39 Ways to use QR Codes

1. QR Codes on bus stops, train stations and subway stations: A quick scan would give realtime information on when the next bus, train or subway arrives.
2. Posted next to paintings and sculptures at museums. Great for visitors who want to learn more about the artist, the time period, and the reaction to the photo. Could also include links to other work by the artist, related artists, and even the ability to buy the image on a mug or poster at the museum shop.
3. As part of a personalized direct mail piece. Each QR code can go to a PURL (personalized URL (Uniform Resource Locator)).
4. On historical sites and on walking trails. Sure, a plaque is fine for grandma, but I’d like to delve deeper, whether with a wikipedia entry, or an video of a local historian explaining the significance of the site.
5. On For Sale signs. Whether residential or commercial, for sale signs could include codes that had all the information a sell sheet includes, plus video walkthroughs.
6. Email newsletter signups. Build your subscriber base by having quick links to an email signup box.
7. E-learning. Have your QR code generate an email that starts an autoresponder, sending daily emails filled with lessons and related information.
8. Next to packaged food in groceries. Give shoppers quick access to recipes that include the ingredients they see on the shelf.
9. On produce. You could include information about the farm, organic vs. conventional growing, best by dates, etc.
10. Buying coffee (or anything else.)
11. On bottles of wine. It would be nice to be able to get info about the vineyard, and maybe buy a case of that bottle I enjoyed at the restaurant.
12. On tags for sustainable clothes. Is that piece of clothing really sustainable?
13. For conference signage. Next to the name of the upcoming sessions in each room would be the QR code so you could get the full description, speaker bios, and see if there’s any room left.
14. On conference name tags. Why trade business cards when you can just scan them.
15. As part of interactive maps.
16. At the bottom of all newspaper and magazine articles. Then you could quickly get to the online version and see the comments that other readers had left.
17. On liquor bottles. Linked to drink recipes; this would be especially good for new drinks you’re bringing to market.
18. On the fliers that you find under your windshield wipers at the mall. One example might be an offer for a car wash; the URL would give you the discount code and directions to the car wash offering the deal.
19. Inside elevators. If I ran a dry cleaning service or something else that helped busy executives out I’d advertise inside elevators in tall buildings. Other good options might include flowers (for spouses left at home with the kids), discounts on take out food, etc.
20. In bar bathrooms. I often see Home Runners and cab companies advertising above the urinals in bars. (Hey, what can I say? I frequent classy places.) Why not make it easier for patrons to get a safe ride home, rather than drunk dial a wrong number?
21. Within a video game console to share avatars.
22. To get more people to sign a petition.
23. At bars, clubs and anywhere else music is playing.
24. On the backs of tractor trailers. Because “How’s My Driving?” with an 800 number is so last decade.
25. On wedding invitations instead of RSVP cards. Scan a QR, save a tree. And a stamp.
26. As a temporary tattoo. Link it to your Facebook profile or Twitter account.
27. On a laminated card for trade shows. Instead of dropping a business card in a fish bowl. Booths win because they’ll get all the pertinent info, and the event could give away prizes to the people who get scanned the most.
28. To encourage community feedback.
29. On the bottom of flip flops. The imprint they make on the beach…until the tide comes in.
30. On coffee cups from your local coffee shop. Plenty of advertising opportunities here.
31. On posters linking to free books. 1st Bank is giving away free copies…They also have other boards that link to free sudoku.
32. On trade show booths. Scan a picture, (be entered to) win a free iPod.
33. On recipes in magazines. Quick link to videos, reviews and feedback at the website.
34. For self-guided tours at factories. Scan a code, learn what that dohickey does.
35. Posted on car windows in dealerships.
36. Scratch and Win cards. It’s not enough to have them scratch off the card, make them scan that card to see if they’ve won.
37. On movie posters. QR code takes them to a preview of the movie.
38. On cocktail napkins. The code could take networkers to the sponsor’s site, the beverage’s site, or some networking site with photos, so you can connect with people after the event.
39. Business cards. ‘Nuff said.