remember QR Codes, like any marketing ideas, can be used in the wrong way. The problem is not where you might use them, it’s where your code takes the reader.

The code should always advance the sales process. By the reader scanning the code, they should get more information – not the same info that was in the ad.

Bottom Line

QR Codes are another tool to advance the sale. As long as you keep the prospect or customer experience in mind, you should be able to create codes that will be useful, informative, and get you one step closer to new clients in 2012.

Sean McCool is a an award-winning marketer and success coach. He can help you create marketing materials or just talk with you about what’s possible for your business. You can contact or leave a message for him through his website www.SeanMcCool.com.