QR Codes have lovers and haters.  The haters say its just another fad.  The lovers are using QR codes and laughing all the way to the bank. You be the judge.

Here's my view - it's new technology, it's a fast-growing technology, and if your target market has smart phones and are somewhat tech savvy then I think its great to find another media to connect with them that's low or no cost. Plus QR codes are a great customer involvement device and provide another call to action you can use in your marketing to get prospects to buy.

Here’s my favorite QR Code creator (some elements are free, others cost a bit): http://www.QRStuff.com

Here's a list of QR Code readers / decoders / scanning apps for iPhones, Androids and more: http://www.qrstuff.com/qr_phone_software.html

And most importantly, here are some examples of how you can use QR codes in your marketing to make more sales

1. Business Cards Put a code on your business card containing all of your contact information and give them an irresistible offer
2. Put a QR code On A T-Shirt Send them to a great landing page with a free introductory offer or low cost offer with big savings
3. Use a QR Code as a "get more info" option If you have a physical store, put a QR code on products which when they scan it gives them additional info.  If you don't then you can use QR codes in your service menu or product menu to keep it uncluttered.  List just the main points of each product and service offering in your menu and then give them a QR code they can scan to get more info
4. Put It On Your Website's "Contact Us Page" People take a picture of your page on the screen, put you in their contact list
5. Put It On Your Instruction Sheet People scan it to get step-by-step instructions on how to use a product or service, or get directed to a video where you give them step by step instructions
6. Use QR codes In Print Ads People scan to be taken to a specific landing page on your website
7. Put It On A Campaign Sign, or a Poster Take people directly to your website - preferably a squeeze page so you can incentivize them to "opt in" and give you their info
8. Put It On A For-Sale Sign Take them to a website with video and information about the item being sold - for example a house, a car, a boat.  You could even post this on a bulletin board.
9. Use a QR code to Put It On Your Luggage Ok so it won't get you customers but it'll save you a lot of grief if your luggage ever gets lost…
10. Send a Tweet Scanning it sends out a tweet
11. Do A Location Login Put on every table and the walls of your restaurant, does a foursquare login or a Facebook location login
12. Add To Your LinkedIn Page Passes your contact information or website
13. Call Us To Place Your Order Scan dials their phone
14. Send a Teaser Postcard Send a QR code to a potential client, which takes them to your website
15. Put It On Your Conference NameTag Contact information or website
16. Put A Backsell On Your Invoice Taking them to a landing page making a special offer to upsell them
17. Paypal Buy Link Scanning takes them to Paypal to buy your item
18. Promote An Event Scanning the QR code puts it on their calendar
19. Announce Your Free Wifi Scanning logs them into your wifi account
20. Put It In Your Powerpoint Presentation Build your list by sending them to a special bonus offer if they sign up!

What other ideas do you have for using QR codes?  Share them by posting a comment...