QR Codes (Quick Response Codes) are the connection between online and offline marketing. With the advancement and acceleration of smart phones, consumers have the ability to scan and interpret this barcode with their mobile phone. Originally created by a subsidiary of Toyota, Denso-Wave, the QR Code technology has been around for over a decade.
Versatility is QR Code’s middle name.
The amount of data that a QR Code can hold is approximately 7089 Numeric characters or 4296 Alphanumeric characters as stated on Wikipedia.
This allows for the encoding of URLs, phone numbers, full contact information, SMS messages, links to launch YouTube videos, display static text… to name a few options offered by this revolutionary technology.
How Can Advertisers Use QR CODES in Printed Materials?
Believe it or not, your entire marketing piece can be designed around a QR code.
Want to inform your customers of a GRAND OPENING? Create a Google Places Page which provides you with a pre-made QR Code that contains a link to your Google Places Page, Your customers can scan the code and visit your Google Places Page on their mobile phone. Once there, your customer will find all there is to know about your business and directions to your location. Scan the QR Code above and see for yourself!
Do you have a product demonstration video? Include a QR Code in your postcard, brochure or even next to the product in your catalog that will direct the customer to view a product demonstration video on their mobile device. This also gives you the chance to direct the customer to a landing page on your website before or after the video is viewed, reinforcing the sale.
Want to make it easier for that potential customer to retain your contact information? Generate a QR Code that contains all of your contact information and include it on your business card. When a customer scans your QR Code with their mobile device, depending on the QR Code Reader they are using (see “QR Code Readers” below), your contact information will be displayed and saved to the “contacts” or phone book of the mobile device.
Depending on your product or service, QR Codes can serve a variety of customizable uses in your marketing scheme.
Where can Custom QR Codes be Generated?
We must be thankful (to Denso-Wave) for the use of QR Codes being free of any license. This has given developers the ability to create online QR Code generators…FREE TO USE! Of course you will find some out there that want to charge to use their generator or allow for Non-Commercial use only, but here is a list I compiled to help you get started generating QR Codes and better yet… more sales conversions!
beQRious – Extensive Options – Featured: QR Code with Embedded Image
ZXing Project – Extensive Options – Featured: Wi-fi Login Information
QRStuff – Extensive Options – Featured: Google Maps Directions
Business letterheads not only reflect what your company does or what it is, but it reflects the type of customers you serve. Make your customers feel at home each time they open correspondence from you. Help them remember who you are and what your purpose in their lives is. A good letterhead carries more than just your company’s information; it carries character and the type of familiarity that makes your clients feel at ease when doing business with you.
Print your business letterheads in full color to reinforce your brand and marketing message. You can add different features, such as a simulated custom watermark, a design for the back side, or anything you can think of. Invoices, receipts, or any formal correspondence should always be printed on company letterheads. Your customers will notice and appreciate the difference and convenience this brings them when archiving, sorting, or preparing business reports.
Make sure your logo dresses up your stationery with vivid, bright colors.
Here is some information to keep handy while constructing your business letterhead design:
Your logo and basic contact information should always be part of your letterhead. Keep the background subtle and sober, you do not want to distract the reader from the information provided in the body of the letter.
Divide and Conquer
You may divide the information in two parts; header (at the top) and footer (at the bottom), this allows more space in the body of the document for the content of your letter. The header should consist of your logo, company colors, and basic contact information. The footer usually contains more formal copyright, business entity, and disclaimers. Include company colors in the footer as well. A hairline bar, separating the footer from the body content, for instance, can tie the brand together across the page.
Size it Up…or Down
Make sure your font does not go below 8, or it would be incredibly difficult to read, on the other hand, make sure it is not so big that it makes the content look cluttered and unrefined. Look at your page as a whole, and determine whether the relationship of the sizes (logo, font, lines) is smooth and appealing.
Backdrop or Watermark
It is interesting to have something in the background of your letterhead, it could be your logo in a 10% tint or an image representing your product or service. However, all with moderation. The background should not be the most visible part of your letterhead, and should definitely not upstage the content of your letter, or even worse, make it unreadable.
Background
Beautiful business letterheads are printed on uncoated paper for ink-jet printing and ballpoint pen writing ease; the industry standard. There are many premium stocks available that include textured finishes to give your letterhead that extra oomph of professionalism.
For inspiration, below are a few letterhead designs that stand out above the rest:
Are there any business letterhead designs that you would like to share?
