By sunnylogsdon | Published: May 17, 2011

Print and online are like chocolate and peanut butter. (Stay with me here.) They are good all on their own, but when you put them together … wow! That’s exactly the combination Quick-Response (QR) codes can create for your marketing efforts.

So you’ve heard of QR codes but aren’t sure how to use them as a consumer, much less in your marketing?

Let’s start with the basics.

What is a QR code?
QR codes essentially act as barcodes, except instead of costing you money they drive your customers online with encoded text, URLs, or other data. Users simply scan the code with a dedicated QR barcode reader or a camera phone and the code will automatically open your desired media.

Codes typically consist of a black square pattern on a white background, but more and more we’re seeing new designs as the technology progresses; like Glamour magazine’s cool Facebook icon printed throughout the publication. The September 2010 issue featured Facebook QR codes on everything from advertisers to feature stories so readers could simply scan the code to instantly “like” it on Facebook, driving their readership online while spurring activity with their social media campaign and building their Facebook community.

Two great QR code examples:

* Medical journal NEUROSURGERY® had been using QR codes for months in their advertisements and inserts before using them throughout the hardcopy, giving readers access to supplemental digital content like figures, tables, and videos. By linking their print content with the digital content with QR codes, they were able to offer readers an online experience that enhances the print experience.

Why we like this? Not only does it draw readers to the website, but it also syncs up all the marketing channels with video and print while giving readers an added value and a chance to interact with the content online. This gives them a measured response rate and easy-to-track ROI. Not sure if we’d want to see live surgery videos, but their readers sure might!

* McMinnville, Oregon, winery R. Stuart & Co. recently printed a QR code on their 2010 vintages that, once scanned, sends customers to a contest page where they can submit photos or videos of themselves with their favorite bottle of Big Fire wine and their friends or family.

Why we like this? First of all, we like anything involving wine! But more importantly, it instantly engages customers with the brand and captures a naturally social moment. Customers are likely to return online to see if their photo won, and it also gives the winemakers a chance to continue the conversation with their customers and get a better grasp on their demographic.

The bottom line? Instead of isolating your marketing efforts by choosing print or online, use QR codes to drive integration between your print and online efforts.
Edited by Rich Steeves

http://it.tmcnet.com/channels/cloud-computing/articles/172772-what-cloud-computing.htm

Take advantage of the Power of Print & Digital and give them multiple ways to find you online!…with a QR code in your Press Democrat print ad and a web ad on the North Bay’s largest website, Pressdemocrat.com. HALF-OFF!!!!