By Amanda Bala

Have you seen a QR code? My guess is that you have, but you may not have known what it was. QR codes have been popping up everywhere on different products, art, tourism and now even in marketing.  So, what exactly are they?  In short, they are bar codes, similar to those you see on packages in the supermarket or other stores.  A QR code (short for Quick Response) is a specific two-dimensional barcode that can now be read by smart phones. You need to download a QR code application and just snap a picture of it with your camera (phone). From there the code will be decoded.  The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information that is on the QR code can be text or other data and can be decoded at very high speeds.

These codes originated in Japan, but are starting to catch on in the US and other parts of the world.  At first, the QR codes were being used in vehicle manufacturing, but over the past several years their uses have become very diverse.  And now through mobile tagging, you can get information from a code via text message, vCard or smart phone application.

QR codes can store addresses, website URL’s, product information and much more. They can be put on packages, in magazines, on billboards and signs and just about anywhere else a person might look to get information.  For example, a quick scan of a QR code, you could get all the nutritional information to compare two different brands of food.  You could scan a QR code on a brochure and get the data about a specific place.  You could scan a QR code in a magazine to find out the price, ingredients and where to buy specific make-up. You could scan the QR code of a restaurant and see their menu, prices, etc.  The applications go on and on.  There has even been some very controversial talk that someday people may have QR codes.  Just take a scan and know all there is to know about that individual.  Scary?  Maybe a little… but maybe the future. 

Not all smart phones have QR code reading capability. This is a technology that has been slower to catch on in the US then in the East.  However, if technology has shown us anything, it is that it is always changing.  QR codes may very well be the future in marketing and product advertisement.

By Erin Robinson

Knock, Knock, Ring, Ring

If you own a business… especially a Business-to-Consumer business, chances are that you have been approached by an advertising sales solicitor… if not hundreds of them.

Most of them are fantastic people, however, they are doing their job, which is to sell advertising for their particular media company to you.

The one thing that you need to know is that these folks are not marketers. They are in sales.  They do not look at your big picture or track your ROI. They only sell 1 singular media and typically don’t care how it works with your other marketing tactics.  Several of them will show up day in and day out when it comes to pitching you… then when you sign the contract and make your payment, they aren’t anywhere to be found.  Now don’t get me wrong… I am not putting them down. I work with handfuls of them from every medium every day. I am just saying that they have a job to do, which is to sell you their advertising package from their single medium. And quite frankly, most of them are very good at their jobs.

So how do you know what advertising will work for your business?  My recommendation is to utilize a Media Buyer…. No, I’m not just saying this because it is a service that we offer. Media Buyers work with your entire marketing  plan and see your big picture. They buy several mediums, they have systems and relationships in place, and can often times negotiate a better a deal for you. In addition, they can take the frustration of dealing with solicitors off of your back. If you get another phone call, or door-to-door solicitor… direct them to your media buyer. It’s as easy as that.

If you choose to continue to take matters into your own hands, then here’s a few questions that you might want to ask yourself prior to committing to anything:

Does this media reach my target audience?

Will it effectively communicate my message?

Is it a reputable source with proven track record?

How much time will it take and can I invest the time to implement it effectively?

What are my goals and do I truly feel this media can achieve my goals?

Do my customers/clients pay attention to this medium?

How will this medium allow me to track my results and ROI?

Am I making it easy on my customers to find me?

Remember… advertising takes time and frequency. If you don’t know what you are doing, check into hiring a pro. If you continue to buy media on your own, then make sure that you negotiate rates, ask for “added value” and check into the media’s cancellation policy prior to committing. If the medium is online, then always ask for traffic numbers and tracking reports. If they don’t want to tell you the numbers or provide tracking… Then, see ya!