QR Codes

Okay so this post isn't real estate specific but I've come across quite a few people who don't know what QR codes are and since you might start seeing them pop up I thought I would share what I know about them.

QR (quick response) codes are supposed to be the next big thing in marketing. I just saw one on my REI mailer that I got other day and I heard there are some on bus stops. They are basically a barcode that anyone can scan using their smart phone (you just have to download a free QR scanner). These barcodes can take you to a website, play a video for you, send you a text message, share contact info and I'm sure much more.

Here is an example of just plain text.

 

I never get sick of this video.



I have only been using QR codes two ways so far.

I put them on the back of my business cards that take you to my mobile website.



And I put them on my open house flyers so people can share details about the house with their friends and family or just save the information to look at later. Here is one from an open house I did a few weeks ago.




How do you make your own QR code?

It's easy just go a QR code generator website such as http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ and have fun creating your own. Once you generate the code you can copy and paste them on whatever you want. Make sure you test out your code, especially if you are using it for marketing purposes.

I tried thinking of fun ways to use QR codes:

Maybe make a personalized video and put a QR code in the card you send your friend or family member so they can see you belting out "Happy Birthday" for them.

It might be cool to get a QR code printed on a coffee mug for your sweetie so they can scan it in the mornings and get an encouraging note. I don't know how that would work and I wouldn't put anything on there that you wouldn't mind his or her coworkers scanning...

Do you have any fun creative ways to use a QR code?