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Why QR Code Campaigns Are Failing

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Français : QR Code pour accéder au site mobile...

Français : QR Code pour accéder au site mobile de la société Distribeo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Example of QR code, highlighting func...

English: Example of QR code, highlighting functional elements. Reference. The QR code content is “MEBKM:URL:http\://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page;;”. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Wiki QR Code

English: Wiki QR Code (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Version 2 QR code example

English: Version 2 QR code example (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: The Gps Qr Code

English: The Gps Qr Code (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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failed-stamp-comp(To the tune of Margaritaville  “Some people claim that there’s a bar code to blame, but I think ….  it’s our own damn fault”)

With QR code campaigns performing poorly all over the place, marketing experts wringing their hands, clients not so enthused and consumers yawning … more than a few pundits have taken to proclaiming the QR code is dead, dying, or that the fad is over.

After spending hundreds of hours on this issue-  reviewing campaigns, discussing it with people at every level from board room to stock room (both in this industry and out), working with the technology personally, even re-reading seminal works on marketing and technology, this is what I have found:

The QR code campaigns are failing for two key reasons:

Consumers don’t scan the QR code because either the incentive isn’t compelling  – and/or –   we have failed to communicate the value of the incentive.  
Period. 

It’s not the technology (I’ll offer some arguments about that in a minute),  it is not the lack of penetration of the technology – (250 million smartphones sold in Q3 2013 –  we’ve more than reached saturation.)

It is not that the codes are ugly – although an attractive code would certainly be more FUN to scan, and fun matters!

It is first and foremost that the consumer does not see the value in scanning your code – (especially relative to other alternatives!! more about this below) 

The consumer rightly asks,  WIIFM?  (what’s in it for me?).
The “sufficiency” of the reward for scanning is determined solely by the smartphone holder,  not by the marketing company and not by the business itself.

There HAS to be some kind of gratification achieved.   Be it emotional, spiritual, financial, psychological.  stop-doing-that

At this point in the technology cycle, part of the challenge could be the need to overcome past disappointments with QR codes – maybe after scanning a QR code once, the consumer was sent to a non-mobile friendly web page (yuccch!),  or there was a whole bunch of keystrokes he was asked to do, or the font was too small to read on the smart phone (especially for the over 55 crowd like me – who make up a large chunk of the populace.)

There may be a Dopamine problem  –  Very possibly it has to be a reward that is bigger than normal.    We’ve all seen how connected some consumers are to their phones.   Go to a trade show, or a park, and there are people walking around in circles with the phone to their ear.  We’ve seen how excited and how distracted people become when texting.  It’s like an addiction.    Precisely because the phone is such a source of stimulus  – in order to “break away” from texting, Facebook, YouTube activity we need a bigger carrot – or something that will produce more dopamine –  than the average incentive.

Why it’s not the time it takes to whip out your phone, open the app and scan it.  

We do take the time to use these apps, (and many others) – and these take longer to use than a QR code reader.

Foursquare – 4.5 billion “check-ins” by tens of millions of people (source: Foursquare.com) .  The Foursquare app is not quick, it is not simple, it can and does get hung up – yet, I will spend two or three even four minutes checking in because I like getting points, badges, letting my friends know where I am or what I am doing.   I am getting a psychological reward.  

Starbucks – this is a combination loyalty app and mobile wallet.   Users get rewards – GREAT rewards – and we plan how we are going to use the free drink we get with every 15 purchases.  We order the biggest latte, or refreshing drink – the one we don;t want to spend money on.  Starbucks even lets us get a sandwich with our reward.  That is huge.   we pull out our phones, open the app, click on Pay now, hold the bar code under the scanner, etc.  this is the SAME amount of work as scanning a QR code and we are well rewarded for doing this.  Millions of us do it every day.  So it is NOT too much trouble, IF we are getting something we perceive as valuable.
plan-b
What will consumers do for the right incentives? 

Consumers will jump through flaming hoops, suffer humiliation, mosquito infested forests and eat a variety of live bugs on a reality TV show,  if properly motivated to do so.

Airline miles – arguably the number one loyalty program in the world.  It does not require time on a smartphone, but it DOES require time spent planning, coordinating, checking umpteen flight schedules, and juggling a host of other factors including airline gimmicks,  just to get a reward.   But we do it!  We invest dozens of hours coordinating trips around incentives,  getting miles and we carefully select the credit card we will put those miles on.   We spend a ton of time thinking about this and working the system to get the best rewards for us.

WHEN we are sufficiently motivated, we WILL put energy into scanning these little codes.

What marketers have to do is offer something very COMPELLING to the user to scan a code. Of course, with the QR code such tests are cheap and easy to set up and run.
We know for sure is that consumers want to do stuff.  they want to buy stuff, they want to be entertained.  They want to earn badges and get points and have fun.

What is clearly not compelling – A campaign to ask consumers to “Like” your Facebook page by scanning a QR code offers nothing in return for their time and effort.  Offering users the ability to see a video on your products.  (yawn)  Absolutely nothing compelling here.  (my kids  – ages 13 to 25 ) would never get off a text session with a friend in order to watch a boring product video – unless it was on YouTube with more than 100 million views.

What might be compelling?  Here are some suggestions – these would work for me (if I actually ate at fast food outlets – I do not. But millions do.)
For fast food places – McD, BK, Wendy’s, TB (Taco Bell)
1) Scan the code, share your email address – give us permission to gently market to you – and we will send you a free order of French fries, or a free taco, or a BOGO offer.

2) For an auto parts store looking to grow its customer base and be Liked.  Scan the code in the newspaper ad, Like Us,  and get an email back with a coupon for a free can of Marvel Mystery Oil or something equally useful, when you come into the store in the next two weeks.   THAT is incentive.  I would scan the code for a free can of oil, or some item worth a few dollars – and then bother stopping by.    My attitude is –  If you want my email address,  and you want permission to market to me – then  pay me!

The QR code IS ready to fly.  There are over 2 billion smartphones that can scan QR codes.  We just have to make them an offer they can’t refuse.

(Thanks for reading – this is part 1. Part 2 will appear next week wherein I will stick my neck out and make a specific  prediction about QR code campaigns in 2014.)

Meanwhile,  I invite you to subscribe to this publication – we respect your privacy and  do not rent or sell our email lists, ever.   Options include a choice of daily, once a week, or once a month emails.   Your reward – industry news at your fingertips each day – and free access to hundreds of case studies and resources.

This QR code campaign from Visualead is much more attractive than a plain b/w code.

Click to read about a nicely done QR campaign that respects the end user and offers an emotional reward.

  • James SimpsonJames

    James Simpson

    Biz Dev Exec LocalMobil

    QR codes are like seeing an unknown Greek alphabet or hieroglyph – until there’s something in it for you to know what it means. If you’re just looking at the scenery, why bother, but if the prospect is really interested you’d best make sure that there’s a payoff for them or you’ve wasted an incredible opportunity to connect with a future customer. I imagine an ancient stone wall with one gigantic QR code that has mobile optimized historic information for anyone willing to shoot it. So, maybe many would pass it by? My feeling is that, if the Mayans and Egyptians would have used it – and I think they may have jumped at the chance – it shouldn’t be Greek to anyone of us that want to know more. Nice examination of the issue on your link Mr. Aberle.

    Samuel B. likes this

  • Robert FirestoneRobert

    Robert Firestone

    Brand Manager at FlexKom USA

    The purpose of the QR code is to be able to transfer data. I am a Brand Manager for FlexKom. FlexKom utilizes QR codes to allow customers to put the FlexKom app on their smartphone. This is a very quick way to ‘connect’ customers and merchants. FlexKom is live in 11 countries (many in Europe) and is growing. It is expected to be in 50 countries in 2014.

    Craig Aberle likes this

  • Loren ShadeLoren

    Loren Shade

    VP Marketing at Allegro Software Development Corporation

    Most businesses often equate the ‘Value’ of the QR code as the code itself. The real ‘Value’ for the prospect that makes the effort to scan the code is what is ‘BEHIND’ the code (where does it take you). A clear and concise CTA must also accompany the ‘Value’ or many will not know what to do or how to take action to receive the ‘Value’. Also – after the prospect or customer has traveled miles (bridged the gap between physical and digital realms), most are dropped on non-mobile friendly sites or left on the home page to find their way. Bottom line – to use a QR code effectively requires much more than just creating the code.

    David V., Mike D. and 1 other like this

  • Mike DoyleMike

    Mike Doyle

    President of Certified Marketing Pros

    I whole 100% with Loren Shade. When we consult with our clients on the effectiveness of using QR codes we specifically express to our client that we need to know why their customers will scan the code, and what will it give them. The benefit to the end “code scanner”.

    Ralph Clemens M., Craig Aberle like this

  • David VernonDavid

    David Vernon

    Sales Agent / Distributor at LogoGrab

    For us, your Logo is your QR code. You can link it to email, social media, online content, coupons, websites, and much more. Try it out for free.

    Toli Cefail, Mike D. like this

  • Jason SummerfieldJason

    Jason Summerfield

    Principal & Founder at Qfuse™

    Great write-up Craig, spot-on!

    QR codes are a deceptively easy tool for marketers to use, and that’s been part of the problem. All-too-often folks just slap a QR code onto their advertisements, packaging or print collateral for the sake of it, without a larger strategy or context being in place to engage the user in a meaningful way.

    The problem with this, aside from the obvious, is that over time it desensitizes both consumers and clients to the real utility and potential of the codes as a tool for meaningful engagement. But I think that with the novelty of QR codes starting to wear off hopefully we’ll see abandonment among those who don’t want to put in the time to get it right, and those who do use them in the future will tend to have a better understanding of how to leverage QR codes properly. Consumers will catch on once they’re able to see some real-world benefits to interacting with QR codes.

    BTW, I would also suggest that this holds true for any mobile engagement tool, whether it’s QR codes, NFC tags, iBeacons, augmented reality, or whatever else comes along… If the technology is going to be successful you’ve got to give people a compelling reason to use it.

    Samuel B., Craig Aberle like this

  • Mike ConnellMike

    Mike Connell

    President at Home & Business Services Unlimited

    Well said Loren. A service like VizConnect does just that. It allows you to get video advertising from your printed media and its followed by a unique call to action page where the customer has 5 choices, including the ability to opt in to an SMS texting service, making the outreach even more effective. https://www.VizConnect.com/Mikeconnell

  • David VernonDavid

    David Vernon

    Sales Agent / Distributor at LogoGrab

    Hello Mike,
    Our LogoGrab app is able to connect 5 choices, and 3 social media choices. Instead of the QR code, we use the Logo of the company. Hope to work with VizConnect using Logos.

  • James SimpsonJames

    James Simpson

    Biz Dev Exec LocalMobil

    Checked out using a logo instead, and found the consumer had to opt in to an additional app on their phone to ‘read’ the logo…isn’t that asking a little too much? Many have to download a QR reader to begin with, which they’ll be able to use all the time with every QR…so why expect them to jump through hoops they shouldn’t have to?

  • David VernonDavid

    David Vernon

    Sales Agent / Distributor at LogoGrab

    @James Simpson, QR reader with an input combination source being able to link content to “your” links have proven to be a dying business for the past several years. Customers find it extremely hard to work with, and many still don’t know what that ugly looking code is, or how it works.

    When you explain that all of that complexity can be done within the smartphone iOS/Android scan of “Your Logo” which you are going to print onto website, billboards, and hundreds of other surfaces and media, all of our customers are saying….. now that’s cool!!! They appreciate it being done with “their logo”, and they can change all and any link as often as they wish.

    We have seen a 40% increase over the past 7 months. Major global brands are now online with us. The combination of Logo uploading and being able to control all links, SMS, email, social media links, digital online content, and websites links in a one-click call to action is loved by our customers.

  • Samuel BourySamuel

    Samuel Boury

    CEO and co-founder at Ubleam

    Logo is the key: agree! But you need an visible and exciting call to action therefore explaination on how and why scan your logo. Our vision is confirmed by brands coming from QRcode and going to fun and fast smart logo: bleam. You can use your logo and connect to billion different and reliable Augment Reality experiences. This is mobile and user centric!

  • Kevin BassettKevin

    Kevin Bassett

    Co-founder and CEO of Floodgate Communications. A Mobile Communications Strategy company.

    I agree with CA’s comments and analysis on the uptake of QRs in the market place but would like to add that until QR readers (that read all QR Codes) are Original Equipment on all new phones the uptake will continue to crawl along – as will any ‘activation code’ that requires software to be downloaded.
    Until the readers are OE i will advise my clients to always offer the alternative access options; the URL or an SMS that returns a link to the mobi.
    So, if anyone knows why QR readers aren’t OE yet please share!

    Steven S., Craig Aberle like this

  • James SimpsonJames

    James Simpson

    Biz Dev Exec LocalMobil

    OK folks, went to the Fabulous Food Show in Cleveland this weekend…saw a lot of famous chefs and some QR codes. Here’s the link of a QR code that promised “All the recipes”. Sorry I can’t paste the actual QR image here…but you all already know that they look like. (Remember to send this link to your phone and view it) Then, just try to send an email to this show from your phone using their interface….unbelievably poor example. Thousands of people attended this show and this is what their reward was for taking the time to shoot this code.
    http://www.fabulousfoodshow.com/event-information/Fabulous%20Chef%20Recipes.aspx

    Steven S., David V. like this

  • Lindsay DicksonLindsay

    Lindsay Dickson

    Senior Marketing Director & VP of Sales at GO MOBY

    There are many reasons why people say QR codes are failing. The #1 reason is many marketers don’t know what they are doing and just link it to a non mobile website or to like us on facebook or twitter. Ask yourself this? If i never did business with you why should I like you on facebook & what does that say about your business that you want me to like you even though i have never done business with you.

    Also 90% of marketers are using wordpress to develope the mobile landing pages or websites. they work on only 65 to 70% of smartphones. (POOR RETURNS) & disappointed users & the has to have its java script updated contantly.

    For an effective QR code marketing campiagn you must give a coupon or special and not ask for anything in return. Once you ask for information in order to get what ever you are going to give your opt out rate is in the 60 to 70% rate. Just like TEXT marketing. If you say you agree to recieve 5 text per month over 60% of people go no futher and hang up there phone.

    We have over 150 businesses that use are QR codes and growing. If marketers start using QR codes properly they will be just part of life. Because NFC will never take off.

    Brett Carey: Sales Expert, Steven S. like this

  • Robert FirestoneRobert

    Robert Firestone

    Brand Manager at FlexKom USA

    Kevin,

    ANY smartphone can download a FREE QR code reader from the Aoo Store or WindowsPhone

  • David VernonDavid

    David Vernon

    Sales Agent / Distributor at LogoGrab

    @Robert Firestone I think Kevin understand that any smartphone can download a free QR code reader. He is “I believe” asking why it is not OE (Original Equipment).

  • David VernonDavid

    David Vernon

    Sales Agent / Distributor at LogoGrab

    @Lindsay Dickson If you use the Logo”s” that is already printed onto billions of golf balls, you can link all of your business using your Moby Golf, directly to these links (and change as you wish for different coupons and campaigns). Just scan the Logos on the golf ball with the LogoGrab iOS/Android app.

    In regards to NFC, you may want to take a look at the billions of hotels that are using NFC to open doors on rooms globally.

    As a huge “golf” fan, I hope that we can talk about having LogoGrab being involved with Moby Golf on the scanning of Logos.

  • Robert FirestoneRobert

    Robert Firestone

    Brand Manager at FlexKom USA

    David, Kevin;

    My company does not make smartphones, but I can answer that question.

    Why provide an OE QR codereader when there are so many FREE good readers available for all smartphones. It is essentially an unnecessary business expense. The simpler answer is WHY would they? If there is no need, there is no need.

  • David VernonDavid

    David Vernon

    Sales Agent / Distributor at LogoGrab

    @Robert. The reason WHY is what Kevin is asking. WHY do not Smartphone companies have the QR code reader as Original Equipment?

  • Renee DoremusRenee

    Renee Doremus

    Business Development Account Executive at Alcom Printing

    I liked this article. A few years ago when QR codes were new, we scanned them to see what we would find and it was exciting. Now they are so common place that I need a reason to scan them. If I was going to get free stuff, I would probably scan it. Otherwise, I am just cluttering my inbox. Have to admit if they were cute it might help too. I know it makes no sense, but I would fall for it and scan one that looked like a puppy or kitten 🙂

  • Robert FirestoneRobert

    Robert Firestone

    Brand Manager at FlexKom USA

    Renee,

    How about a QR code that got you an immediate discount when you bought something and cashback in an account would be spendable at other merchants. Plus a lot of other incentives. Would that interest you?

    David V. likes this

  • David VernonDavid

    David Vernon

    Sales Agent / Distributor at LogoGrab

    At LogoGrab, we use your Logo as your QR code. Anyone that has a Logo with a puppy, kitten, or otherwise can uplaod their Logo for free and connect links to the Logo. Upload your Alcon Logo and try it out. As a printing service your customers will love it over QR codes. You can offer discounts, coupons, etc.

  • Robert FirestoneRobert

    Robert Firestone

    Brand Manager at FlexKom USA

    Kevin,

    Please see my answer proceeding your last question. If you still do not understand, let me know and I will try again.

  • Monserrate Pagan Jr.Monserrate

    Monserrate Pagan Jr.

    Apprentist at Eye of the Eagle Express

    @Firestone – now we all know cash is King and more and more stores are trying to lure customers into buying something using some sort of rebate or other incentive – now I kind of like the idea of cash back that is spend able at another merchant store – one merchant helping another. The trick here is getting compatible stores. If I purchased a TV why would I need cash back to purchase tires?

    How ever if I got some tires and got cash back to get a tune up / brake job / etc now that would be worth hitting the QR code. I like the idea

  • Robert FirestoneRobert

    Robert Firestone

    Brand Manager at FlexKom USA

    Monserrate,

    The cash back on this is equivalent to dollars and can be spent at any store that is in the system. It is a company named FlesKom and the system has been working in eleven countries for three years and is now being opened in other countries. I am a Brand Manager for FlexKom and can open the opportunity to others.

  • James SimpsonJames

    James Simpson

    Biz Dev Exec LocalMobil

    Robert,
    I can see this (QR Cash value back) idea working well at a group of stores, a mall, or a main street group of shops.

  • Craig AberleCraig

    Craig Aberle

    Owner/Publisher,Barcode.com, Pointofsale.com

    That page is a tragedy.

    Cory Zentner likes this

  • Gerry ThorleyGerry

    Gerry Thorley

    Non-Executive Director & Consultant – Media, Marketing & Consumer Engagement

    Craig here s a new QR promotion for Christmas that looks like it has been well considered from the outset. http://www.adnews.com.au/adnews/aust-post-gets-into-the-video-messages-biz

  • Lindsay DicksonLindsay

    Lindsay Dickson

    Senior Marketing Director & VP of Sales at GO MOBY

    How about this, A coupon for tires at a tire store. That would probaly work just a thought

    Cory Zentner likes this

  • Lindsay DicksonLindsay

    Lindsay Dickson

    Senior Marketing Director & VP of Sales at GO MOBY

    I will look up logograb and try it out My only thought is it is hard enough to get people to download a qr code reader you have a huge marketing campaign ahead of you.

  • Robert FirestoneRobert

    Robert Firestone

    Brand Manager at FlexKom USA

    Lindsay,

    QR readers are available for free download for any smartphon. It takes a minut or two. They work Quickly and accurately. The only people that might have trouble are those that do not understand how to use their smartphone. I do not see the problem. I know quite a few people who have smartphones and none of them had a problem downloading a QR code reader or using it to read a QR code. Age range 16 to 70.

  • Robert FirestoneRobert

    Robert Firestone

    Brand Manager at FlexKom USA

    Lindsay,

    People loose coupons. A smartphone app that gives people a discount on anything will work.

  • Monserrate Pagan Jr.Monserrate

    Monserrate Pagan Jr.

    Apprentist at Eye of the Eagle Express

    The only people that might have trouble are those that do not understand how to use their smartphone

    Or people who do do care to get the app – and at this point in time they number in the millions so now you know why QR codes are not going anywhere

  • Lindsay DicksonLindsay

    Lindsay Dickson

    Senior Marketing Director & VP of Sales at GO MOBY

    I agree but I beat the streets and I am out there selling selling and that is the number 1 objection is that many small business owners do not understand. So it is about education. As far as a coupon app you have two sales you have to sell the business on the Idea but more important you have to have consumers download it or it is worthless to the businesses. That is why you want to do a website that needes no downloading and is accessable by any device.

    David V. likes this

  • Robert FirestoneRobert

    Robert Firestone

    Brand Manager at FlexKom USA

    FlexKom is a 3 year old company that is live in 11 countries (many in Europe) and is in pre-launh in a half dozen other countries including the U.S. FlexKom has 5 million customers in Europe and growing. The customers have no problem reading the QR code from a merchants terminal to get the app (there are other ways to get the app as well) and the app has many functions. Discounts at all stores in the FlexKom system worldwide. Cashback on purchases, and many other benefits. It is growing rapidly in the countries in which it is live and is planned to be in 50 countries before the end of 2014. The merchants like it, the customers like it and the FlexKom Brand Managers who offer it to the merchants and give it away FREE to customers like it. It is working and growing rapidly hence the expansion to other countries. It is a win-win-win situation.

  • James SimpsonJames

    James Simpson

    Biz Dev Exec LocalMobil

    Lindsay, I love what you’re saying, and being out and about selling I can say it’s true about SMBs as one of their objections. However, I’ve learned that QR codes are a tool that differentiates those customers that have a “lot” of skin in the game vs. “very little”. What I mean is that the affluent/early adopter/millenial demographic – the most important future customer to every business – uses QR codes at the highest percentage. Google it and study it and you’ll see. Therefore, when I hear a QR objection from a business owner, I simply point out that putting a QR code on anything “differentiates the demographic”, bringing the best future and engaged customer to them. Those that don’t engage QR codes…URLs, paper coupons, etc., will continue to work. ONCE the QR is engaged, the business NOW has the opportunity to individually engage the best future customer who is saying “hey, i’m interested…”. Just my opinion. Now, a separate app, one that is not just a QR reader, but something new, as a requirement to get another version of a different “type” of QR reader…I see issues selling that.

    Cory Zentner likes this

  • Robert FirestoneRobert

    Robert Firestone

    Brand Manager at FlexKom USA

    Monserrate,

    Yes, they do number in the millions, but the number of people who are able to use their smartphones and do want to take advantage of what the capabilities of the smartphone are is also increasing at a phenomenal rate. In 3 years, FlexKom has 5 million customers in Europe using their smartphones to get the FlexKom app and use it. The merchants are happy as it increases their traffic in the door and the customers are happy as the receive discounts and are made aware of the ‘specials’ that THEY want to see.

  • Roosevelt GistRoosevelt

    Roosevelt Gist

    President, AutoNetwork.com

    If your CTA doesn’t answer or address the what’s in for me question you don’t stand a chance of present engagement.

  • Rich ForemanRich

    Rich Foreman

    Chief Executive Officer at Apptology

    The article makes some good points. I just like to point out that QR codes are just a tool (currently our best tool to bridge print to mobile). If you replace the title of the article to “Why Mobile Campaigns Are Failing….” It give you a different perspective. In general my feedback is that Mobile Campaigns need to be part of a bigger Marketing Campaign.

  • Robert FirestoneRobert

    Robert Firestone

    Brand Manager at FlexKom USA

    Yes many (most?) mobile campaigns are failing. But some are working and growing with customer satisfaction, merchant satisfaction and increasing profits.

  • Rich ForemanRich

    Rich Foreman

    Chief Executive Officer at Apptology

    Just like anything, it depends on execution. AW Burger’s text campaign is a good example of a great success. They were able to increase revenue by 20% with their SMS campaign.http://www.mobilecommercedaily.com/aw-burger-chain-drives-20pc-increase-in-revenue-with-mobile-coupon

    David V. likes this

  • Lindsay DicksonLindsay

    Lindsay Dickson

    Senior Marketing Director & VP of Sales at GO MOBY

    To Robert I would ask this question & I have never got an answer from anyone that sells an app except for the director of marketing for the NHL agreed with me at the last mobile seminar I was at in NYC & that is why the NHL dropped thier app. What percentage of people stop the download of your app when your ask them to turn on the GPS of their mobile device? For a pizzeria coupon or other small business it is upwards of 75 to 80% because they do not want them to be able to track their every move. What is the percentage of your app?

    Cory Zentner likes this

  • Lindsay DicksonLindsay

    Lindsay Dickson

    Senior Marketing Director & VP of Sales at GO MOBY

    Thanks James I love that and I will use that in my pitch “differentiates the demographic”,
    and good luck selling

  • Robert FirestoneRobert

    Robert Firestone

    Brand Manager at FlexKom USA

    Lindsay,

    I do not know. That is only one feature of the app. If they do not want to know about specials from the merchants they frequent, then turning off GPS is their choice. If they choose to leave the GPS on, they will NOT be bombarded with advertising from every merchant they frequent. The app gives the customer the ability to select which merchants can send them information and which categories of things from those merchant they are willing to see. If they like to receive information about time limited specials in the categories they select from the merchants they select, then they leave their GPS on so that they will only receive those if they are within a certain range of that merchant. If they never want to see any of those money saving specials, turning off their GPS only affects that single funtion of FlexKom. There is a lot more to the app that they can still utilize and benefit from.

    Have I answered your question to your satisfaction? I am not trying to be antagonistic. I am truly just attempting to answer your question.

    There are 5 million (and growing) customers in Europe in just 3 years. it would not grow like that if it didn’t benefit merchants AND customers.

  • Robert FirestoneRobert

    Robert Firestone

    Brand Manager at FlexKom USA

    Lindsay,

    I want to add something. This is For Profit company – not a spy organization. It does NOT track a customer’s every move. The GPS only comes into the picture when a merchant that the CUSTOMER has selected to receive special offers from is within a certain distance from that merchant. The CUSTOMER decides what they will and will not receive.

    If customers were being bombarded with special offers that they did not want, there wouldn’t be 5 million of them in Europe.

    Customers are more aware of what they want and what they do not want than your original question implied. They are in total control through the app and yes they will still have a huge number of features even if they turn off GPS.

  • David VernonDavid

    David Vernon

    Sales Agent / Distributor at LogoGrab

    @ Robert Firestone Could you please answer LinkedIn users as to why global postings are on Google and Yahoo saying that FlexKom is a scam and fraud? This has been asked in by a previous posting on this thread, but you never replied to that user as well. What’s up?

  • David VernonDavid

    David Vernon

    Sales Agent / Distributor at LogoGrab

    @Rich Foreman I love the A&W example. Was that an Apptology project?

  • Robert FirestoneRobert

    Robert Firestone

    Brand Manager at FlexKom USA

    David,

    I didn’t see it or I would have replied. I get over 200 emails per day and sometimes, one slips through. Sorry. Okay the SCAM claims against FlexKom. I do notknow who or exactly why they were created, but they are incorrect. FlexKom has just won an award in Dubai for the most innovative product by a world class association. This is the address for a 20 minute video taken at the delivery: http://boffice.flexkom.com/news/read/id/8/?lang=en
    and that should put an end to the scam rattling about FlexKom.

  • Craig AberleCraig

    Craig Aberle

    Owner/Publisher,Barcode.com, Pointofsale.com

    It is absolutely critical to think about the “lifetime value” of an acquired customer. In my industry I see those companies that can get regular business from a client – from repeat orders of labels, paper or ribbons – spending handily to get those prospects into the store. Giving away a free oil change, or free air filter is easy to justify when considering the lifetime value of a client. For a tire store, traditional marketing giveaways included free alignment, free balancing, free stems, etc. I know a set of tires today is easily $600 to $1,200. I also know, having owned a TBA (tires, batteries, accessories store) many years ago, that the margins are decent. Therefore, a solid giveaway for the trouble of scanning a QR code is in order.

  • Lindsay DicksonLindsay

    Lindsay Dickson

    Senior Marketing Director & VP of Sales at GO MOBY

    Criag – Bravo if you give someting of value they will scan it and scan more qr codes – If you waste their time they may never scan a qr code again. That is our biggest problem now is when marketers waste a perspective clients time with useless information or a broken link or a non mobile site ect.

    Cory Zentner likes this

  • Lindsay DicksonLindsay

    Lindsay Dickson

    Senior Marketing Director & VP of Sales at GO MOBY

    An to Robert that is the answer I was expecting. But you do have that info Just see what how many people visit you appstore page because you are driving them there, then how many download it? That won’t be exact but give a fair accesment

    Cory Zentner likes this

  • Robert FirestoneRobert

    Robert Firestone

    Brand Manager at FlexKom USA

    Lindsay,

    There is no app store for FlexKom. The app is received from the merchants (who then receive a small amount from the company for each purchase made by that app) or from a Brand Manager (who also receives a similar small amount for each purchase) or from someone who already has the app (whoever gage that ‘giver’ the app receives the small amount).

    Brand Managers give away the app for free. Merchants give away the app for free. They can each give away as many apps as they wish. Brand Managers can preload their giveaway apps with 2 flexdollars if they wish (yes it does cost the Brand Manager $2 for each of those 2 flexdollar apps).

  • Rich ForemanRich

    Rich Foreman

    Chief Executive Officer at Apptology

    David-the AW is a case study that I cite in terms of the power of mobile. In this case SMS marketing. Sadly, it’s not our project. We focus more on app development.

  • Rich ForemanRich

    Rich Foreman

    Chief Executive Officer at Apptology

    In dealing with some of our clients, many of them do not know what a QR code is and how to access it. We now suggest that in along with a QR Code, they should also include a URL and a short code. This gives user other options to access the information. I wish I could take credit for this but I saw this approach done on a Taco Bell wrapper.

  • Robert FirestoneRobert

    Robert Firestone

    Brand Manager at FlexKom USA

    Rich,

    There are FREE QR code scanners available for download for ALL smartphones. All that has to be done is to open that app and when it sees the QR code, it will capture it. It really is that simple.

  • Cory ZentnerCory

    Cory Zentner

    Marketing Manager at Rosenfield Restaurants

    In my experience with QR codes, there are just to many moving parts in adding QR codes to a campaign. Sure the idea behind it is good, but ask any teen or tween. No one downloads QR scanners any more, they take up room on your phone, and well they suck. Until a phone comes equipped with a scanner program (with easy access) no matter how you change your QR campaign, it still will not work.

    You want success go text….

    Rick R., David V. like this

  • Robert FirestoneRobert

    Robert Firestone

    Brand Manager at FlexKom USA

    Cory,

    The app for QR scanning and FlexKom are both very small. If your phone can’t hold them, you have too many toys on your phone. Teens and tweens do download them. they are some of the most knowledgeable people regarding QR codes because they have an open mind and want to learn. If it is free, they download it and try it.

  • Robert FirestoneRobert

    Robert Firestone

    Brand Manager at FlexKom USA

    Cory,

    An additional item. The QR code from the merchant or the Brand Manager can be sent via NFC or scanning and the Brand Manager can sned it via SMS. Once the app is in the phone, it will do the QR scanning for FlexKom issues.

  • David VernonDavid

    David Vernon

    Sales Agent / Distributor at LogoGrab

    @ Robert Firestone Your not talking to people that don’t know what QR code is and how to download it for free, and all of the other great things about QR code. The subject of this thread is “why QR code campaigns are failing”.

    Cory Zentner likes this

  • Robert FirestoneRobert

    Robert Firestone

    Brand Manager at FlexKom USA

    David,

    But this one is NOT failing. And that is what I was asked about.

 

– See more at: http://barcode.com/201311011565/why-qr-code-campaigns-are-failing.html?sthash_ar3SuS0J_mjjo=&goback=%2Egmp_62503%2Egde_62503_member_5802474661686038528#%21

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