QR codes: What are they?
Do you know what a QR code is?
You may have seen them. They are square bar codes you can scan in using an app on your smart phone.
They haven’t been widely adopted just yet, but some companies who are using them have been really creative.
Check out what JCPenney did this last holiday season.
“When you purchased a gift from any JCPenney store, you received a “Santa Tag” with an accompanying QR code. By scanning the code, the giver could record a personalized voice message for the recipient. The the giver stuck the code on the package like a gift card.” (source: Mashable.com)
I think that’s pretty cool!
If JCPenney also encouraged people to sign up to their newsletter, or gave them a coupon for their next purhase, it would be a GREAT way to build their database or encourage new purchases.
In fact, the marketing manager of a local golf course told me they strategically placed QR codes around their golf course and their newsletter database increased from approx 200 subscribers to 1,200 in a few short months.
Think about your audience. Are they early adopters? Do they love new technology?
If they do, you might want to think “out of the box” (pun intended) to creative ways you can leverage this tool to achieve your strategic goals.
What unique strategies have you seen?
