Marketing BEEP

Quick Response Codes 101: Applications in Print Marketing

Previously we covered the best theoretical uses of Quick Response codes, now let’s get into how we can use these theories and put them into practice. Let’s see how we can use QR codes in print marketing – specifically how they can work on some of the most common print material used for promotional and marketing purposes.


“BBC” worked into a QR code.

Business Cards

You can make or break important business deals even and especially in the very first impressions. And the foremost tool when it comes to making favorable first impressions is the iconic business card. You can go for capturing creativity and sending bold messages through die-cut cards or unconventional ones, or you can simply add an interactive element like a QR code.



A creative QR code above and a small, usual one to the lower left side of this business card makes it advanced, creative, and curious.

QR codes can automatically save your vCard details to your client’s smart phone or lead them to an About Us or Contact Us webpage of your business site. You can adjust the information the QR code transmits depending on the design of your business card too.

Quick Response Codes 101: A New Marketing Technology

A relatively new, engaging, and effective marketing tool is becoming increasingly popular today: QR codes. Quick Response codes are barcode-like, square, 2D patterns typically similar in scale to commonplace barcodes. Of course, the information they deliver is not so threadbare.


A typical QR code looks like this.

What’s In a QR Code?

Where normal barcodes have encoded pricing data (numeric), QR codes can harbor many other forms of information. What’s promising about this technology is how they are used today.


QR codes are read through smart phone cameras and decoded by QR code reader applications.

QR codes originate from Japan, where car manufacturing giant Toyota introduced them years before to identify (and present data of) their new cars. The Western hemisphere has only recently caught wind of the many varied uses of the barcode level-up. Today, QR codes are typically scanned via smart phones and a specialized QR code reader application decodes the information in them. It’s soon to become a common occurrence for someone to whip up their smart phone and scan a QR code on a product flyer with their camera, then they are automatically routed to a website where they can access more information about the product.

Should Freelancers Carry Business Cards?

Let’s say that you are a fairly successful freelancer. You have a good customer base and some word of mouth advertising. So, is it necessary for you to have business cards? After all, it is an expense and it takes time away from your work. Most experts say that it is extremely necessary; here’s why.

 

Cheap and Easy

If you haven’t checked into the process of business card design and printing, I think you are in for a pleasant surprise. There are many very helpful business card tutorials and some easy to use templates. In addition to being simple to design, business cards can be very inexpensive to print, especially when you order online. When you get your cards printed from an online business card printing company like Printplace.com, the process of ordering is painless and the cost for 500 double-sided business cards is only $23. Plus, you can have your printed cards in your hands in as little as one day.

 

Avoids Embarrassment

If you talk to anyone at all about your work, then you are bound to come across someone who will ask for your business card. If you don’t have one to give, you will appear very unprofessional. True, you could jot down your info on a scrap of paper, but your prospect will probably throw that scrap away either on purpose (because you seem unprofessional) or on accident. When you have a business card ready to give away, you look like a serious professional whom anyone would want to work with.

 

 

Legitimizes Your Work

Most people are skeptical about random strangers who say they can freelance for them. No matter what your profession, you have to give strangers a reason to trust your ability. Referrals are one way, but they can be random at best. If you have a business card to accompany a personal introduction, your audience is more likely to think of you as a real professional rather than some scam artist out to take their money.

 

Makes Work Easier

One of the greatest advantages of a business card is the consistent transfer of information. Your website address or phone number may not always be legible in your handwriting. However, your business card will contain all of those bits of information on it in a legible and concise manner. You can also use your business card to share your Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking sites. The more your potential customer can learn about you, the better the chance they will investigate and eventually choose you for the job.

 

As a freelancer, your desire should be to gain good customers and create a strong personal brand. One of the best ways to help you accomplish both of these goals is to hand out a business card. Business cards let others know that you are a serious professional that they can trust.

 

Tips for Choosing the Best Affiliate Program for Your Blogging Needs

Perhaps you have a blog and now you are ready to make some money with it. Or you have been trying to make money with your blog for months and nothing seems to be happening. Try these tips for choosing affiliates. The right affiliates will make all the difference in the amount of income a blog can produce.

Choose affiliates relevant to your blog topic.

Ads that pertain to your area of business are the best ones for your blog. Your readers will be interested and the ads will get the best results. For instance, if you are blogging about brochures, you might have affiliates that print brochures or design brochures.

 

Be wise about the payments you will receive.

Before you sign up for any affiliate, find out what their payout minimums are. Don’t take the price they give you as a solid price. Most times the payments are based on a minimum click-through rate. Look for commissions above 20% for a general rule.

 

Don’t sell what you don’t trust.

Remember that the affiliates on your site are in a sense being recommended by you. If you do not trust a product or the company it comes from, do not put it on your site.

 

Find trusted but unique products.

If your site is advertising for the same affiliates as every other blog in your niche, then you are not as likely to have success with it. Try to find new or slightly out of the ordinary products to promote. Just keep in mind the tips above when selecting questionable products.

 

Keep your target audience in mind.

The price of your product should relate to the price range of your target audience. Most people will look at something that costs $10-$500 dollars. Keep the monetary value of the products in mind when you choose affiliates.

 

Find an affiliate with great customer service.

You should be able to reach your affiliates easily. A good affiliate will give you a phone number and an email address at least. Good customer support will make a huge difference in the quality of your affiliate relationship.

 

Trying new affiliates can get risky, but always going with the tried and true affiliates can be boring. Try to incorporate a mix onto your blog. If you find that one doesn’t work, try out another. Eventually you will be sure to find the right affiliates to start making money with your blog.

A New Way to Look at Sales

In the time of telemarketing, before the 1-800-stop-calling-me-number kicked in, I was a telemarketer. My job was to close as many sales as possible in six hours a day, to make every call a sale. The trouble with goal-oriented sales is that it is very depressing, at least it was for me. Cold calls seem to always result in more "No's" than "Yes's." If my success was defined by whether or not a customer said yes, then I quickly became a failure.

Tips for Distributing Booklets

Completing booklet printing is only half the battle in a print marketing campaign; you have to get the booklets into clients’ and prospects’ hands so they can complete their purpose. Here are some ideas for distributing booklets to those most likely to read them.

Display Your Crafts with Promotional Calendars

Calendars work year round to promote your business, meaning they really give the most advertising for your money. Not only do the recipients see the calendar but also any guests they have in their homes or places of business will see your calendars too. To spark an interest in your business through calendar printing, make it as attractive as possible. Use it to showcase your work in an intriguing way.

Promotional Calendar Tips for the Amateur Designer

The appeal of promotional calendars is irresistible. With promotional calendars, you are creating a functional, year round advertising tool. Customers love them and you benefit greatly from them. If you have never before designed a print calendar, though, it may seem like a difficult task. The truth is that you can create your own promotional calendar and you can do it well. Here are a few tips for designing a professional looking calendar with ease.

Ideas for Generating New Customers

It is a lot easier to keep your current customers than to draw in new ones, but every business has to generate new customers at one point or another. If your business is needing to expand your customer base, here are some ideas for making your business irresistible.

Offer Something New
Brainstorm about what you are not offering that would make your customer's lives easier. Think about related services that you could combine to make your business a one-stop shop. Then offer packages of services or products at a lower price than each would cost individually. Make sure you advertise these new packages all over the place, and you will probably steal plenty of clients from your competition.

Market to Prospects with a Great Introductory Offer
To get new people to take a chance on you, make them an offer they cannot refuse. Offer your services or products at a greatly reduced price for the first X weeks. Then give customers a guarantee that if they are not satisfied, they can get a refund. Tell people about this offer through telemarketing, when you hand out business cards, and on your website.

Use Testimonials from Loyal Customers
Ask your loyal customers to write out testimonials of how your business has helped them in the past. Include the customer's name and occupation along with the testimonial so people know it came from a real person. Put these testimonials on your print brochures, business cards, and posters to make your business look more credible and attract new customers.

Sell Static Inventory Online
If you have stuff just sitting in store rooms, get it to generate cash by selling it in online auctions. With a world-wide pool of people, there is bound to be someone who can use your unwanted items.

Attend Trade Shows Armed with Materials
Go to every kind of trade show, business expo, job fair, and community event you can find. Prepare ahead of time by printing business cards and brochures to take with you. Practice what you want to tell people about your business. Be sure to include information about how your company benefits people because people are only looking to do business with those who can improve their lives.

6 Marketing Materials Every Small Business Needs for Start Up

Before you launch your small business, you should have several marketing materials ready to go. If you generate interest in your company before it even opens, you will have a strong beginning to build on. If you are already doing business, you should get these materials as soon as possible to help your business thrive.