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My 10 Seconds of Fame on NBC News - Using QR Codes in Real Estate!

By
Real Estate Agent with Helen Adams Realty 259636

My 10 Seconds of Fame on NBC News - Using QR Codes in Real Estate MarketingMelissa Brown's NBC News interview

What a day I had yesterday!  My broker-in-charge, Laurie Knudsen, is the current president of the Charlotte Regional Realtors Association.  She was contacted by NBC News, who was looking to interview a Charlotte Realtor who uses QR codes in his/her marketing.  I jumped on it - the only catch was, they wanted to interview me that afternoon!

Butterflies began roiling in my stomach, but I drove out to NBC Universal, and producer Mike Fomil immediately put me at ease.  He explained that NBC was doing a story on QR codes and how they help consumers gain information - in stores, on signage, and in REAL ESTATE!

So I brought in all my party favors - flyers, post cards, business cards, etc., all with my QR codes that re-direct Charlotte home buyers and sellers to my website, to a virtual tour, or to my blog.  After a nice tour of the facility, Mike took me outside, "miked me up," and directed his intern to start taping.  Although my hands were sweating and my voice was probably shaking, Mike just talked to me while the intern was filming - he made it easy!

Anyway, I talked for about 10 minutes about how I use QR codes in my real estate marketing, and how this new technology has boosted home buyer visits to my website and helped me get listings - because I am providing what today's home buyer wants - instant access to information.  I love that QR codes are easy to produce and they are FREE - AND they help cut down on the use of paper!

Getting QR codes for your real estate marketing is EASY!  First you need to download a QR code generator.  I use a program by Kaywa.  You just paste the URL code from your website, blog, or YouTube video into a box, and the program creates an instant QR code for you.  Save the image of the code to your computer as a JPG, and place it right on your flyers, postcards, business cards, yard signs - WHATEVER!

To "read" the QR codes, you need a smart phone.  Next, you must download a QR code reader app - I've tried a LOT of them, and my favorite, by far, is i-nigma, (many thanks to Craig Daniels' of Craig's Classroom fame on AR!).  i-nigma is the fastest, easiest code reader I've tried - downloand the app today - it's FREE!

My NBC day of fame was exciting and fun - and the segment aired on over 100 NBC stations across the country.  My 10 minutes of tape was edited down to about 10 seconds, but it doesn't matter, it was surely a thrill!  All because this 53-year old gal is willing to embrace new technolgy to market my listings of homes for sale in Charlotte and to attract Charlotte buyers.

Try QR codes in your real estate marketing!  It's fast, easy and FREE!

Here's a link to the NBC QR Code story - don't blink or you might miss me!

http://www.kveo.com/news/qr-codes-info-anywhere

Comments (42)

Kim Brown
Keller Williams Realty - Keene, NH
Keene, NH - New England at its Best!

Congratulations, Melissa!  Not only good info for those agents who haven't started generating QR codes, but also motivation for consumers to start paying attention to them!  I've had iffy results with some scanning apps...I will try i-nigma next.

You did a wonderful job, and I'll bet it was a blast!

Aug 01, 2011 08:27 AM
John Davison
Coldwell Banker - Cary, NC
Raleigh-Cary-Triangle NC

Melissa,

I'm only three hours away from you and I haven't even seen these used here yet.  I wonder why?  Is there aplace to go for moreinfo on what they are, what they are used for, and how to create or get them?  Or is at as simple as described in paragraphs 4 and 5 of your post?  Thanks.

Aug 01, 2011 08:57 AM
Melissa Brown
Helen Adams Realty - Charlotte, NC
Realtor - South Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

Barbara, my "party favors' are always fun to share!  Definitely give the apps I mentioned a try!

Carolyn, I think you'll be surprised at how easy QR codes can be.  And you can incorporate them and forget them, unlike social media which you always need to update!

Betty and John, I bet you'd be surprised at how many people are using QR codes.  Now that you know about them, I bet you'll start to notice more in MO.  I don't get a direct message when someone scans my QR codes, but Tour Factory, my virtual tour vendor tells me how many hits I get.

Barry, I wouldn't even call QR codes a big project - it's just a simple thing to do that will take your print marketing so much farther.

Thanks Chris - put them on your business cards, and link them back to your mortgage application or website!

Mike, it was AWESOME!  And my son is majoring in communications, so I talked to the producer about a future internship for him too!

Virginia, thanks for the compliment!  I don't know if I can embed it in my website - great idea!

Carol, I haven't put the QR code on my signs yet, because it would have to be so big to read from the car or curb. Maybe I don't need to worry about that.  It's surprising how often you see them once you learn about them!

Kim, definitely try i-nigma.  I thought the other ones were duds!  Took too long to load.  i-nigma is the fastest I've tried.

John, I bet if you went to a Home Depot in Raleigh, you'd see them everywhere.  Buy a grill, and there's a QR code to take you to the Weber website.  It really is as simple as what I described.  Try it, and call me with any questions.

 

Aug 01, 2011 09:06 AM
Chalmette Ray
Keller Williams Preferred Commercial (281-798-3005) - Houston, TX
Real Estate Advisor-Multifamily,Retail,Office

Hey Melissa,

Congrats Congrats Congrats Congrats Congrats Congrat Congrats Congrats Congrats Congrats!  Those congrats are for your 10 seconds of fame you experienced and I wish you 10 times more in the future!  That is really cool, and I bet it was fun.  Again Congrats!

Chalmette Ray

 

 

Aug 01, 2011 09:20 AM
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Congratulation on being featured on the news.  You can not buy publicity like that. 

Aug 01, 2011 09:37 AM
Susan Gaieski
Water Pointe Realty Group - Jupiter, FL
Director for Social Media & Technology

Great Story.  Now you are a star.  Congrats.

Aug 01, 2011 09:38 AM
J. Philip Faranda
Howard Hanna Rand Realty - Yorktown Heights, NY
Associate Broker / Office Manager

Awesome! I hope you parlay and leverage the appearance to the betterment of your business. Very exciting stuff. 

Aug 01, 2011 12:34 PM
Barb Merrill
Cactus Mountain Properties, LLC - Tempe, AZ
GRI, Associate Broker

Congrats!  Great info.  I bookmarked your post so I can refer back to setting up my own QR code.

Aug 01, 2011 12:50 PM
Melissa Brown
Helen Adams Realty - Charlotte, NC
Realtor - South Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

Chalmette, THANK YOU x 10!  I really appreciate it, and I hope you'll let me know how you like using QR codes!

Richard, I don't know how much publicity I got, other than tooting my own horn here at AR!  My segment and my marketing materials only appeared so briefly.  But it was a blast anyway!

Susan, I'm not a star, just someone interested in staying somewhat current and relevant!

Erica - I actually may get a listing presentation out of it - I held an open house on Sunday, and one couple say my little candy bags with a business card with the home's info and a QR code on the back.  That was a nice segue into talking about the interview.  They said they were going to call me!

Phil - Yeah, it's been a conversation piece with a few clients and leads - if anything it's a reason to start talking about how I use QR codes in marketing their home for sale.

Definitely come back Barb!  You'll be glad when you're one of the trailblazers in your area using QR codes.  Go for it!

Aug 01, 2011 01:07 PM
Jean Singleton
Capital Realty Experts - Rexford, NY
Specializing in Your Special Needs
I love using my QR codes! I have them on my business card. I like being able to say - I have an app for that!
Aug 01, 2011 03:39 PM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Hey, you did great, Melissa.  That is quite a long interview by snippet standards.  

Aug 01, 2011 04:50 PM
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Hi Melissa - Congratulations on your 10 seconds of fame.  You still have 14 minutes and 50 seconds until your 15 minutes are up!!!

Aug 01, 2011 04:53 PM
Anonymous
Elise Groves

Melissa, that's fantastic.  I just created a flyer over the weekend with 9 QR codes.... 8 of them were one minute video highlights of 8 different types of loan programs and the 9th was about me.   I have already distributed them to 3 open houses yesterday and am taking a stack to the Realtor breakfast in the morning.  Fun and high tech, but it's definitely catching on!  Good for you!

Aug 01, 2011 05:59 PM
#35
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Melissa - Congratulations!  It's great that you were able to get on NBC discussing your marketing techniques and what makes you technology savvy and forward thinking agent.

Aug 01, 2011 06:39 PM
Melissa Brown
Helen Adams Realty - Charlotte, NC
Realtor - South Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

Jean, i like having them too!  It's a great conversation piece!

Jane, your're probably right, but it sure looks short to me, compared to all we talked about!

Marc, I don't know if I can handle anymore "fame!"

Elise, wow, 9 QR codes.  The flyer must look like a piece of modern art!

Christine - what are you doing up at this hour?  Thanks - hey, forward-thinking - I like that!

Aug 02, 2011 01:14 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi Melissa!  Kudos to you on the interview--it wasn't that quick!  I just hate I missed it but, you know how little TV I watch!  We're using the texting and QR codes alot not and it's so nice to be able to track those using it.  It's new to the US but, I don't see it going away any time soon.  Like the gentleman on the interview, my fingers always mis-type so, I love these things!  

Congrats!  I'll get your autograph on the 19th!  :-)

Aug 02, 2011 04:11 PM
Renée Donohue~Home Photography
Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI
Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer

Oh my goodness!  How cool is this?!?!?  Congratulations!  I am so proud of you to get the word out and represent!

Aug 03, 2011 12:58 PM
Daniel H. Fisher
www.FisherHermanRealty.com (704) 617-3544 - Charlotte, NC
MCRP - Charlotte Real Estate, NC or SC

Melissa - Congratulations!  It's great that you were able to get on NBC.  hopefully all that info results in more calls.

Aug 04, 2011 02:27 AM
Anonymous
mike fomil

Melissa you are too modest.  You were easy to interview and fun to work with. 

Aug 15, 2011 04:09 AM
#41
Melissa Brown
Helen Adams Realty - Charlotte, NC
Realtor - South Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

MIKE!!!  i can't believe you found this blog post!  I meant to send you the link - I'm glad you found it.  Thanks again! You rock!

Aug 15, 2011 04:13 AM