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Why Use QR Codes? A Destination Marketer’s Dream

In seemingly every content marketing presentation I do, someone asks about QR Codes and why to use them.

The Content Marketing Institute has some great resources for QR code implementation, including:

Orange QR Code Example

Specifically for destinations, there are some great ideas where you can use QR codes to extend your customer’s specific experience.  Here are three.  What can you think of?

IDEA: Tell the Story

Have you ever done a walking tour at a museum where they handed you a listening device for your self-guided tour?  Sometimes that is just not possible if you are Yosemite National Park.

What do all your visitors have on them at all times?  Yes, a smartphone.

For particular parts of the park, small signage with a QR code can take visitors to a video, blog post or additional experience that details what happened at that particular portion of the park. It’s like a walking History Channel tour.

Just think if you were at the Battle of Gettysburg.  You could have QR codes that take visitors to in-depth videos or interviews or more.

IDEA: End of the Email Signup Form

You’ve seen it a hundred times, right?  An email signup form at an event or store location.  Problem for merchants is that someone then has to take that information and put that into the database.  Have you ever tried to make out someone else’s handwriting on those forms?

Instead, have them scan the QR code which takes them to a form and a special offer. Done and done.

IDEA: Bringing Print Alive

USA Today and the Wall Street Journal do this all the time…a story in print is made of words and images.  But what if there are more pictures and some compelling video?  Just place the QR code within the copy of the story and take them to the specialized content.

Here’s the point: the best reason for using QR code is to extend the content experience and engagement with your brand.  How can you leverage them for your business?

Need more?  Below is a full presentation with more ideas specifically for DMOs and CVBs.

Content Marketing for Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs)

View more presentations from Joe Pulizzi

 

Joe Pulizzi

Joe Pulizzi

Joe Pulizzi is the bestselling author of seven content marketing books including his latest, Content Inc. He has founded four companies, including the Content Marketing Institute (CMI), and his newest venture, The Tilt. His podcast series, This Old Marketing with Robert Rose, has generated millions of downloads from over 150 countries. He is also the author of The Random Newsletter, delivered to thousands every two weeks. His Foundation, The Orange Effect, delivers speech therapy and technology services to children in 35 states. Follow him on Twitter @JoePulizzi.