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65 Ways To Use QR Codes for Real Estate.... FREE... AND WHY!

QR Codes are the least understood buzz words in real estate technology today. Everybody has heard of them. Most have seen them... even if they didn't know what they were or do. Tech guru's are using them as the lead-ins for seminars promising to demystify them for the masses. Why the hype?

They are NEW-FANGLED BAR CODES

BUT......

• Anybody can create one... FREE
• They hold MUCH MORE INFORMATION than the old tech line-type bar codes.
• Anyone can print these QR Codes on almost anything.
• Their uses are limitless. Whatever the imagination can devise.
• Anyone with a smart phone can read these and get untold amounts of information if they get a FREE app for their phone.

Marketers (read that as REALTOR(R)s, Lenders, Inspectors, Stagers, Builders, Contractors, Printers, Retailers... et. al.) can convey almost anything (ie. contact information, videos, listings, pricing, how to lists, instructions... and on, and on) to anyone with today's smart phones that they wish. WOW !!!!

Consumers (read that home buyers, shoppers, DIYers, contractors,,, et. al.) can learn almost anything (ie. how to info, instructions, recipes, virtual tours... and on, and on) from savy marketers by scanning these magic squares known as QR Codes with your smart phones.... get a free app and see.

Here's the deal....

They are so much in the news that writer Shan Li penned a major Los Angeles Times article titled "A code meant to be cracked" on the front page of a section recently. Why? These codes are everywhere. They are a significant advertising tool, and savy marketers are jumping on the band wagon.

If you know about these magic squares and have used them, you are part of an elite club numbering only 5% of smart phone users according to Li's reference to Forrester Research. Seems an insignificant number until you learn that 50% of all Americans will own smart phones by the end of this year per the Nielsen Co., and QR (quick response) codes created increased 25 times to 2,000,000 per month from just one maker in the last two years.

What EVERY REALTOR IS ASKING.... And the Answer...

What can I use QR Codes For???

Put one....

1. On your business card to convey contact information to a client smart phone.
2. On your business card to connect a client to your "About Me" video.
3. On your company car for the same reasons as above.
4. On a billboard - same as above.
5. On a yard sign - same as above
6. On a yard sign linking to a Virtual Tour of the home.
7. On yard signs to give a virtual tour of the neighborhood parks, schools, shopping.
8. On yard signs to link to Walking Scores.
   
9. On your property flyer  - same as above.
10. On your flyer for added photos or birds eye view.
    
11. On Print ads to give more information or same as above.
12. Wherever, linked to maps of whatever.
13. On whatever telling of the next open house.
14. In storefront displays giving added property information.
15. On whatever to link to trusted service providers like lenders, inspectors, stagers, home warranty providers, contractors.
16. On whatever to link to your web page.
17. On whatever to link to your blog.
18. On whatever to link to a special blog post of interest.
19. On whatever to link to community services.
20. Whatever to link to survey sites for whatever.
21. On whatever to link to your real estate statistics.
22. On whatever to link to clubs or organization web pages or videos.
23. On whatever to link to event information.
24. On name badges to provide contact information at events.
25. On whatever to link to home building project plans, material lists, instructions -written or videos.
    
26. On whatever to provide home repair information - written of videos.
27. On whatever to provide maintenance schedules.
28. On whatever to provide links to product manufacturers.
29. On whatever to provide utility contact information or trash pick-up dates.
30. Wherever with city video tours.
31. On whatever with links to financial and mortgage calculators.
32. Wherever with a link to a buy vs. rent calculator.
33. On your introduction package with a link to first time buyer Q&As.
34. On your pre-listing package with seller Q&As.
35. On focused ads linking to foreclosure, probate or short sale information Q&As.
36. Wherever with links to how to prep the home for selling.
37. Wherever with health and safety tips - smoke detector or Co alarm placement.
38. Wherever with a link to you to see who is tech savvy or not.  :-)
39. At the open house to provide  door prize entry information with an e-mail back to you.
40. Wherever with links to discount offers from business partners.
41. On specific home features needing explanations - a.k.a. shelf talkers.
42. On your TV commercial or power point to provide more information.
43. At your Broker's office to highlight the featured listing of the day.
44. On your webinar to offer further training or make an offer for package discounts.
45. Wherever if you are supporting a charity - scan code to make a donation to a non-profit via Pay-Pal.
46. On your letterhead linking to your "about Me" video.
47. On your web site to download your information into the viewers smart phone... or maybe take the viewer to your Twitter feed.
48. On your print ads to launch digital content or updates.
49. On your ads, presentations or at seminars to launch calendar items or help to schedule an appointment.
50. In your e-books to add further specialized content.
51. On whatever to launch an e-book or podcast.
52. On Land for Sale signs to conven details like zoning and utilities, price or boundaries or neighborhood information ... even maps.
53. On your personal Luggage or briefcase. - Lost? Found!
54. Shelf talkers as audio commentary.
55. On directional signs with mak links.
56. On your Facebook or LinkedIn page with contact information.
57. On whatever to replace extremely long Google Map URLs.
58. On whatever to Tweet This - Scan this code to Tweet this story to whoever.
59. On property signs for REALTOR Caravan directions to the next location - Google maps app for how to get there from here.
60. On media releases for added information.
61. On Grocery shopping carts - Featured Realtor or Property (scan code stays the same... content changes weekly)
62. On buss Shelters with ad information - same for taxi stands, bus benches,
63. On event flyers to facilitate word-of-mouth.
64. On trade show displays with special show offers or product app updates etc.
65. On Post cards or direct mail - various scan codes for contact information, prize drawings just sold videos, just listed videos.

CAUTION !!!

Even though you CAN provide almost any information that you can find elsewhere, BE SURE THAT YOU DO NOT PORTRAY YOURSELF AS AN EXPERT IN SOMETHING FOR WHICH YOU HAVE NO QUALIFICATIONS.

Also, whatever you link to MUST be of quality. It will reflect upon your image and professionalism. Make it good. Make it meaningful. Make sure there is VALUE.

This is only a start. IT'S YOUR TURN TO SHARE YOUR IDEAS.

"65 Ways To Use QR Codes for Real Estate.... FREE... AND WHY!" is just to get the imagination going. Help by commenting, critiquing, ammending, adding, asking questions.... whatever.

UPDATE: One way NOT TO USE QR CODES. Does your MLS have a restriction regarding placing advertising in the photos of your listings? You may want to aviod putting a QR code in the photo section of your listings..... You may be inviting a violation.... Just saying.