Tip on the QR Code reader: Use QR Scanner.
Two of us at work both tried the App for “QR code for I phone” and it didn’t work for either of us. So we asked around and found out that at least out here in Hawaii, people are having success with “QR Scanner”. We both downloaded it, me being so silly, I tried to point the picture part of my phone on it to get it to work..LOL.. of course that didn’t work. Then I pretended like I was taking a picture of the code and Voila! it made a cool vibration then took me directly to advertisinginhawaii.com We went on to make a few more codes at QR Code.kaywa.com and took pictures of them. The cool thing here is the App remembers the sites, so now All I do is go to my QR Scanner and point my finger at the name of the website and Bam! it takes me to my favorite websites that I have QR codes for.
Promoting my Code:
Well for me, I learned years ago back in H.S that the best way to learn something is by doing it. I can still remember when the teacher asked us “What is the best way to learn math?” and I responded “to just do it” So, me being all excited about my new QR code, I didn’t wait around or think up some master marketing plan to promote it. I copied 30 of the codes on to plain white paper, then went and put them up everywhere. I taped them to all my notebooks, put them on doors around work, then went *guerilla and slapped them up all around Chinatown, after that I put a few on my car, then in the lobby of where I live, and of course on the walls of my own condo. This was fun for me to do because I was so excited about how these codes work. It still amazes me how the crazy looking black and white marks take you directly to where you wan to go. *Note: Guerrill in Chinatown, probably not the most legal way to advertise in Hawaii, but lots of fun and I’ll clean them up after the weekend is over. I walk the same way to my car practically everyday.
A few upgrades on promoting this way:
I’d spend a bit more time and laminate them or turn them into stickers. But like my math teacher and I agreed, the best way to learn something is by doing it. Weather it’s starting a blog, making a new website, starting to tweet, etc my recommendation is-dont sit around and wait until things work or the world is perfect-just go out and do it. Especially if you can do it for free!
Marketing your QR Code in a more proper manner:
Aaah to funny, I’ve been doing marketing, advertising and promotions way to long to leave you hanging with “just go out and put pieces of paper up around your work, neighborhoods and homes”. Whenever I need an advertising specialty item or as we used to call them back in the 90’s-Tsotkes(chotskies)-*I’m glad we don’t call them that anymore, was way to hard to remember the word and way, way too hard to spell it. I go to my favorite provider-Judy Goo at D&J Specialties and ask her what’s hot and happening and in this case Square.
Judy recommended: Key Chains or as they say in the specialty advertising industry-Key Tags. These will fit your QR code on one side and a fun sentence on the other. And they are pretty inexpensive. Shoot Judy an email at: judyg@djspec.com and she’ll take good care of you.
Judy’s “engaging”(Note: engaging or engagement-probably the hottest word of 2011) sales reps recommended these items:
From Chantel: chantel@djspec.com:
Luggage Tags-When you travel, good way to meet friends and nice way for them to remember you.
Mints/Gum-Convenient, small, easy to access.
Bottle Opener Key chains-for those who wine and dine with their clients
Golf Items-Such a perfect match-business and Golf.
From Mike Tom: Mike@djspec.com
T shirts-what a fun conversation starter!
Screen Cleaners-Reusable, inexpensive and “fun” like stickers
Adhesive notepads, scratch pads
Business cards/flyers and print Ads
At least a year ago I spotted this on trendhunter.com and loved it even though at the time I didn’t quite know what a QR code even was:
P8tch.com– Rad looking Patches with Mysterious commando designs on top with your QR code on the bottom. Even a year ago, I almost ordered a few of these, even though I didn’t know what the codes were used for, the patches just looked so HOT!
Have fun promoting your new or old QR code-Have a Great Weekend!
Advertising In Hawaii 