A QR code is a very specific, two-dimensional code which is readable by a dedicated QR bar code reader, camera phone or smartphone. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The encoded information that an end user can receive might be text, a URL, or other data. It could even be the URL for a Facebook fan page. The medium was developed to allow content to be decoded at high speed and become more interactive.

You may have seen these codes but paid little attention or totally ignored them. But, after I personally tried several and began to see how they worked and how businesses were utilizing them, I started to understand the value of bar-coding and realized the enormous potential for both small and large businesses and service companies.

So how do these QR codes become an effective marketing vehicle? Simply, you can entice and intrigue your prospects by asking them to scan the codes on your ads, brochures, mailers,  promotional products and the like. When they scan the code, your existing and potential customers/clients are interacting with you, the first vital step toward connecting with your brand. And, after they’ve scanned the code you can respond with offers and other information that will help build a relationship. Isn’t that what forming a personal rapport/ connection is all about.

If you’re thinking about venturing into the QR arena, you need to know that it isn’t difficult or time-consuming and the related cost is little or nothing.

Here are five actions to get you going forward so that you can start getting a quick response:

Action 1: Decide where you want to offer the code for scanning. Will you put it on an ad, a direct mail piece, brochure or other collateral material, a sign, display or directly on your products? You can include it on invitations and business cards. Make it easy for people to access and visible from all angles. There are no limitations, only your creative and imaginative use of the code.

Action 2: Determine what your message is. Where do you want to send those receiving the code? Or what do you want to give them? Think about what action you want them to take once they land on the website or receive the information.

Do you want their email address? Or do you just want them to like a fan page or engage by answering a question? You can also offer specials or discounts. Put the code on a product and send readers to an online site to place an order.

Step 3: Create your code: There are hundreds of sites that now offer QR code creation services. Some charge; most don’t. The ones that charge are usually pushing marketing services to accompany the QR code creation — something to consider but not necessary.

Here is a sampling of QR sites:
qr.net
createandtrack.com
qurify.com/
http://createqrcode.appspot.com/

Step 4: Brand and market your QR code. Be creative but remember you want consumers to not only receive the information quickly but also to take action right away. You can draw in prospects with an offer to visit a physical store or a website. Free stuff is always good. Discounts work, too. You could even incorporate the QR code into an entertaining game or contest to win prizes.

Step 5: Track your progress. You need to take the time to measure the outcome of your QR code campaign. When you create your code, make sure that analytics or tracking will be available, whether it’s measuring the number of scans or another activity by the hour or day. Some forms of tracking allow you to see what type of device people used for their scan as well. If you are using a URL for your QR code, you can make it one specific for this campaign and then track it with Google Analytics.

Whether you decide to implement QR codes as an enhanced marketing vehicle, they are definitely worth experiencing as a user. Therefore, I strongly urge you to scan a few offered by other businesses or check out some examples online to see how they work. This is an excellent way to become familiar with the medium and get those creative marketing juices flowing. Happy QR coding!

The study predicts a return to more direct customer contact and less reliance on mass media advertising.
According to the Northwestern University study, brands will always remain important. Nonetheless, as technology enables greater addressability of communications and interactivity becomes mainstreamed, we may experience a return to a pre-modern business world where personal relationships matter more than brand names.

While personal relationships are more common to service businesses including health care, financial services and education than mass market retailing, for example, the study showed a dramtic link between sales representative performance and retention and new business.

A series of surverys conducted for the study showed that customers consistently rated the sales representative higher than the company itself. The survey concluded that “the person is more important than the brand.”

Screen Printing

This is the go to process of choice for many uniform buyers. The conventional look and feel of screen printing on uniforms can be enhanced by athletic inks that have bleed resistance and stretch-ability. Although, they are some issues with nylon and polyester materials, especially the newer performance-wear which has inconsistency in fabrics.

Laser Appliqué and Embroidery

As technological advancements go, the singlehead and laser bridge machines that are interfaced with embroidery machines are having the greatest impact for production speed and innovation. Utilizing this new equipment, appliqué on split-front jerseys and other types of sports uniforms have become quicker, more accurate and sharper looking. In addition to the popular distressed look and reverse appliqué, lasers can easily do multiple layers, which allows for more colors. This all leads to greater creativity manifesting itself in decorating such as appliqué on the hip or vertically down the garments. Employing laser technology even makes it easier to add numbers and individual names to team jerseys with more lightweight material like cotton. Today’s appliqué processes can help teams look a bit different and take their uniforms to the next level.

Heat-Applied Graphics

Pre-cut letters and numbers, digitally cut letters, number and shapes and heat transfers have been a staple in uniform embellishment. Recent improvements in materials, however, are giving this technology a leg up over other decorating techniques. Cad-cut materials come in a wide array of substrates including thermal film to special effects materials like metallic and reflective properties. Plus, the newest innovations in heat-applied graphics include print-and-cut materials that present opportunities for multi-color numbers or letters on a single layer. And, recently released sublimated twills with embedded rhinestones have great application for volleyball, softball, practice jerseys and spiritwear.

Bottom line for all the latest embellishment techniques discussed here is aimed to satisfy an ever-growing appetite for novel, eye-catching artwork on uniforms. Something that really pops off the shirt or pant and leans toward graphic designs with plenty of texture, gradients and shadings. Let your imagination fly and make a unique fashion statement that will be envied and copied.

PERFORMANCE FABRICS NEED TO BE FLEXIBLE AND DURABLE

The most dramatic influence is the use of performance fabrics like microfibers with moisture management and soil resistance. Because both the cheer and dance segments of the market incorporate a lot of movement into their routines, the apparel needs to be made of stretch materials and performance fabrics that allow total flexibility and durability. One of the hottest products is “Hot Shorts” that are built for comfort with increased leg room and a stretch waist that is ultra-soft. Besides the shorts, in-stock uniforms are also hot. Uniforms generally need to be ordered immediately and embellished in a short timeframe. What’s more, the uniforms need to provide variety in color and designs as well as top quality at reasonable costs.

THINK HEAD-TO TOE

You also need to think head-to-toe. So when outfitting your team, also consider warm-ups, practice gear, outerwear and accessories such as poms, megaphones, schedule and ribbon magnets, pennants, pep towels, thunderstix, water bottles and the like. Fashion and comfort are equals when it comes to spirit wear. The team needs to look and feel great. And, spirit wear is not just for practice or the game. Invariably, this lightweight, breathable apparel can translate and transition well into personal time for an active lifestyle at the gym, running errands or even shopping at the local mall, which may also increase and extend school identity and loyalty.

DECORATE YOUR UNIFORMS WITH STYLE AND PIZZAZZ

Screen printing and embroidery tend to remain the most popular and practical decorating applications with tackle-twill lettering a common mainstay on uniforms. The newest wrinkle is the look of rhinestone appliques which can add pizzazz and engender a more custom look.  Whatever the means of distinction, the cheer and spirit markets thrive on creativity and uniqueness, just like the teams they’re cheering for. For spirit wear ideas, we highly recommend visiting our supplier partners including: Boxercraft at www.boxercraft.com; Pizzazz Performance Wear at www.pizzazzwear.com; Pepco Poms Sports at www.pepcopoms.com and Teamwork Athletic Apparel at www.teamworkathletic.com

So cheer up… and go team go!

Industries such as automotive, real estate, health care, hospitality, travel and tourism as well as non-profits has employed bags as successful promotional vehicles. There are numerous case studies which attest to the versatility and practical nature of a tote bag.

Tote bags, as I’m sure aware, come in many sizes and materials. Briefly, two of the most popular categories are: Sturdy Non-Woven Polypropylene with stitched seams, side and bottom gussets, reinforced sewn handles, and hemmed opening and Cotton Canvas, open or zippered, with or without front, top and side pockets for additional and handy storage of pens, notepads, cell phones and other electronic devices. The latest wrinkle is, of course, Eco-Friendly collections which make for environmentally responsible gifts which let you make an impression and a statement that helping our planet is important and vital. Included are bags made from recycled, recyclable and natural materials like non-woven jute and “PET”, perfect as a carry-all or for grocery shopping and organic cotton where farming techniques maintain soil fertility and reduce toxic pesticides and insecticides that pollute our air and water.

No matter your purpose, there is a tote bags to fulfill your marketing and promotional objectives and meet your budget requirements. Three of my favorite companies for style, selection and dependability in the promotional products fields are: Acrobag at www.acrobag.com; Bagmakers at www.bagmakersinc.com amd Leed’s at www.leedsword.com.

Use a qualified e-mail list

To make sure your blast message gets out, send it to the appropriate contacts.
It’s very tempting to buy a 5,000 name list and just blast it out. But, how many of those “strangers” will actually open it. More and more, people are afraid of viruses and they’re reluctant to click on an e-mail from a name they don’t recognize or that looks suspicious. Your best bet is to do all the e-mailing yourself. Compile your list from people you may have met at a networking or chamber event or that you know from the social networks like Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. Target specific clients or your own prospects. That way, at least you have a fighting chance of someone opening and responding to your offer or message. A good clue is look at your own inbox and considers what you’d be willing to open without repercussion. If it’s someone you’ve worked with in the past, there’s a good chance that your e-mail will be opened.

Create a sense of value

You might want to include a special offer, such a free consultation, discount, gift or giveaway for responding. Even if it’s not exactly what a client or prospect wants, it may engender a conversation. Sharing information may get a strong response; you don’t always have to be selling anything. Something like, “what do you think of this” or “I ‘d like your opinion about…” should boost your open rate.

E-mail marketing is here to stay and its impact will be felt for years to come.
Best of all, you can measure success directly with web service sites like www.bit.ly which creates trackable URL’s. Used in conjunction with your website,
traditional direct mail and other advertising media, it’s a great means of attracting attention to your products and services.

Three of my favorite pen suppliers to the promotional products industry are: Bic Graphic USA at www.bicgraphic.com, Bullet Line at www.bulletline.com and Hub Pen Company at www.hubpen.com. Other recognizable name brand writing instruments can be procured from companies like Cross and Mont Blanc, which generally speaking, have a more upscale image and appeal.
Pens, as you can well imagine, come in many varieties, thick and thin styles in plastic, metal and wood and a wide range of price points. Popular styles include everything from stick pens to retractables with rubber grips to neat floating pens with icons or company logos floating in liquid to the newest rage of scented pens that smell like bubble gum, cinnamon, black licorice, lemons or flowers. Many pens today are green, composed of biodegradable materials that are truly environmentally friendly. There’s an endless variety, so I always suggest that clients get samples of pens to judge their writing smoothness, hand comfort/tactile feel and overall use/image to be conveyed.
Remarkably, there are pens to fit every budget and purpose from less than a $1.00 to $50.00 and up. Despite the emerging growth of laptops, I-pads, PDA’s/ interactive, touch screen phones and the like, people still carry a pen or two when they travel, are at work or at home. They’re handy and always dependable (except when you run out of ink). Adding your logo/brand and contact information can increase ROI and company and/or product/service loyalty and recognition.
Visit kaufmanadvertising.com and click on the Wear It’s At link for details and ordering information.

Incorporate a background or theme: This presents a powerful way of arousing the excitement and interest of your targeted customers. You can easily discover that the people are largely moved by the brochures which promote any lifestyle or theme. For instance, if you choose your brochures which are eco friendly and motivate awareness towards the environment as well as passing on your business message, they will be highly appreciated by your potential customers and preferred over the other ordinary ones. So, if you really desire to touch the heart of your targeted customers, all you need to do is to plan and incubate a theme or background which can hold the interest of your customers.

Lay stress on a particular or innovative key factor: While moving on with your brochure printing, you must highlight one key factor which is creative as well as innovative and which can prove to be highly beneficial for your customers. Instead of confusing your customers with lots of unwanted content, highlight and bold a unique factor of your products or services which can upraise the way of living of your customers and help them to accentuate their lifestyle.

Use attractive models: When online printing your brochures, you can consider using attractive models. A plain brochure is never noticed by the people whereas those images or pictures which are pleasing to the eye are often acknowledged by people in the first glance itself.

Always highlight the monetary benefits: People are always attracted towards those products and services which offer them monetary benefits. By highlighting the monetary benefits in your brochures you can easily enjoy the instant response of your customers. For instance, while offering a price reduction in your cosmetic products, you must bold or highlight the amount of money which can be saved by purchasing the product.

Rose is an article author who brings the information about online printing & brochures through article, news, press release and blogs. For more details on brochures & online printing visit our website. http://www.utharaprint.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rose_Wilson

Consider the fact that we’ve invested copious time and capital in top-notch desktop publishing applications such as Quark, In-Design, Illustrator and Photoshop. Also, outsourcing gives you an objective sounding board for research, idea generation and brainstorming, not to mention a plethora of professional writers, graphic designers and media specialists whose education and skills are specifically in the marketing/communications field.

I know. I know. You might say who knows my products and services better than
me, and you’re probably right. And maybe, just maybe, you were a marketing or communications major in college and you happen to be running the company or organization. By all means, if you have the time, inclination and talent, go for it. If not, consider making the investment in a competent, experienced agency who
may or may not have exact expertise in your field, but with a bit of education and guidance, can help you reach your goals and objectives by employing fresh creative coupled with proven concepts and the latest techniques.

Now here comes the shameless plug. We are a full service, award-winning advertising agency, and our focus is on helping small (er) business. Hopefully, we, and other agencies of our persuasion, offer an alternative to grappling with software that doesn’t yield the right file formats (i.e. Publisher) which can be sent to a printer or used for other forms of sharp, truly professionally-looking reproduction. Add to that the many forms of available media. How do you navigate through, evaluate and determine which of the mind-boggling mediums will work best in your situation? Wouldn’t it be better to have a filter with which to discuss your media options so you don’t waste your resources on something that may be hit or miss?

Of course, I’ll be the first to tell you that all media and forms of advertising need to be tested and continually tweaked, especially in our constantly changing 21st century business environment. In my experience, those who choose to handle their own advertising and marketing may be headed for disaster. Should you decide to hire an ad agency make sure they’re just your size and blend into your company culture and can work within your means. If you don’t have an established budget, general rule is to allocate 5% of total sales to your marketing efforts. By the way, Kaufman Advertising always offers a one time, no cost consultation at your office or ours.