It was just about a year ago that I published the post – Great Summer Reading: Cause Marketing for Dummies – a review of the book Joe Waters (Selfish Giving) co-authored about cause marketing. So it seems fitting that this summer I'm reviewing Joe's knew book - QR Codes for Dummies.
QR Codes are powerful and highly versatile
As Joe notes in the book’s Introduction, QR codes “are the simplest of digital tools,” but they are “book-worthy” because they are powerful and highly versatile. The QR stands for “Quick Response” because they offer a quick way of connecting “the offline world with online content” via “a cell phone readable bar code.”
"Exploring possible uses for QR Codes"
In this book, along with offering insight into what QR codes are, how to create and use them, Joe also offers tips for “Making the Business Case for QR Codes.” And Chapter 7 includes a section on “Using QR Codes for Fundraising" that explains the “potential for QR Code use for causes, especially for fundraising.” He notes that “QR Codes are great ways to link people to additional information you want to share.” Here are just three of the examples Joe suggests:
- Make a donation: Link donors to a donation page with a QR Code
- Tell your story: Link to pictures, video, testimonials to share your mission with key stakeholders
- Sign a Petition: Use a QR Code to link supporters to a petition page
Are QR Codes Here to Stay?
In Chapter 9: Embracing a Readable Future, Joe admits that “No one knows what the future of QR Codes will be,” but as he notes earlier in the book, in 2011, 2.1 million users generated 2.7 million codes (via QRStuff.com), so they’re certainly proving to be popular right now. And as we move to a more mobile world, QR Codes can enable your supporters to link immediately with your website and provide a “quick response” when needed. In the final chapter, Joe offers “Ten Practical Uses for QR Codes” to consider – from “delivering real-time information” to “generating leads.”
Check out the book
If you want to know more about QR Codes or think they might be an effective tool for your organization, check out Joe Waters’ book – QR Codes for Dummies. It’s a slim summer read at 112 pages, but packed with information on what QR Codes are; how to create them; and how to measure your success.
Have you used QR Codes at your organization? Share the details in the comments below.