Monday, July 14, 2014

Big Brands and QR Codes 2014

At QR codes of Note, we have long forecasted that when smart phones and tablets reach saturation levels in the public format, marketing with QR codes will get a serious and closer look.

QR codes can perform many tasks, not just a simple visit to a mobile site.

In 2014, big brands like PayPal have already invested in research and development and are now embracing QR codes in a big way: point of sale (POS) transactions by a quick scan of the featured PayPal QR code

Notice this code is not the stand alone, black and white edition standard in marketing in years past. QR code in North America are moving in the direction the rest of the world is already in, and that is, a more visually appealing design and compelling call to action.

When are you getting onboard with QR codes? Are you going to let your competitor beat you to it?  


BIO: Written by branded QR code strategist: Rhonda Smolarek from QR Codes of Note, an industry leader in mobile marketing. Your customer has smart technology and takes it everywhere, you brand message should be easily accessible. For QR designs and their marketing strategy, you may reach Ms. Smolarek at info@QRCodesOfNote.com.






Friday, March 28, 2014

Vanity Plates for your FB Fanpage or Business Page

We notice that many of our facebook friends who have a Fanpage, for themselves or their business, are using the generated FB URL they received when they created their profile and do not have a customized FB URL. Sometimes we don't know what we don't know! With a customized FB URL, you can simplify the way you add your FB name to your email signature and business communications.

For example, instead of an URL like this: Facebook.com/JaneSpear49374/7565788/ref=td

Which is not easy to remember. Once your page reaches 30 Likes, this number sometimes has changed, you can have an URL like this:

Facebook.com/JaneSpear

Facebook recommends you consider the extension you'll use prior to committing, and create a "handle" as close as possible  to your public figure name or business name. This change will be permanent, non-transferrable and unalterable.  These usernames can be only Alphanumeric characters [a-z, 0-9] or a period[.].

Once you have given this some thought, go to www.facebook.com/username

Choose "Select a Username...", a drop-down menu appears, select the page you want to make a user name for. If your page has reached 30 Likes (or whatever the number required is today) a box will appear. Then you enter your desired name, FB checks for availability. If that name is available for use, terms for use will appear. If you are happy with the selection, click "confirm" or if not, choose "cancel" in order to try another name.

When you have success, you are ready to share your new Facebook URL:

www.Facebook.com/YourBizName

REMEMBER: this won't work until you have reached 30 or the required number of FB Likes
   
Questions? Leave your question or comment below and we will answer them!

Bio: Rhonda Smolarek, Social Media coach, Mobile Marketing Graphics and Extraordinary Promo Products. www.Facebook.com/QRCodesOfNote , www.Facebook.com/smbSocialMediaWorkshop.com Let's have a Like-Like relationship!

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Mobile Marketing...

Look around and take notice that mobile device  use, smartphones and tablets, are pandemic right now. It is time for smart marketing, that is, marketing with mobile strategies.

Share on Facebook, Twitter, Google+.

As research and statistics on this eloqua chart reveals, 70% of mobile searches lead to an action within one hour whereas it takes an entire month for the same percentage of desktop users to take action.

81% of smartphone users have performed research via their smartphone.  50% have made a purchase with their smartphone.

Currently, reporting shows that 34% have scanned  a QR (quick response) code with smartphones. Presumably, these scans went to the widespread, plain looking codes. Studies have shown, however, that when QR codes are branded with graphics or logo's, smartphone users are more likely to engage. Whether this is from curiosity or the perceived value from a branded code, it is unmistakable that graphics make a difference.

Graphics are always better than un-adornment when it comes to advertisement but coupling with a value to the scan goes even further. This is evidenced from historical uses of loyalty reward cards that have standard bar codes on them. Offers like "Buy 10 get one free" or "10% member discount" have long encouraged consumers to sign-up for loyalty reward programs.  Since a QR code is a 2-d bar code, in the right marketing hands, these codes can feature customer loyalty reward value in lieu of the oft boring links to a website (Contact QR Codes Of Note for loyalty rewards programming for your marketing projects).

MOBILE MARKETING 2014, it's time to include smart marketing in your game plan. Things are changing and the sooner you get on board, the better for your business goals.

Questions and Comments are always welcome. 

Check out our other articles:
What is a QR code? 
Marketing with a QR code?



BIO: QR Codes Of Note™ , a leader in mobile marketing, invites you to Follow along at Facebook.com/qrCodesOfNote to stay current with Mobile Marketing with quick response codes and if you are a SMB (small or medium business) Facebook.com/smbSocMed is also a great new site to get good info on Social Media marketing trends as well as webinar training. This group of professionals is lead by Rhonda Smolarek, founder of QR Codes Of Note™, bringing custom QR Codes to life since 2012.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Mobile is Everywhere, Time to Behave?

In 2014, Mobile is everything.  Everything and everywhere. Go to any public place, work place, and or relax place and you will see mobile devices (smart phones and tablets) in use.  Mobile and Social Media go hand in hand, one is used to connect to the other.

What does mobile mean to you as a small business professional? Some timely realization is that with mobile being everything and everywhere, giving thoughtful application to your online presence or footprint is now a timely consideration. In 2014, the competition is fierce for customer experience.  The customer experience begins online for the most part. You and or your business are easily researched, quickly rejected when your posts are considered offensive or you are not credible or even nice. Like it or not, opinions are formed and you are always a click away from that follow. We don't suggest you adopt paranoia, or put your head in the sand, but some skilled awareness about what and how you are sharing are in order.

With Social Media, you are your own media department. Social media is like a really big cocktail party, and the way you conduct yourself and respond to others is noticed by those considering engaging into business and interpersonal relationships with you. Are you falling into pitfalls that are considered online no-no's? Are you sending accurate and positive messages? Are you being off putting without realizing?

Competition heats up in 2014. Unless you are the only one who does what you do, this is the year to be skillful, fun, and engaging simultaneously.  People are using their mobile devices to connect and they are mostly into light hearted, unique, positive and relevant posts. Do you have a blend of these elements in your posts? Do you do what everyone else is doing? Are you paying attention? Are you savvy about new uses with social media?

It is time to brush up on Social Manners and Social Analytics. Social media is not necessarily a big waste of time if you know how to use it to advantage.  If you are not seeing results with social media, however, you are likely wasting your time. 2014 is the year to learn how to win at this fun medium.

smbSocialMediaWorkshop.com offers private, personalized webinars where you can ask your pressing questions without 20-40 other classmates present. We also offer small class webinars for a lower price point. Our webinars are recorded for your review at your convenience, they are included in the price of the personal webinar and purchased optionally with a class. Our class times are Mountain Time, we are in the Denver time zone.

Remember, in the year 2014, mobile is everything, make sure you know how to leverage it.


Sources: Gartner: Mobile Forbes: 2014 Mobile Payment 7 Ways to Deal w A-holes on FB Mobile Device Onslaught Tablet Image