Let's take a look at the basics of QR codes and how they might be used effectively in higher education for development and marketing.

1. The QT on QR: Using QR Codes
John Chivvis, Texas A&M AgriLife
Jennifer Shike, University of Illinois, College of ACES
Melea Licht, Iowa State University
NAADA Virtual Coffee Break • April 10, 2012
aglifesciences.tamu.edu

2. What they are
• Quick Response Code
– 2D matrix barcode
– Originally designed to track auto parts
– Holds more data than traditional UPC barcode
– 4 types of data
• Numeric, alphanumeric, bytes/binary, Kanji
aglifesciences.tamu.edu

3. How they work
• Require a reader app
• Read, decode,
process.
• Not just off/on but the
combination (pattern)
– Holds much more data
• More information, more
complex patterns
Phone Email address Web URL
number
aglifesciences.tamu.edu

4. How they can be used
• Use anywhere to provide more • Including:
– Website URL
information. – YouTube Video
– Google Maps Location
– Twitter
– Facebook
– LinkedIn
– FourSquare
– iTunes Link
– Plain Text
– Telephone Number
– Skype Call
– SMS Message
– Email Address
– Email Message
– Contact Details (VCARD)
– Event (VCALENDAR)
– Wifi Login
– Paypal Buy Now Link
aglifesciences.tamu.edu

5. Do they work?
… but according to Forrester Research, only 5% of American consumers who own mobile
phones report actually ever scanning one in the last three months.
aglifesciences.tamu.edu

6. Where they don’t work
• Physical
– Distance
– Coverage
– Scaling
• Strategic
– Poor implementation
– No added value
– No endpoint
aglifesciences.tamu.edu

7. Marketing Strategies
• Offer value.
– Make sure it’s something I would want to get/visit.
– Don’t copy same info from QR source
• WWMUD (What Would Mobile Users Do)?
– Think about smartphone users and devices
• Geolocation
• Calendar
• Contact info
• Coupon/discount
• What’s the call to action? Why should they scan?
• Remember who your audience is.
• Tracking/measurements.
aglifesciences.tamu.edu

8. Production Strategies
• KISS (Keep it simple to scan)
– Simple URLs, shorten links if too long
• Scale appropriately.
• Don’t produce in a vacuum.
– Remember the endpoint.
• Make sure your Web page is mobile friendly
• Make sure your video isn’t in Flash
• Test it out.
– The absolute simplest way to prevent 90% of problems.
• For both production and marketing.
aglifesciences.tamu.edu

9. Resources
• Learn more:
– http://mashable.com/follow/topics/qr-codes/
• Generators:
– http://qrcode.kaywa.com/
– http://www.qrstuff.com/
– http://goo.gl/
aglifesciences.tamu.edu

10. CONTACT:
John Chivvis, Associate Director of Communications
Texas A&M AgriLife Communications
chiv@tamu.edu • (979) 458-2677
aglifesciences.tamu.edu