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Marketing with QR Codes - Pros, Cons, and ideas....

By Lee & Pamela St. Peter

Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices YSU Realty: (919) 645-2522

June 25, 2011 12:14 AM

QR Codes - pros cons & ideas

I know that folks like Jeff Turner, whom I really respect, and others have discussed the merits of marketing with QR codes for some time now. I had first heard about them a few years back at one of our REBCRDU, however I wasn’t really too excited about them until I got my DROID X - it was then that they worked for me. You can read more on why that was DroidX - you betcha!

RealBird and QR codes

Then in October RealBird added these funny looking squares to all of our listings with QR Code support to the RealBird single property websites.

They even offered us a place to order QR code stickers to put on our signs. All our RealBird single property websites are optimized for mobile users which is so important because you don’t want your appearance to be the wrong size on what ever device someone is using! 12505 Boone Hall Ct

BUT, here's the catch ~ in the last 8 months or so I’ve not seen ANYONE anywhere in and or around the Raleigh Cary real estate market using them!

However that's not to say we aren't planning to start...

For now we’ve added them to our flyers (here's an example of an outside flyer ) but even the seller that we first proposed this too didn’t like it. They thought it took up too much room on their flyer... But after we went over the concept for them (again) they conceded.

Right now as for our listings; some of our REO’s don’t have a flyer box outside so I have this idea. What if on vacant or REO properties ~ I just Tape a brochure to the inside window (one with the QR code) and that way someone could scan the info and take it with them...

Let's move on... there are other ways to market ourselves with QR codes too... Here's one of those times when 'necessity is the mother of invention' ideas..

QR codes

I had just received a new order of cards from Prudential YSU, (I think the box had about 1,000 of them) just as I was learning about the QR Codes and I needed a way to get my contact QR code on them.

I know they are aren’t expensive to replace ~ BUT I just hate wasting things... So I came up with an idea of printing off labels with the QR code (now these are different than property codes as they have MY contact info on them and once scanned you can add me to your contacts, email me, call or text me!. So far so good... (just takes a minute or two to stick them to back of the card) QR Codes

Then that idea lead to another idea... we all go to conferences. And we’re always exchanging cards and lots of them... So instead when I’m sitting next to someone and they ask for my card I take out a label and stick it on the their notes.

That way they’ll remember WHERE we met, and it gives them a chance to take a note or too.

**And there's been other places where I can 'stick' an appropriate code or two.. :)

Hope you got some ideas and won't you please share how you're using QR codes? Be sure to subscribe too as I'll share more ideas as I come across them... I'm actually waiting on @respres ~ he's got an idea up his sleeve...

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Chanda Barrick

Keller Williams Indy Metro Northeast - Indianapolis, IN

in referral

I only just started hearing about them this year...A lot of people suggest putting them on your flyers...How are they generated? Do you need special software?

Jun 25, 2011 12:28 AM

Lee & Pamela St. Peter

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices YSU Realty: (919) 645-2522 - Raleigh, NC

Making Connections to Success in Real Estate

☂ Hi Chanda, there are software programs (Google QR generator) that you can use from your computer and then copy them to where ever you want to use them (I use Jing). They can be generated to follow a specific URL or even as I like to use on my cards, to generate my contact info!!
Pamela

Jun 25, 2011 12:34 AM

Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA

Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD

301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

Excellent post and all good ideas usingQR codes.. .thank you

Jun 25, 2011 12:40 AM

Lee & Pamela St. Peter

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices YSU Realty: (919) 645-2522 - Raleigh, NC

Making Connections to Success in Real Estate

☂ Thanks Fernando, QR codes have some interesting facets, it really is fun to see how everyone is incorporating them today and they wiggle their way into the RE market...
Pamela

Jun 25, 2011 12:54 AM

Al Raymondi

Ocean View Realty Group in Ormond By The Sea Florida - Ormond Beach, FL

Ormond By The Sea Florida - Home and Condo Sales

Good idea sticking the labels with QR codes on the back of your cards. Thanks.

Jun 25, 2011 12:56 AM

Trang Beuschlein

Homes for Sale in Campbell CA- Broker-BKR Realty - Campbell, CA

Campbell CA Real Estate - Campbell CA Homes for Sa

Pamela, I like the idea of using the QR code with your contact info. Where do you get that code and once someone scans it, does it automatically go into their contact list in the correct fields, etc.?

Jun 25, 2011 01:02 AM

Lee & Pamela St. Peter

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices YSU Realty: (919) 645-2522 - Raleigh, NC

Making Connections to Success in Real Estate

☂ Thanks Al, I really did get a huge box of new cards! I tried printing on the back but that failed, so out of necessity came up with the labels. Hope you enjoy your week-end!

Trang, it does if you create your QR code as a contact record ...
Pamela

Jun 25, 2011 01:02 AM

Alan Gross

PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company, Equal Housing Lender - Bethesda, MD

Loan Consultant

I like the idea of putting them in labels. Like a lot of technology they will take a while to catch on.

Jun 25, 2011 01:30 AM

Charles Hendricks

The Gaines Group, PLC Architecture and Design - Harrisonburg, VA

QR codes are interesting as it can link you to additional information and drive people to your website if used correctly. I wonder if they will catch on when all food products have them on their packaging staring in January. I certainly will want to know where all the 'local' food I buy is produced.

Jun 25, 2011 02:08 AM

Craig Daniels

Tech Training for You! - Staten Island, NY

Technology Instructor/Project Consultant

Pamela - we are on the same wavelengths (always, right?) - the webinar I hosted yesterday we spent half the hour on QR codes. One of my main takeaways from class was that you NEED to land on a mobile optimized page. Real Bird was my example of a good example. If you need to zoom-zoom-zoom on a landing page, it is time to rethink it as a QR code destination. Real Bird does it right, large enough text to read. Plus the three tab buttons across the top to go to different topics. Photos tab is a simple presentation and works well on a phone. One of the other takeaways from my class was to put the short URL under the code for those who don't yet have a scanner on their phone or don't want to learn how to use one. bit.ly is great for short urls because you can cusomize your own URL (as long as it is unique it will be accepted) - bit.ly also does tracking so you can see your results and it also generates the QR code graphic for you. Can you see we had a great time in class yesterday! (we also talked about google analytics on our websites and AR outside blogs) - thanks for this post, it is another great example of QR codes for me to point to! PS - one more takeaway from class, always caption your codes so a person knows what they will get when they scan it. e.g. the QR in your blog sidebar I did not know for sure it was your contact info, but I had a pretty good guess since it is in the more complex form than a simple URL code... LOL sorry to blab on, but I love the topic :)

Jun 25, 2011 03:05 AM

Robert Bob Gilbert

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX

Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Pamela and lee,

Where do I go to get a QR code with my contact information? I am totally unsure as to how popular these QR codes will become. I need a new cell as my wife and I have I-phones from AT&T. Do you folks recommend the droidX?

thanks..BG

Jun 25, 2011 05:22 AM

Don MacLean

New England Real Estate Center Inc. - Easton, MA

Realtor-Homes for Sale- Easton, Mass 02356

I was telling someone yesterday need to check and see if the one I have even works,

And here you are with all these great idea's on where to use it. I need to get going lol

Enjoy the day

Jun 25, 2011 10:19 AM

Jerry Newman

Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX

Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Pamela and Lee, This some great information about QR codes, and I am glad I saw Craig Daniels comments above about leaving a short name for the QR code, so they know what they are scanning.

Excellent Post!!! Suggested.

Jun 26, 2011 03:30 AM

Donna Malone

Waterfront, Luxury, Family, Affordable, Cottage, Deals - Bridgewater, NS

Homes and Property for Sale Nova Scotia

Pamela and Lee OR codes are becoming more widely used in many industries. Good ideas on using them.

Jun 26, 2011 07:46 AM

Lee & Carol Barbour, REALTORS

Murphy and Hayesville, NC; Hiawassee, Blairsville, Blue Ridge GA - Murphy, NC

Mountain Living Team in Murphy NC and North GA

Even in Murphy, NC they are showing up all over and we're certainly taking advantage of using them to get more information and photos out to potential buyers on our listings. Love the idea of printing off the stickers for our business cards!

Jun 26, 2011 09:14 AM

Debe Maxwell, CRS

Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC

The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hey Pam! I just submitted my QR code entry and saw yours just above me! I feel the same way about them and have found that SO many sites are not properly optimized for smartphone use--therefore leaving the reader frustrated from having to scroll so much. I don't think it will be long before the phones will automatically do that for their users though--at least that's what I'm hoping will happen! GREAT entry and best of luck! SOMEONE from NC just has to win this one! LOL

Jun 27, 2011 01:51 PM

Charita Cadenhead

eXp Realty - Birmingham, AL

Serving Jefferson and Shelby Counties (Alabama)

These are all wonderful ideas. Some I have used and now I have more to try. Click!

Jun 28, 2011 07:56 AM