QR codes now appear in magazines, on signs, flyers, business cards, and are useful for just about any object for which users might need additional information. Japan has been using QR codes since 1994, and with the growing popularity of QR codes overseas, they are beginning to take hold in the United States. Several studies indicate that usage of QR codes in the U.S. has increased exponentially since they were first introduced here. Sears used QR codes in their 2010 holiday Wish Book and the new annual Sears Tools Catalog is populated with QR codes as well. So how can you use this technology to promote your business? Below are a few examples of what QR codes can do for your company:

Printed Ads: Allow customers to download contact information or link to a Google Maps location.

Catalogs: Link to additional product information such as specification sheets or instructional videos, dial in directly to your sales department.

Direct Mail: Link to your website, electronic catalog, or a form to request information.

Business Cards: Provide directions to your location, a link to your website, or access to a video from you or your company.

Contact The Marion Group to learn more about using QR codes and take your marketing outreach to the next level.

Sample Post Card with PURL and QR Code

…No, not the lovely, spherical gems, but valuable nonetheless.

PURLs are Personalize URLs (or microsites). A person enters their PURL into a browser and they are taken to a web page or microsite customized just for them. Typically used in conjunction with direct mail campaigns, PURLs are designed to increase the response rate of your marketing campaign.

PURLs can be printed on postcards such as the one shown, prompting the target customer to visit the site using the given URL. Recognizing their name, that customer is more likely to respond.

So why is this a good idea?

1. A great way to create interest and curiosity.
2. PURLs have been known to increase the conversion rate by 4-5 times than just direct mail campaigns alone.
3. Higher conversion rates translates to lower cost per conversion
4. When visitors log onto your site, you’re able to capture valuable data, allowing you to continually tailor your approach to your customers.

You can create an even more modern campaign by including a QR Code along with the PURL. Using their QR reader, smartphone users can go directly to the mobile version of the PURL with just a click of the camera. More on QR Codes…

The Wright Asphalt brochure project was a fun challenge for us, since it dealt with an industry we had not previously worked with. The design utilized images of asphalt in various ways to bring out the essence of the product and highlighted the beauty of the open road. The completed piece was a 9” x 12”, 4-page plus cover brochure.

Corporate brochures are important as sales tools and positioning pieces. However, if the brochure is not strategically planned out and professionally designed, your new brochure may end up in your potential customer’s trash can.

Consider the following points, when you decide to redesign an existing brochure or create a new one.

• Does your brochure communicate the message intended and stand up against the competition?
• Does your brochure connect emotionally with your prospective customers?
• Is your design professional?
• Does the design use high quality imagery?
• Does your brochure connect personally with your target audience?
• Is your brochure easy to read and follow?
• Is the brochure in language the customer will understand and relate to?
• Are the benefits of the product or service listed up front?
• Does the brochure convey a strong message?
• Is the customer asked to complete a specific action such as calling the office or visiting the website?

When it’s time to produce a new brochure, it should be for a definite purpose and the appropriate investment should be made. Cutting corners may end up with an unimpressive piece.

Check Marion’s latest brochure creations.

Learn more about Marion’s brochure design processes at www.marion.com.

Merry Christmas and enjoy our animated greeting card. Click to view card.

YouTube has been a tremendous success for all who wish to post their videos at no cost, and the site has been an overwhelming success for its owner, Google. It generates the 4^th largest amount traffic on the Internet. However, how to monetize this traffic bonanza has always been an issue for Google.

Here is one way that Google is trying to monetize it for both advertisers and amateur videographers whose video postings go viral. [Note: A viral video is one that achieves widespread popularity through a process of Internet sharing, such as through email, IM (Instant Messaging), blogs and other media sharing websites.]

Read or listen to this NPR interview to learn how Google does it and how a dad made $25,000 from advertisers with a video of his son, David, after a visit to the dentist.

Look at the video of David after his visit to the dentist and see why it went viral.