QR Codes Decoded

Have you ever wondered about those odd looking square bar codes that are everywhere?  Quick Response (QR) Codes have become popular thanks to smart phones.  Applications that you can download (usually for free) can translate these boxy cryptograms by snapping a picture, retrieving from a website, or utilizing a saved image. 

What Information is in a QR Code?

QR Codes can reveal a static or dynamic URL, written information, contact details (A.K.A. vCard), send SMS (Text) messages, obtain an address, initiate a phone call, or open a pre-addressed email.   QR Codes for marketing are typically found on an advertisement, mobile website, business card, handout, direct mailing, menus, and any other media you might access while on-the-go. 

Apps for Your Smart Phone, Tablet PC, Laptop, or Desktop.

• Barcodes Scanner is a free App that will allow you to scan these tags you now see almost everywhere! It does not only tell you what's behind the code you just scanned, but it will trigger the appropriate action, like opening a URL, creating a contact, making a phone call, writing an SMS.
• Google Goggles is a fantastic (free) App that does quite a bit more than just translate QR Codes.  It uses image recognition technology to recognize objects and return relevant search results. It can identify products, famous landmarks, storefronts, artwork, and popular images found online. Goggles can translate words in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian. Google Goggles can also extract contact information from business cards and add them directly to your contacts.
• ZXing Decoder Online allows you to paste a URL or upload a saved image to extract the QR Code information while on your regular computer.  This isn’t nearly as convenient as the mobile apps, but allows you to extract the information. 

What’s in a QR Codes?

A QR Code is made up of small squares.  Each square is called a module.  There are specific module sets that will always be on a QR Code. 

• Position squares: There will always be 3 position module sets in the corners.  These squares are used to align the image within the QR Code Reader. 
• Alignment square: There will be at 1 alignment module near the lower right corner of the QR Code.  This is the secondary alignment feature and works in relation to the Position squares. 
• Timing modules: These connect the Position modules allow the reader to measure the total size of a QR Code.  Timing modules also assures that the Reader can see the whole image since the number of timing squares should be the same in both directions. 
• Version Information:  There are forty different versions of QR Codes.  The version is directly tied to the number of modules, which ranges from 21x21 to 177x177 modules.   As you add modules and increase the size the amount of data you can store increases.
• Format Information: This information tells the reader what type of information is contained within the QR Code.  For example, if the information is a URL and should be opened within a browser or is contact details and should be imported to your contacts.
• Data & Error Correction: The data is the unique information within the QR Code.  The error correction determines how many of the modules in the data portion of the QR Code are used to confirm that the information is accurate.  If you have a QR Code with a high level of error correction it will be easier to read.  Error correction does limit the amount of information that can be stored, as some of the modules are being used for backup.
• Quiet Space: This space is necessary for the reader to be able to deduce what is QR Code information and what is extraneous information.  

5 Reasons Why Social Media is for You

Social media is the buzzword of the year in business, but understanding how it can help you business falls into that fuzzy gray area that can make you ask, “Is it a fad or a good investment?”  When you cut to the chase, there are 5 key reasons that a well developed social media strategy would be a wise venture. 

1.  It’s Free!  Can you name one other marketing strategy that will not cost anything (other than time) and reach millions of future clients?  There are innumerable options, should you want to put money into marketing, but no guarantee of a positive ROI.  Additionally, utilizing an established social media site as your launching point is a great start if you do choose to make a financial investment.  Example: Example No. 1: Melrose Jewelers’ director of marketing, Kyle Mitnick, said that since Melrose introduced its Facebook page, blog and YouTube channel last fall, the company has seen a 71-percent increase in year-over-year sales.  “Facebook is a great forum for really conveying the trust of our business and helps us level the playing field in reaching younger, aspiring individuals who are technologically savvy,” said Mr. Mitnick.  “With this group, our social presence — reviews by other Facebook users, posts and interaction with our fans — builds credibility.” (http://goo.gl/P8qIB; The New York Times, 7-11-11)
2. References Round-Up.  You’re doing amazing work, and your customers are 100% pleased.  How can you let your next client know just how amazing you are?  Small businesses sustain themselves on word-of-mouth referrals, typically accounting for 50% of their profits.  Social media is the forum where customers and clients can “like” your work, review your services, and even address concerns.  By being proactive, responding to customers, and letting people post honest reviews you build credibility.  Added value; if you host the social media, and someone would post something completely awry, you can always take things down, or limit the postings.  I’m not an advocate of only non-negative reviews, but you don’t need to showcase slander.
3. Sneak a Peek.  If you’re not in the arena, you can’t see the competition’s game.  By actively participating in social media, you can see what others in your field are doing in the same realm.  I’m not advising you to become a copycat, but when someone has a successful strategy, you can see what worked well, and when they have a blunder, you know what to avoid.   Major corporations invest a lot of money in major campaigns and management of their outlets.  Check them out and see what you like.  It’ll take some of the creative pressure off your shoulders.  Be cautious though, once you launch a social media page, you need to keep up with it, so be ready to hit the ground running.
4. Team Networking.  If you focus on a specific region or within a defined market, there is power in numbers.  Social media allows you to network and team up with others in your field that operate in other locations, or business that target the same market yet offer different services.  Working together can help you both succeed.  Instead of having 5 sites with 200 fans each, one site with 1,000 fans will make a greater impact, and establish your reputation.  It’s also easier to supply one update a week for the sites rather than one a day.  By delegating the needs of sustenance within the landscape of digital marketing you empower your brand, build a reputation as a team player, and reach more people.  Sounds like a win all around.
5. Real-Time Updates for Your Portfolio.  Make social media work for you.  You can set up reports, tracking, trends, and polls to compile from your social media efforts.  This can be powerful information that you can showcase in presentations and proposals for potential clients.  Why learn new software when you can utilize what you've already mastered?  Social media also allows you to showcase public presentations and other media you've previously invested in.  Sites like Slideshare allow you to post presentations or documents on-line for others to browse.  However, I wouldn't post your key slides on-line.  Remember your competition could view these too (see reason #3). 

Additional info:  Did you know that the USA government is active in social media?  Although there are plenty of topics that need tackled in DC, social media is one issue that’s not being debated.  Check out the The White House, President, Department of State, and Congress.  

The Future is at Your Fingertips

The digital landscape is moving at the speed of light.  Below are some of the hottest topics  I've stumbled upon:

Apple's iPhone 5:
Although still only a rumor, the iPhone 5 is one of the most anticipated pieces of technology of the decade.  (I'm on the waiting list myself.)  A PriceGrabber report released in July indicated that 35% of consumers intend to purchase the technology once Apple debuts the phone.  Yes, 35% of all consumers.  (Click here to read the full press release.) That means we need to be ready for this technology as soon as details are released.   My best suggestion for keeping up to date on this technology is to follow the iPhone5 News Blog.  Current predictions are a September 7, 2011 release, but that has yet to be confirmed by Apple, Inc. 


Google+:
Announced today, Google+, Google's solution for social media, has reached 25 million views in 26 days, and has over 20 million users.  Considering Google+ is still in true beta invite-only testing, this number is astounding!  This doesn't mean it's time to jump ship on the Facebook bandwagon, it just means there's another powerful contender in the social media landscape that is vying for your 81 minutes of App time or 74 minutes of browser time daily. (Source: Flurry, Inc.)

MicroPointing:

MicroPointing’s miniature pointing and digital control device has greater capabilities than the touch pad, while requiring only a tiny fraction of the space – approximately 1 sq. mm. This electronic tracking device can also be used as a switch or control, enabling mobile product producers to replace larger buttons and mechanical switches. Micropointing has no moving parts, is incredibly durable, and can be placed on any part of the device, including the back or sides.  Visit Micropointing.com for more information.  

Contact Digital Era Marketing Innovations, Inc. at DEMIinc.com to see how we can make sure you're ready for the future.