In a fast-paced digital environment, social media users need instant gratification. Additionally, social media is an ever-evolving field, with new platforms launching, new algorithms, trending formats, and other changing details. That means it can be hard to keep your eyes on the target.

However, you can do more by using innovative, scalable methods, such as QR codes. Short for Quick Response code, they can help you extend your reach, reduce your manual marketing effort, and gain measurable results from your marketing campaigns. The mobile marketing strategy can help you stay ahead of the competition. In this article, we guide you on how to use QR codes to take your marketing to the next level.

What Are QR Codes?

A QR code is a type of barcode that looks like a square pattern and contains encoded data. It's therefore a way to keep more detailed data than with a traditional barcode. When a smartphone user scans a QR code, they receive information about the encoded content, such as Wi-Fi login details, website links, or text. That means it's a fast link between a physical object and digital content.

A QR code and a barcode are similar in that they contain essential information that can only be accessed by scanning them. The black squares and dots in the QR codes contain specific details that a machine can read. The QR code reading app combines with a smartphone camera to turn the code into understandable information. After scanning the code, you will get access to some actionable details.

Why Use QR codes in Social Media marketing

QR codes can be essential tools for scaling social media marketing in different ways, such as:

Increasing Engagement

When you create social media content, your goal is always to ensure readers engage with it by liking, sharing, commenting, and even subscribing. There are different methods you can use to increase your social media engagement, such as placing your social media share button on various platforms.

So, how can QR codes contribute to your social media marketing? You can use them to ensure that your audience lands precisely where you want them to and takes the necessary action. For instance, if your goal is to increase your Facebook likes, you can create a QR code that links to the Facebook like button.

This ensures that liking your Facebook post is more straightforward, as users don't have to search for it to enjoy it. By simply scanning a code, they are taken to the right platform. This can also hasten the process. Therefore, go ahead and add QR codes to your printed materials, email messages, storefronts, etc., to increase engagement. This can be a simple way to drive traffic to your social media page and increase engagement.

Deliver Personalized Content

Studies indicate that when 67% of customers are targeted with personalized content, they tend to spend more. QR codes can be a good way to provide customers with exclusive content tailored to their preferences, interactions, and interests. For instance, you can send customers a QR code in a direct message when they inquire about a product or service, which takes them to a discount or a personalized offer. 

Ensure Consistent Branding

When you ask an in-store customer to follow your brand on Twitter or Instagram, you are encouraging them to engage further with your brand. That also means there is a need for consistent branding across the different touchpoints. QR codes can help you create a consistent branding. You can use tools like Bitly to customize the color, frame, pattern, code, and CTA of the QR code and even integrate it into your logo to improve brand identity with each scan.

Creating Awareness

QR codes on social media aren't a new concept, as Snapchat introduced them in 2015 using the name “SnapCodes”. The feature allows users to scan a code to view another person’s social media profile. The tool also enables other users to generate their own QR Snapcodes to share with others, encouraging them to follow. 

These features have proven successful for many influencers, social media marketers, and celebrities, who already use them to build a following. The list of celebrities who used the tool was long, including Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, and Michelle Obama. In fact, at one point, Snapchat was filled with Snapcode users who leveraged the feature to increase their social media presence.

With the success of SnapCodes, Snapchat expanded it to allow users to link them to websites. To date, the tool has remained an essential feature for generating awareness online. Brands can now use it to reach a bigger audience. As noted earlier, the simple step of scanning codes enables users to take action easily. User-friendliness and simplicity reduce bounce rates for brands.

The use of QR codes to generate awareness isn't limited to Snapchat. Instagram has a similar tool known as Nametags. These can be added to Instagram Stories to help users follow you more easily. Finally, you can also add these QR codes to your printed materials, from receipts to store window displays. This can be combined with AR filters to increase brand awareness and engagement.

Get New Followers and Competitive Differentiation

Brands don't commonly use QR codes for their social media marketing. Therefore, by adopting it for your social media marketing, you can easily differentiate your brand from the competition. By adding these codes to your marketing campaign, you can position yourself as a leader. An example of a brand that has done well is Verizon. The giant telecommunication company uses QR codes to direct and engage users on its Facebook page.

They do this by printing QR codes in their store, where users can scan them to share the post on their Facebook profile, indicating that they have enrolled in an online competition. When a user’s friend clicked a link in a post and made a purchase, the person who shared the QR code won a prize. This campaign helped the company gain more than 25,000 new followers on its Facebook page.

Therefore, QR codes can help you stir excitement among your social media followers and ensure your campaign stays top of mind.

In Conclusion

Suppose you have been running a social media campaign that isn't bringing the desired results. QR codes can be an excellent tool for sprucing up the campaign. Due to their many benefits, they can help you improve social media engagement, set you apart from the competition, and drive brand awareness. By following the steps outlined above, you can effectively use QR codes to improve your social media campaigns.