Mobile scan tags or QR (“quick release”) codes are like barcodes for a smartphone. When scanned with a smartphone application, users can be linked to a company website revealing additional sales and marketing information for a company. This powerful marketing trend is quickly becoming a must-have high-tech tool for marketing promotions and campaigns.
While early adopters of the new mobile tag have been mainly bigger companies with large marketing budgets and agency support, the mobile scan tag technology is widely available for businesses of any size to use for their local or national marketing promotions.
The Trend of Using Mobile Scan Tags for Marketing Campaigns
The mobile QR code scan trend is just beginning to pick up for consumer marketing. According to a 2011 study conducted by MGH, Inc. and reported on MarketingProfs.com, 32% of smartphone users have already used a QR code and 70% would be likely to use one in the near future.
Consumers are now seeing these specialized barcode scans displayed on everything from print ads to business cards and walls bathroom stalls. The technology is truly mobile and can capture the attention of consumers while on the go or in a buying situation. In fact, the same study reported by MarketingProfs.com stated that 72% of smartphone users would be likely or somewhat likely to remember an advertisement with a mobile QR code tag.
Marketing Promotion Ideas with Mobile QR Codes and Tags
With easy to download smartphone reader applications and QR codes that can easily be created with rendering tools such as Microsoft’s Mobi Tag Reader, adding a QR code scan campaign can be a great way to build on an existing marketing plan strategy template for a business.
Consumers can scan mobile QR code tags to get access to a variety of marketing promotion and campaign ideas, such as:
- Get a coupon or discount deal
- Access more detailed product information
- Enter a contest or sweepstakes
- Subscribe or signup to receive more information
- Watch online videos
- Make direct online purchases
- Interact with social media sites
- Download smartphone applications
There are also countless ways marketers can turn offline printed marketing materials into a measurable online campaign using mobile QR code scans. Simply placing a mobile tag scan on a traditional offline printed piece can transform it into a powerful call-to-action piece.
Marketing materials that can be used with mobile QR code scan promotions and campaigns include:
- Magazine or trade journal ads
- Brochures and sell sheets
- Trade show or event signs or posters
- Promotional merchandise or giveaways
- Direct mail postcards, letters or business reply cards
- Point of purchase signs
- Product packaging
- Business cards
Marketers can also tap into social media outlets to extend their communications with Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. A well-rounded mobile marketing campaign that integrates social media, digital media and traditional marketing tactics can generate a lot of PR buzz. With proper planning, mobile QR codes can be an integral part of a social media PR strategy as well as an integrated marketing promotion or campaign.
Sources
- Microsoft Tag Manager
- MarketingProfs.com
Diane Seltzer - Diane is a branding, pr and social media marketer with experience ranging from advertising to corporate marketing and consulting.
