Free QR codes really work

By Dan Wood

Want more calls from your listings? I found a free use for QR codes. All sales reps can start getting more leads directly from the yard sign. This is how: To start, your QR code marketing should be used in print marketing including for sale signs, newspaper ads and direct mail. The QR code takes your offline marketing and turns it into digital marketing – right on the phone of the home buyer.

I didn’t think people used QR codes until I had them directly printed on my signs. In only a few months over 200 people have used a smart phone to get the listing details. (I can’t believe they actually use it – I never do, so I thought it was the same for others). As it turns out, it’s a great way for people to get information passively. So how can we do it cost effectively?

I used the free Google QR code generator (http://www.goo.gl ). Create an account so you can use the free service and track the results. If you don’t make an account you can still use the service, but the more you do, the more Google will see (and if you are the owner of an account bringing Google traffic, they take notice). So make sure you use your Google account.

Once you have an account you can shorten any URL. For example I took http://www.openhouse-tour.com/Featured and Google shortened the link to: http://goo.gl/W73wO (a great way to index your page with Google… and small URLs can be used on Twitter). When you shortened the URL, Google also created the QR code. The code shown here is the one it produced for me and I have it on all my listings.

My sign was designed to use all methods of communication: text, QR, web and calling. See what it looks like at http://goo.gl/43oa2.

I used the “featured page” on my site – not the individual listing, for two reasons. First, it reduces the cost – why make a new sign for every listing? Use your featured page because any listing you have will be on that page too. Think of the power of all your signs working together and cross promoting. Second: after they view the details they might find that listing is not for them. So now they have other options that could be a fit!

The benefits with the Google QR code generator include that your page gets indexed with the biggest search engine in the world. It tracks how many times it was used (showing you what marketing is working or not). It creates a short URL for other social media and it’s free.

Other ways to use QR codes?

Get a sign rider that reads “Scan QR for price” and set it so that when they take a picture it calls your cell. (Cool, the phone can still ring in this business? Yep.)

On direct mail: Direct them to a community fan page you created on Facebook. (A great way to own your farm market).

On public transit: “Look at real estate on your phone as you take the train/ bus/taxi.”

In the waiting room of services in your farm area (dentist, lawyer, auto shop), use the same message: “Look at real estate as you _______”

To watch a video with my thoughts on this topic and more, visit www.HDvideocoaching.com.

Dan Wood is a technology coach at RobVivianCoaching.com and a sales representative with Keller Williams Energy in Oshawa, Ont. Contact Dan at www.openhouse-tour.com or 905-903-5442. Twitter: http://twitter.com/CallDanWood; Facebook www.facebook.com/HDvideocoaching