Profiting from QR Codes

We spend significant time on this blog focusing on the basics, because manufactured housing – as do all other businesses or professions – need the fundamentals for sustained success. But today in the Cutting Edge we will look at the rapid growth of QR Codes. Are you using them? If so, are you getting the most out of your QR Code use?

QR is short for Quick Response. Here is an example of a QR Code.

You download a free ap through your provider's ap store onto your smartphone or camera equipped tablet to access a QR Code.

Along with the explosion of smartphone use, so has the use of QR Codes in marketing.

ComScore reports:

"129.4 million people in the U.S. owned smartphones (55 percent mobile market penetration) during the three months ending in January, up 7 percent since October."

According to ScanLife:

"In 2012 research by Accenture on the effectiveness of consumer engagement triggers concluded that among 1,000 television viewers, 28% had interacted with a QR Code, vs. 18% with a Twitter hashtag. Similarly, during the 2012 London Olympics, we found that the proportion of individuals interacting with QR Codes was 36% higher than with Foursquare. Last but not least, our own research shows that the average engagement post scan to click was 62%.

Like social media in the early days, marketers who learn to harness the power of mobile engagement will have a significant head start in the market place -whether it’s QR Codes today, or combined with NFC or augmented reality tomorrow."

Using QR Codes to Save and Make Money

While brochures may not go out of style right away, QR Codes have the ability to turn a business card sized document into a robust multi-media platform. Those seeking to save money on handouts could consider using a small document with a QR Code on it instead. We've seen a company that did this at the Tunica Show. Our MHMSM.com team has done this since the 2012 Louisville Show. Here is my card's front cover for 2013.

QR Codes appeal to the young, which our industry can't afford to ignore.

QR Codes also appeals to the upscale 50+ shopper. As smartphone totals and camera-equipped tablets continues to rise rapidly, the size of the QR market will steadily expand too.

Here are some charts and graphs from eMarketer and ComScore that underscore the size, breakdown and growth of this market.

Don't forget that Backside!

As a footnote, the next time you do a business card, consider using both sides of your card! Why let that back side real estate go to waste? The back side is also another great place to place a QR Code.

Here is the reverse side of my business card, as another example.

If you aren't using QR Codes, start! If you are using them, consider how you can expand their use. Those who do should profit more because they did. ##

PS: Check our many Exclusive and Red Hot Featured Articles for March and see the

other new stories at MHLivingNews.com too.

L. A. "Tony" Kovach