Blogger: Janet Kobobel Grant
Location: Books & Such main office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
If you don’t know what a QR code is, scroll down to the end of this post to take a peek. QR (which stands for “quick response”) codes are ubiquitous–on food packaging, on clothing tags, in ads, etc. The codes might provide recipes that use the food item you’ve just purchased or ways to tie the scarf you’re considering buying or a video about the car pictured in an ad.
I’ll suggest some ways authors can use QR codes in a minute, but first I’ll explain how they work. (If you already know, just move on down to the numbered items.) The codes are two-dimensional, which means they can carry much more information than the one-dimensional bar code. QRs are designed to be used with smartphones by scanning the code with the phone’s camera. The phone’s software interprets the information and takes the user to a spot on the Internet.
Android phones have built in QR code readers, but other smartphone users can download an app for their phones to read the codes. CBA Retailers + Resource Magazine in its November 2011 issue, indicated that 40% of all mobile phones in the U.S. are smartphones, and by 2015 more smartphones will be owned than other mobile phones. The Pew Internet and American Life Project found that the majority of Americans research online items they’re considering purchasing. InsightExpress’s study reveals that 82% of shoppers already use their phones in some way before purchasing.
For all these reasons, it makes sense for authors to think about how they might use QR codes. Here are a few suggestions to get your creativity going:
1. On your business card. When you hand someone your business card, you could be handing them quick and efficient access to your website. You don’t need to put your web address on your card, which the user would have to type in (correctly, which is a challenge for some of us). Or you could send someone to your blog, if you want to show off your writing.
2. On your proposals. Picture a publishing committee meeting. There’s the conference room, the conference table, the decisionmakers–and lots of laptops. As the editor presents your project, everyone’s fingers are flying on keyboards. Your website is checked out; your presence on Twitter; what’s going on for you on Facebook; a quick trip to Amazon to check out your previous books and where they stand in the rankings.
Now picture this: You put a QR code on your proposal that takes the reader to your website; or you have a (short!) video of you speaking that shows off how adept you are in front of an audience or a video during you give your pitch for the project being considered. That way the committee gets to meet not only your project but also you.
3. To reach your readers. Ask your publisher to put a QR code in your book that leads the reader to a brief video of you introducing the book (and yourself). Or a QR code to an online readers’ discussion guide.
4. To sell other books. Add a QR code to a bookmark that contains all of your titles or all of the books in a series. Since reviews often help a reader to decide to buy a book, why not establish a page of reviews (or segments of reviews, to keep it short) on your website and create a code to take readers there.
The possibilities are almost limitless. And creating codes is easy. Just google “QR code,” and you’ll be taken to a variety of sites from which you can create the codes.
What ways can you think of to use a QR code?
And, now, just for fun, here’s a QR code that takes you to a photo of our agency staff, including our newest addition, Rachelle Gardner.
P.S. For those of you used to the rhythms of our blog posts, you’ll expect to read more from me tomorrow and Friday. But we’re trying a new rhythm of three blogs from one writer followed by two blogs from another contributor. So tomorrow and Friday you’ll meet up with Wendy Lawton here. We’re experimenting with this new arrangement for several weeks, and we’d love to hear what you think of the change as it rolls out. Plus we’ve added Rachelle Gardner to the writing schedule as well, starting on Feb. 13; so she’s a new voice on our blog that we know you’re gonna love.
These are some great ideas, Janet. Not long ago, the ministry of one of my collaborators had the opportunity to create an ad for a national conference program. The designer added a QR code at the base of the ad to take readers straight to my collaborator’s ministry website.
We also use QR codes in SUSIE Magazine, http://www.susiemagazine.com. Subscribers receive a code that takes them to an online video devotional by editor Susie Shellenberger.
I love the idea of including such a code on a business card. Or I will–once I break down and switch to a smartphone.
Thanks for the explanation and exploration of QR application to the pub. industry!
I know several authors are beginning to make use of Pinterest.com as a virtual storyboard or “behind-the-scenes” tool to engage readers with pictures that relate to their stories as character/setting inspiration, research, etc.
A QR to each book’s Pinterest board would be a neat usage, too.
Marti, thanks for telling us about ways you’ve seen QR codes used; that’s helfpul. Now, go get a smart phone!
Amanda, what a great idea to “pin” your QR code to Pinterest. For those not familiar with Pinterest, it’s a site where you can set up a page full of pictures. Many women use it to search for home decorating ideas and other domestic art concepts, but it’s a great place to connect with readers as well.
Janet, thanks for your excellent suggestions. I never thought about putting a QR code on my business card, but the next time I reorder, I will.
Since I’ve been working with 5th and 6th graders in Sunday School, I’ve learned just how tech-savvy many of them are. Even those whose parents haven’t gifted them with smartphones yet know what a QR code is–and the very existence of that code earns the bearer 1000 cool points and an opportunity to be heard.
One thing that I think many of us are behind on, however–making our websites smartphone-friendly. If our sites don’t look stellar on the small screen, we not only lose our 1000 cool points, we pay another 1000 points in Lame Tax–and may never get a second chance with that viewer.
D.
LOL. My rep from Staples told me about the QR code last year. Husband and I both have them on our cards. I took them to ACFW Conference and it was a new thing for those who saw my card. I expect we all have them now. =)
Off to find a site that creates them.Any recommendations?
Ah, perfect timing for my cards and upcoming website.
The site our office uses to create QR codes is http://www.qurify.com. The instructions are easy to follow, and the codes are free. I’ve seen other sites that charge for the codes.
Daniel, that’s a good point about our websites and what they look like when shrunk to fit on a smartphone’s screen.
Sharon, if everyone puts the codes on his/her business card, that’s great. But that also says to me that, as creative people, we should push the envelope for how we use them and take them to unexpected places.
Wow, Janet, I can hardly keep up with the ideas you all are putting out there. Admittedly, up until now I’ve been like the farmer who wouldn’t buy a Farmer’s Almanac, saying, “I ain’t farmin’ as good as I know how to now.” But you can bet that my new business cards and bookmarks will have QR codes on them. Thanks.
You can make mini-business cards with a QR code that contains your contact info. The recipient scans your card, and all the info goes into his/her address book.
You can link to relevant audio/video resources throughout your book.
My book, Four Letter Words, is QR enabled. I tried to NOT have too many of them (1 for each chapter, and then occasional resources throughout). Some link to mp3 files, others to Samaritan’s purse, etc.
Some have found them annoying. Most have found them pretty cool. Just don’t overdo it, I suggest.
You can see them in the preview: http://amzn.to/yfGLHP