We've all seen them; those peculiar looking checkered blocks that literally stop a person in their tracks. From discount cards to mobile marketing;the little 3-D squares seemed harmless at first. It was a lukewarm trend sprinkled among chain stores and neighborhood coffee shops. Then they started reproducing. You could see one coming on a passing bus, or catch it out of the corner of your eye as you passed a store window; even glimpse them on the dog-eared  pages of a fellow passenger’s magazine  as you rode the Light Rail to work.

They may look like something straight out of Atari’s Space Invaders circa 1980, but these little icons are a sign of a different invasion all together: mobile marketing guerrilla-style.

Mobility, Integration, and QR Codes; a Marketing Trifecta

Mobile marketing has been evolving steadily since the first smart phone hit the market in 2002. The successful integration of a mobile operating system and a phone opened up a whole new platform for marketing to users with an on-the-go lifestyle. It certainly didn’t take long for businesses to take advantage. Quick Response Codes (QR Codes) began cropping up everywhere. Those black and white boxes have become a staple of the current marketplace, and with good reason. 

Marketers know a golden ticket when they see it.  These secret incentives are a way to promote your business and draw customers in with swag-appeal.  This article will give you the exclusive advantage you need to maintain your competitive edge. You may not know much about QR codes now, but by the end of this article you’ll be ready to put them on everything from coasters to plastic business cards. 

Best Practices for Barcode Success

According to a recent mobile marketing survey from Scorecom, over 14 million Americans scan QR Barcodes on a monthly basis via mobile devices. By contrast, the Content Marketing Institute (CMI) reports that 64% of businesses are struggling to keep up with the demands for fresh content. What does all of this mean?  On one hand the supply isn’t meeting the demand; on the other with the right promotional tools the mainstream market is rife with potential.

Speaking of promotional tools, that’s where the public has gotten a little carried away. QR Code is on just about every piece of merchandise that isn’t tied down. It makes a simple task seem daunting. If you don’t know where to begin, you only need QR Codes in one place: on your business card.

Think about it, success in the mobile marketplace is founded on two principles:

1. Brand Recognition
2. Accessibility

What’s more recognizable and instantly accessible than a business card? To better illustrate the point, let’s look at 5 ways you can use nothing more than a business card and QR Codes to establish a successful branding campaign.

5 Ways to be a Brand Name Success

Task one: Set your objectives before starting a QR Code Campaign.  Whether the goal is to create engaging content, educate, or build brand loyalty; make sure to discuss it with your Plastic Printers design team so everything that’s printed stays brand-consistent.

Task two: Find ways to produce “portable” marketing while your digital QR Campaign is under construction. Successful QR Campaigns take time to launch; Plastic Printers has the perfect versatile solution. While your mobile-enabled content is under construction; use unique plastic business cards to fill your promotional void. Once the campaign is ready, simply add the QR Code to the pre-existing card template.

Task three: Once you launch, be everywhere. From your website to your rewards and discount cards; the goal is to keep the consumer at the heart of the campaign. One way to do this is to gear QR Rewards toward your target demographic through your business card. Link the cards to gift certificates and membership discounts to draw in prospective customers. Never treat brand promotion as an afterthought.

Task four: Offer a memorable marketing experience. Customers like business cards that are unique. Give your customers a chance to familiarize themselves with your band. Think about a card design that’s dynamic and interactive. Use fun dye-cut shapes like mustaches or an everyday item like a coaster. The point is to be memorable and intriguing so that customers want to check out the QR Code on the back of the card and see what your business is all about.   

Task five: Keep codes recognizable and user-friendly.  There is a reason barcodes are generated in a black and white contrasted format: it’s easy for phones and code readers to scan. Additionally, be sure to locate the QR barcode at eye or arm level so it can be scanned quickly and easily. Remember, your user is both tech-savvy and vocal. You want her/him to have good, complaint-free things to say about your business.

Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) also reports that 89% of people who receive a promotional item remember the name and logo of the company it concerns. Don’t miss out on all that branding potential. Let the helpful, knowledgeable staff at Plastic Printers introduce your company to the mainstream market with a memorable personal touch.

Contact Plastic Printers for a quote and get started today!