bakingbuyer - October 2011 - (Page 80)

ref· er· ences (ref-er-uhns) n., v. Catching Customers With QR codes Drawing your customers to your product and brand is essential to driving sales. The more accessible you market your product and information to customers, the more likely they are to pursue it. Online marketing strategies can make product information and customer interaction convenient and engaging for the social media-focused individual. In the past year or so, bar scan readers on smart phones like the Android and the iPhone have become an integral part of advertising products to consumers. The barcodes are popularly known as quick response codes (QR codes). Even if you are unfamiliar with the purpose of QR codes, you have probably noticed them flooding the pages of magazines and posters. By simply downloading one of many barcode scanner applications designed for smart phones, users are able to scan the bar codes to access online information regarding the product or business. The smart phone application has become popular amongst consumers as a tool for comparing product pricing and nutritional content in grocery stores; however, it is a practical medium for relaying information for most consumer-based industries. Not only can the application provide users with insightful product information, but can also direct them to practically any online location. Placing barcodes on your printadvertising is a quick way to draw traffic to your bakery’s website, Facebook page, or Twitter account. According to Facebook, more than 250 million active users access their Facebook accounts through mobile devices. With that in mind, many of 80 · BAKING BUYER · OCTOBER 11 R your customers are learning about your business through handheld multi-media. Ideally, you should market your brand so that it seamlessly communicates through these mediums. First, you will need to visit a QR code site that allows your business to generate a personal barcode. You are able to direct your customers to your desired online destination by simply providing its URL to a QR code generator. Once you have your barcode, simply place it in practical locations, such as your store, newsletters and advertisements for you business. Many of these codes are easily identifiable by consumers, considering they are typically box-shaped. The process is simple, fast and affordable. Scan this QR code with your smart phone to visit our Facebook page. Don’t forget to “Like” us. Also, you can be more creative than just providing links to your store’s website or Facebook page. Directing customers to fun and engaging content regarding your bakery is to your advantage. For example, film a short video highlighting the creation of one of your products and post the step-by-step clip on Youtube. Then provide a QR code next to the finished product in the store that directs customers to the online clip. More than anything, you want your bakery to be a fun and memorable experience for customers. Displaying your brand and product information to the consumer in the most effortless manner makes shopping at your store less of a hassle and more of an enjoyable experience. TIMMY TRABON

bakingbuyer - October 2011

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