Marketing with QR Codes

Quick Response Codes (QR Codes) are popping up all over the place. Smart phones can scan the QR and get information. I saw an article that QR codes are starting to be used for home marketing. This got me thinking that it could be a great idea for MF properites!

www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/feb/13/...ook-back-look-ahead/

Any thoughts?

I have been marketing with QR codes for a few months now. I found a site to create them for free and while the general public is not fully aware of what those funny little square boxes are when they see them... I think they'll catch on fast. I use them hoping that they will become a huge success in providing all the information about your property that a prospect could want... without having to create an overwhelmingly large, expensive ad.

Hi Tiffany & Don,

We're TOTALLY hooked on QR codes and place them on all materials we design for clients (including their FB Sidebars) unless they don't want them. It's such a convenient way for residents/potential residents to connect with your website & social media URL's without having to look for you or enter your address manually.

Happy QRing

The cool things is that they're not just for webpage links. You can also use them to communicate text type communications. Great for advertising promotions or a message that may not otherwise fit in your print ad!

Absolutely,the options are endless. We always make our son's Valentine goodies & it took all I could not to put one on Scooby this year, JINKIES!

Minneapolis For Rent Magazine cover shows the potential of using offline marketing material with QR codes to create an interactive online experience. In this example the QR codes link to a trackable marketing source through ForRent.com's mobile listings. Also notice the use of Microsoft Tag (Snap and Go) in the top right.

Hi Renee, is there any data you can share about how frequently the QR codes are used by prospects?

Are student housing providers starting to use qr codes to reach the smartphone savy students? If so do you know which companies?

Hi Mike, great question. I don't have any stats for you yet but will be happy to share them once we do. QR has so much potential and we're excited to see that our clients are open to using it. Although we offer Microsoft's Snap & Go, we're waiting to see how it progresses before getting behind it as strongly as QR.

One of the problems I have with QR Codes is that they are ugly. That ForRent cover would look much nicer WITHOUT them. Call me a weirdo for saying it but I think it bring the quality of your print down to include them... maybe it's just me.

You're so right Bill. We work really hard to create design pieces that feature QR where they look cool & techy instead of awkward. I recommend featuring QR on the bottom of a design or on the back of a card, etc. where it's visible but not the focus of the piece. If you would like to see what we're up to, just zip me an email at: [email protected]

I must say that I agree with Bill. . .they are ugly! I'm not sure I would want it on a beautifully designed marketing piece! Maybe it's just because we are not accustomed to seeing them yet. Might be alright if it was a nice purple!! :silly:

I think QR Codes will really hit the mainstream once you can find a way to get them to blend into whatever ad you create. You spend tons of bucks on really nice photos and copy and then WHAM! an ugly black and white thingy on a white background. Ugh.

We use QR codes frequently in our marketing efforts. I actually posted an article on my blog last year with QR code marketing ideas. We even use them in our email signatures instead of vCards.

The article also contains a link to a free QR code generator...good luck with your marketing efforts!

Blog article:
propmgmtthinktank.blogspot.com/2010/11/w...uares-all-about.html