What Are Those Funny Looking Bar Codes?
QR codes are two dimensional images that look like blobs of black on a white background. They are similar to standard bar codes but have much more functionality. QR codes are encoded with information ranging from text, photos, and videos, to website addresses and are scanned by smart phones. They are used to send those who scan the codes to places online and are very effective marketing tools. “QR” stands for “quick response” which is in total alignment with the world today. Everyone wants everything NOW!
QR codes can be used in marketing to direct potential or current customers to any URL and add the ability to track and measure direct mail and email campaigns when used in conjunction with cross media marketing solutions.
Some Facts About QR Codes
Having originated in Japan and currently being used by only some companies in the US, QR codes are still in the infancy stages, so if you use them you’ll be seen as being ahead of the curve.
They are easily read by most mobile phones (unless you are like me and still have a cell phone from the dark ages)
QR codes are easy to generate. There are many places online where you can generate your own QR code based on your criteria for free. Try it out for yourself here.
Google likes them.
Adds interactivity and functionality to static print pieces.
Adds the ability to track and measure direct and email marketing campaigns – something that has been traditionally missing in marketing activities.
Used in conjunction with other cross media services such as variable data printing, QR codes help take your marketing efforts to the next level.
If you are reading this blog and do not live in prehistoric times like I do, please try scanning my QR code above into your phone and let me know what you see 
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QR codes make sense to me on business cards. When I meet someone at a networking event, someone interesting, someone I'd like to do business with, I really don't want to sit there to add them to my phone manually. That's so 1990! lol
Besides, meeting people a networking events can be difficult considering you may not remember everyone you meet or even have the chance to follow-up with them after the event.
Remember when you first tired to explain QR codes at Paneras? Wow, how funny was that! Now I get it. It only took me several months.
Hey Angie, I do remember the blank stare LOL. Did you check my coded above for me?
I know what you mean about trying to remember names and faces. I get home and am like "Who was that again"? I think I have some sort of name memory brain damage!
Hi Julie,
Liked the video a lot. It makes sense to connect the offline and online with something like this. Do you know what the uptake on businesses using QR codes?
Hi Susan. Glad you liked it – I have a strange sense of humor (and so does Shane as it is his content). Businesses that use QR codes as part of direct mail campaigns have a TON to gain. For example, if a company designs a campaign around an event – say an opening of a showroom – they can send out the invites with a QR code to scan that will take the receiver to a page asking for their email address and name to get a discount coupon or some other incentive. This becomes then part of a lead acquisition program. There can be different levels to the campaign where the recipient is taken to a brief questionnaire (4 or 5 questions) that can work to qualify if they are a cold or warm lead. For example, if the company is a kitchen/bath fixture company and they are inviting people to their showroom opening, one of the questions can be "Are you planning on doing any remodeling in the next 3 months?" This part of the process gives the company a head's up prior to the event about which attendees are most likely to make purchases in the near future and the sales staff can be sure to give those people more attention at the event. Make sense?
Ha! Well, u got me to get out my barcode scanner and use it and I have to admit it was fun. QR codes are the saving grace of print. Last fall I hosted networking event and every ticket had a QR code on it so I could simply scan ticket holders at the door. Simple, speedy, high tech and fun.
Hi Catherine. Yes they are – they will help keep the print industry alive – in my opinion. If companies are already spending money on print and postage for direct mail campaigns, to NOT use QR codes would be a waste of their money. They are so easy to use and add a great amount of value and functionality. Maybe someday I will actually get a smart phone and be able to take advantage of the pros of QR codes – especially at networking events
Yes indeed. I've seen this images and appreciate your blog post so that I can now make sense of them. In addition to what you've outlined, I can imagine it eliminating the need to clip and print coupons pr special offers. We can just have our phone's scanned (except me who also lives in the dark ages.) Won't be long before companies promote them in their "going green" campaigns.
Interesting article and comments Julie. Am too much in the dark ages to start using QR codes though.
Unless of course people had it on their business cards and I could use it like Angie suggests:)
Sounds like an exciting new technology with a lot of potential. (Why aren't I surprised that it originated in Japan?) From your answers to the questions in your comments, looks like you could write a follow-up post on some of the benefits and potential uses of QR codes.
Great post! Thanks.
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@Keyuri: I knew we were kindred spirits – both having stupid phones
.
@Catarina: Do you have a smart phone? Have you seen others using them on their business cards? I obviously don't know exactly how it works as I can't scan any but would be interested in hearing how easy it makes adding a contact to your phone address book.
@Sherryl: The funny thing is that it is not new technology – only newly appreciated and used more frequently in the US. Thanks for the suggestion for my next blog post
These little guys are going to become more and more popular. My wife works with QR codes all the time in the promotions industry. They put it on everything you can imagine.
Julie – I've had a QR app on my IPhone for a while but have never used it. I do see QR codes in stores. I opened up the app and put it up against the computer screen on your QR codeand when I turned it around I saw this page. I'm not sure – is that what I was supposed to see or was the QR code supposed to take me someplace else? Anyway, another new-fangled gadget to play with. Thanks for the tutorial.
@Jeannette: You saw this blog page when you scanned the code into your phone? I thought I put the main website in LOL. Who knows. I know about these things, write about them, but don't use them yet….. soon
@Dennis: I do believe you are right. I think because they are something relatively new & catchy, make things easier, and save time. That is what everyone wants today right?
Hi Julie,
QR codes on business cards an interesting concept. Besides the obvious benefit it would show that you are a "with it" state of the art technical guy even if you haven't a clue what you are doing. Image and first impressions are so important.
Riley
Hey Julie,
LOL!!! I'm like you girl, I'm still in the dark ages when it comes to cell phones. I don't even text! I know, I'm pathetic and SO behind the times.
This was news to me and of course, why would I know this right! Dang, you are one smart cookie I will give you that.
After reading your post and watching the video, I guess I'm still a little confused on their benefits. Let's face it, how many people "print" things out these days. Okay, maybe people like me who still like to review things the "old way". But then would people really scan their phones with this code? See, I told you I was confused.
But thanks for this insightful information. I love it when I learn something new. Thanks for sharing this.
Adrienne
@Riley: Good point about being with "it". Maybe I need to stop publicizing the fact that I still have a "stupid" phone? LOL
@Adrienne: I do text but can't read what I wrote unless I have my glasses on and have been known to show up as one of my children's FB statuses when what I write is really bizarre. They like to make fun of their mother – I told them to watch out because one day they too will be old and BLIND and remind them that their cell phones have another neat function. It is called TALKING!
. The benefits to using QR codes are really powerful. When used to scan contact information directly into the cell phone, it is easy to do and people like easy. You mentioned the fact that many people don't print things out these days and I do agree with you to some extent. However, for companies that are already doing direct mail campaigns and many are – there is still something to be said about receiving a visually appealing postcard that you can hold in your hand – the addition of QR codes adds tremendous functionality. Thanks so much for your comments 
The best use for qr codes i've seen is on business cards.
I scanned the card and were taken for a video description of what the particular freelancer does.
Amazing
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HI Angel. Thanks for sharing your impression of that QR code experience. They are really valuable if used correctly and a video description linked to from a QR code is a great marketing tool!
OK – I have been seeing these things here and there – and I was looking forward to getting an explanation – which I did ta very much.
Trouble is, I have no idea how to “scan it with your mobile”. How does that work?
Anyway – sounds like these things could be useful – business cards, flyers etc. However, it would require a more tech savvy audience than the likes of me to realise the full potential I suspect.
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