Aglow Marketing's Blog

QR Codes: Fab or Fad?

Marketing trends come and go (some more quickly then others) so it'll be very interesting to see the fate of the uber trendy QR (Quick Response) codes. 

Are QR codes here to stay and more importantly to marketers, when does it make sense to use them?

First, start by considering your audience. Are they aware of how QR codes work? Do they have the technology accessible to utilize them? A recent survey on QR Awareness showed that nearly 20% of teens didn't even know what these images were. In fact, only 33% were able to identify the image as a QR code, with only 19% having the right software to read the QR codes.  Having said that, 74% who had used a QR code thought it was worth their time.  Moral of the story - start by considering your audience and their willingness and ability to accept this marketing tactic.

Next, consider what is your goal? Sounds simple enough, but as we markters know sometimes the novelty of a given tactic can be enough to sway decision makers to want to use them.  Are you trying to increase sales of a certain product? Raise awareness of a service you provide? Entice customers to view you as a thought leader?  Start with the goal and then ask yourself if a QR code can help you achieve it.

Here's a few effective ways we see QR codes being used, and a few thoughts on when not to use one.

Fab

• Coupons & Discounts - QR code research shows that consumers will take the time to scan a QR code if they get something out of the deal.  It's also a green marketing technique that some audiences will really appreciate.

• Contact Information - A brilliant use of the QR code is to provide instant down-loadable access to your business contact information/VCard via a QR code conveniently located on your business card.  Time savings for your contacts means a innovative brand image for you and your company.

• Events - Did you know you can create a QR Code for an event which creates a calendar instance when scanned?  This is an effective use of QR codes for those putting on workshops, seminars and other events who want to offer a quick and easy way for potential attendees to plan to attend.

• Captive Audiences - Think about using QR codes in locations where your audience isn't going anywhere anytime soon.  Table top displays at restaurants or events, point of purchase displays, waiting rooms, airports, etc. 

• Customized Content - At trade shows, consider a hand out with a QR code that directs your audience back to a unique landing page with an article or white paper about the trade show topic. The key here is customization - with the ease of creating QR codes at will, one size does not have to fit all.

Fad

• Primary Web Site Promotion - Creating a QR code to simply link back to your main web site is likely not the best use of this technology.  While it may seem novel at first, your not providing any extra value. However, QR codes can be effective when directing someone to a landing page with customized content on a given topic. This can be as simple as directing someone to an interior page of your web site, or as elaborate as sending them to a micro site. 

So how do you get a QR code? There's a few reputable & free services out there, but we personally love QRStuff.com, which even allows you to make your QR Code pretty! Choose the color to match your brand, vs. the boring black you see nearly everywhere. Another way to breakt thru the marketing clutter!

At the end of the day, QR codes are just one more tool at your acccess when creating your marketing plan and strategies.  If you're interested in learning more about our marketing strategy service, simply scan the QR code above ;-)

Do Good For Indiana unveils its first project: Seeds of Hope Annual Report

Last October Aglow and Creative Roots teamed up and dreamed up the Do Good For Indiana program, where we would help smaller non-profits better define their strategies and messaging both visually and in written format.

Our first project was to help Seeds of Hope set the tone for 2011 with their year end 2010 Annual Report.  We began by Aglow taking updated headshots of Father Glenn and Executive Director, Marvetta Grimes.  We also took a new picture of the Seeds of Hope home.  Having clear, bright pictures really make a difference. 

Then Creative Roots established a color palette of green, orange and blue to complement the Seeds of Hope logo and new website.  These colors will also be carried through in all upcoming materials.  Their ability to both create a presence with color coupled with organizing dense content into a visually appeallng end result has been nothing short of miraculous.  (Coming soon are the 2011 Annual Campaign, business card, letterhead and brochure!)

Aglow was also proud to create new messaging alongside the Seeds of Hope logo. Across the top it now reads, "A Women's Drug & Alcohol Recovery Program".  Across the bottom the new tagline reads, "Where a life of addiction ends and a life of hope begins."

 

We are so honored to be trusted to help Seeds of Hope "find their voice" and to work alongside the passionate staff and volunteers that have brought this program to life over the past 11 years.  To learn more about the Do Good For Indiana program, visit our website at www.DoGoodForIndiana.com

 

Marketing That Moves Us: I Was Born Green

Lily and I were chatting today about a new blog series entitled "What Marketing Moves Us" - because even though we are marketers, we're also consumers and buyers of goods and services. In fact, I'll be the first to admit I'm any great markete'rs dream.  I will buy new products, shop at new stores, and eat at new restuatuants based upon marketing alone.   So...the idea is that we'll be doing a regular post on marketing that moves us, makes us want to buy, and pass that insight along to you.  Our hope is that we can learn a little something from these examples that can be applied right away.  

THE CONCEPT:    A simple sticker on a Chiquita bannana that proudly states "I was born green."

WHAT GOT ME:   Such a clever play on words, especially with Green Marketing & Green Iniativies being one of the hottest  topics right now. (Interested in learning more about Green Marketing? -Join Indy AMA for a special luncheon focused on this very topic this April.)

WHY I THINK IT WORKS:    It's smart, it's  humourous -- plus it's worth passing along to a friend in conversation.  Also, when checking out Chiquita's web site I noted that they actually have an section dedicated to Being Green - so it's more than just a fun slogan, it actually is part of their culture and value system.

WHAT WE CAN LEARN:     When you are thinking of how you position your product or business, don't think quite so literally.  Expand your mindset. Think about how can you position yourself that evokes a sense of humor in a clever, thought provoking way that makes people think, remember you...and smile.

Making Time for Marketing: How To Make Sure Your Marketing Isn't an Afterthought

Is it just me, or has the beginning of this year gone by in a flash?  Between snow days and sick days, it's been difficult to get into a solid work groove.  As a result, the Aglow Marketing team has been keeping up with our clients' needs but (as is the case for many small business owners) not carving out time to work on our own marketing.  It's the same old "the cobbler's children have no shoes" conudrum. 

Many of our potential clients face the exact same issue - they know they should make time for marketing, they believe in the value of marketing, but as duty calls they simply don't make time for it.  As a result, their efforts become reactive or - worse yet - non-existent.  So how do we make sure that marketing isn't an afterthought and that it becomes a part of our daily activities?  Here's a few quick steps to get going:

1. Get A Plan -  It's difficult to make marketing a priority when you don't know what you are supposed to be doing.  Sounds like common sense, but so many people wish to bypass this important step and jump straight into tactics without an integrated plan.  Think through what you are trying to accomplish, who you are hoping to reach, what will move them to act, and how you will measure success.  Take the time to formulate a solid marketing plan rich with well-thought-out strategies to reach your goals - you will never regret it.  
2. Timelines & Calendars - Move your marketing plan into action by plotting out your tactics on a calendar.  Assign due dates and reminders - whatever it takes to engrain marketing your business into your daily life.
3. Be Accountable - By meeting with your marketing team on regular basis and reporting back on your progress, you will ensure your marketing activities are getting done.  Don't forget to track your success through analytics or whatever other metrics you have established in your marketing plan.

Lily and I recently spent a half-day working through our own marketing plan, and although it's not yet complete we are making sure we practice what we preach in 2011.  Stay tuned for some fantastic marketing efforts for Aglow yet this year.

Are you suffering from "Check In" addiction? And is mine going to get worse?

As I awoke dreary eyed at 2:30 am to stand (or sit, actually) in virtual line to pre-order the Verizon IPhone at 3 am (I actually ordered at 2:45 am so camping out early did pay off), I was killing time and caught up on some articles from http://the99percent.com/ where as they say, "It's not about ideas. It's about making ideas happen."

Their article on How to Control Your "Check In" Addiction was timely as I move away from the already aptly named Crackberry/Blackberry to Wonderful World of Apps IPhone.  Will my need to "check in" be worse than ever?  I'm already trying to be better at disconnecting myself both mentally and physically from my hell phone.  Now will all the shiny newness and more information to absorb will I have taken 1 step forward and 12 steps back?  Only time will tell I suppose.

If you're in the same boat and want to get more in tune to why we feel the need to "check in" so much, check out the How to Control Your "Check In" Addiction article.  (Yes, you can read it from your phone if you must.)  Here's the intro, which definitely make my face turn red as I felt completely called out on my "Check In" addiction.

"Have you ever been caught sleeping with your mobile device? Perhaps checking your email first-thing in the morning when you’re still in bed? Given what we know about the emotional voids that are fulfilled by our electronic devices - the search for thrill, the alleviation of anxiety and panic - our intense attachment makes sense. When we wake up we want to be greeted. When we fall asleep we want to do so knowing that all is well. The mobile phone has become the security blanket of the 21st century."  Read the full How to Control Your "Check In" Addiction article here.