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QR Code Benefits for Reps [Agency Sales Magazine](Agency Sales Magazine Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) You probably have seen the "bothersome" little black and white square things on magazine pages and other printed ads. America is finally waking up 10 years after these QR Codes became a big hit in Japan and Europe. (QR means Quick Response.) These codes are scanned with Smartphones or Androids and quickly link to videos, phone numbers, brochures, coupons, membership offers, catalogs, etc. QR codes are fast, efficient and profitable. In the United States QR Code use jumped an incredible 9,840 percent in the second quarter of last year vs. second quarter of 2010. And, cell phones now are about 50 percent Smartphones with applications (Apps) for weather, picture taking, GPS navigating, music, newspaper subscriptions, books, and on and on - including software Apps for scanning these codes. (Source: www.directmarketingIQ.com) One example of this is a recent Brookstone catalog. On the back cover, they show five QR Codes, leading individually to store directions, online shopping, their 800 phone number, a Facebook link, and SWAGG - to send gift cards from one's Smartphone. All this is well and good, but it raises the ultimate question: How can I, as an independent manufacturers' rep, use QR Codes in selling the products and services I represent? To answer that question, the first step is to determine what you want your QR Code to do. For example, I created a short video about one of the products I sell to mail order catalogs, placed that video on www.youtube. com, and then entered the URL for that video at the QR Code providing website www.delivr.com. Clicking the mouse showed a FREE QR Code on my computer screen. Then that QR Code was sized via Photoshop software to about one-inch square and placed at the bottorn of my e-mails to customers who might be interested in that kind of product. Realtors are increasing their use of QR Codes. Scanning a QR Code on a For Sale Sign could lead to a Smartphone video showing the interior of the home and the Realtor's contact information. A rep could create a short video about his firm, perhaps including a mention of the types of products represented - a sort of electronic line card. And, that QR Code could be imprinted on the front or back of one's business card. Or the rep could put a magnetic sign on the side of the rep's car. An indirect technique of advertising/marketing is to create a short video about a civic club to which the rep belongs; then put together the YouTube and get a QR Code, and use the QR Code on club literature. The end of the video would, of course, carry a credit line something like, "Video provided by (name of Rep) and the phone number. It happens that I am a past director and newsletter editor of the nation's largest woodturning club. I created a short video of our December demonstration meeting highlights, put it on YouTube, got a QR Code, and you can see the results in Figure 2. Scan it and enjoy. Manufacturers of products for woodturners and woodworkers are likely to see this and get in touch to discuss representation. Some Comments on Creating Videos I have a Canon AR850 tape recording video camera that is about five years old. It works fine for this purpose. It plugs, via Firewire, into my external backup hard drive, which in turn Firewire connects to my Imac24 computer. The software used to make the movie is Apple's Imoviell. It is reasonably user friendly, but like learning to turn wood, learning the software is like learning a new piece of piano music - it is all in the "right strokes." If movie-making is not your cup of tea, invite a video-making family member or friend to help out. Dealing with technological changes is a challenge for busy reps. Not keeping up with major tech change, such as QR Codes is, however, a ticket to the bye-bye bin. Approach all this with an attitude of having fun, and experiment. You will be amazed. I was, and I still am. Here are some additional steps to get you started: * Google "QR Codes" and read about their history and uses. Some QR Codes are free - others are not. * There are approximately three other types of QR Codes, but the one shown in this article is gaining the most popularity. Microsoft Tag is a different type of QR Code, using small triangles in a square box. This is used in the green goods (e.g., potted plants) area. There is a different scanning App for this code. * Make sure the "landing site" works to which the persons scanning your QR Code are linked. One common error is sending folks to a regular website URL, the structure of which is not suitable for reading on a Smartphone. * The firm providing you with your QR Code often provides tracing information too, so you can see the number of times your code is scanned. (This is also free at www.delivr.com.) * You can use your QR code to interface with social media like Facebook, etc. I have not so far, but you might. * Don't look dumb. Test the landing site to which your QR Code sends people. Also, test it with selected principals and customers. Refine as needed. * www.get.beetagg.com is another source. So is www.directmarketingIQ.com. * Use your QR Codes(s) on trade show signs and handouts. * Learn what your customers are doing with QR Codes. How can you help them? A MANA member for more than 20 years, Bob Heltman is the founder/CEO of Leading Edge Products & Services, Inc., Hendersonville, North Carolina. Visit: www.leadingedgepands.com. (c) 2012 Manufacturers' Agents National Association |