SoLoMo and QR Codes

SoLoMo is the new buzz word for to pay attention to if you want to engage consumers.  SoLoMo refers to the American shopping trend.  Shop socially, search locally and do it all using mobile devices (smart phones, iPads and tablets).  

If you are not tuned in to the SoLoMo thing you will quickly be left behind according to current (2013) research by Eventility, and event promoting entity. 

• Eventility highlights 97% of consumers now search for local businesses online.  Remember, smart phones are used for online searches. 
• 72% trust online reviews, 61% of younger demographics refer to social media to choose dining locales. 
• The biggest attention getter: 78% of small businesses now receive 1/4 of their new customers from social media.

Let us talk about the oft misunderstood QR codes.  I read the current press from self-proclaimed marketing experts that QR codes are dead.  These little blog reporters don’t quote sources or provide numbers.  They seem to tell you what to think about QR codes.  

This article aims to respect your intelligence, rather than telling you what to think, here are numbers and sources to help you decide for yourself.  

To quote Mark Twain: 

"The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated."

The May 2013 Entrepreneur magazine, a credible source, in their SoLoMo print magazine article, reports that Apple and Starbucks are using currently harnessing QR codes for purchases.  When big names talk, they lend cred to QR codes because these generally do research on their own and determine what is effective and therefore relevant.

My source, the Chief Marketer, in a 2012 mobile marketing survey determined: 51% of all print ads contain a QR code.  Below are examples of QR code use by big brands in 2013.

26 Mar 2013 Gillette ad using QR codes (and Kate Upton)

20 Feb 2013 Wal-Mart Self-checkout stores use QR Codes

Swimsuit Models Come to Life Via QR Codes in Lexus Print Ad

Maserati enhances print ad with optimized QR code content

 Back to SoLoMo: regarding the QR (quick response) route, do you know that 129 million Americans own a mobile device ? They are using their mobiles recreationally and because they are fun toys.  If you have an attractive and prominently placed QR code that makes an offer, you compel the consumer to take out their beloved toy and investigate.  If you hide some generic, selfish QR code in a bottom corner with no offer besides the joy of visiting your website, well, frankly you deserve to go overlooked.  When people tell me QR codes are not effective, and I consider myself an expert, I can quickly sum up the problem: it is not the QR code that is the problem it is the marketing that is the problem.  If you want a fish to ride a bicycle and it can’t, is something wrong with the fish? It doesn’t take an Einstein to figure that out.  

SoLoMo.  Social networks are accessed by mobile media to dine, purchase, hire and shop locally.  I bet you feel smarter about your marketing.  Bank on boosting your SoLoMo with a branded QR (quick response) code created by a professional to get the intelligent marketing your business deserves. 

The next time some rigid oldster tells you that QR codes are dead, be sure to help him or her across the street.  Or if it is some microscopic blogger telling you QR codes have faded, ask them for the facts that support their article.  We all know that a lie can get halfway around the world before the truth even puts it's pants on and opinions are not facts.

QRCodesOfNote.com brings you this intelligent article.

Some big brands and how they are using QR codes in 2013:

QR Codes

What’s up with the QR code thingies?

QR thingys, or quick response code, is a scannable code that gives your business a boost by sharing the embedded information .  A QR code reader, or scanner as it is commonly called, can be downloaded from smart phone app stores.  The QR scanner is pointed at the code and then the embedded information appears.  Scanners are a great app to have on your phone as they allow barcodes and QR codes to be scanned providing information like merchandise prices at multiple locations for consumer products of all kinds.  

Say you saw some great item at the store, scan it and get the price for the same item at venues all around town or as far away as you seek. 

A QR code though, can be embedded with things like:

any contact information ❧ URL’s ❧ mobile web pages ❧ coupon offers
❧ event announcements ❧ promotions ❧ possibilities abound
and then placed on:
business cards email ❧ mass mailing ❧ car magnets ❧ lawn sign (real estate)
❧ office window sign ❧ flyers ❧ posters ❧ and more

QR codes don’t have to be the boring black and white code you are seeing here and there.  We can create QR codes for you that are attention getting, colorized and infused with your brand logo.  Our QR code marketing ideas aren’t just some square shoved into your marketing material like an after thought.  We can design innovative and attractive marketing material that makes your message shine to your target market.

Once scanned, information can be saved directly to your phone.  QR codes are great for invitations like to graduation parties, wedding announcements, corporate events.  I am sure you can think of a way to make use of them.  

Where can you get a creative QR code made and then what can you do with it?

contact: Olive.Rosehips@yahoo.com

or go to the QR codes of note website found here

Olive, a multimedia graphic design artist specializes in QR code marketing which includes incorporating codes onto exciting products like car magnets, t-shirts, invitations, announcements, yard signs, business cards...