You’ve probably encountered one already. Maybe you’ve even tried to snap a photo of one with your mobile phone. We’re talking about those square matrix QR (Quick Response) Codes that have become recently ubiquitous. Sure, you can stick them in your windows, on your direct mail or even your business cards, but it’s important to know where your prospects are going once they take the time to act.

Having a QR Code is one thing, but having a proper landing page to where your code directs is another. A landing page is a unique page on your website that typically has a single purpose, like capturing an e-mail address or selling a product. In the case of a prospect scanning a QR Code, the landing page should be associated with the marketing you’re doing where your prospect discovered your QR Code. Take a look at how to get the most of your QR Codes by creating great landing pages that go with them.

Keep it Simple
Your initial reaction is going to want to fit as much information on this page as you can, but too much information can be overwhelming. It’s important to keep it as simple as you can while still getting your point across. Remember, you want to keep your marketing focused to the campaign you’re running.

Make it Engaging
You only have a few seconds to get your visitors’ attention. Consider making a video or place a striking image of the product you’re trying to sell. Keep the copy simple and interesting. Make sure the visitor understands specifically what they should do while they’re on your landing page.

Call for One Call-to-Action
You got a visitor to your landing page; you want them to act on a specific promotion. Stick to one central call-to-action on your landing page, especially if you’re directing them there from a QR Code. You’ll want to make it a simple a form, with as little work for the visitor as possible to capture your lead. Make sure the button you want the prospect to click is of high contrast to the rest of the elements on the site so it stands out. Having more than one call-to-action can confuse your visitors and cause them to leave your website.

Now what? It’s possible you’re having a giveaway, trying to get registrations for an event or just trying to build awareness for your organization. With a good landing page you’ve given your visitors a reason to act on the marketing you’re doing. Having these visitors to your page means you ended up obtaining information about your prospects. So, now it’s time for you to act.

Every day you go to your mailbox to see it you have mail. As you hover over the trashcan to sort, how do you decide what piece you’ll read and what piece will fall through your hands to its demise? While direct mail is an effective tool in your marketing campaign, there are some easy ways to foil your efforts. Here are a few tips to keep your mail out of the recycle bin.

Wrong Audience
First, you must understand your target audience. Second, you must find a way to obtain their mailing address. If you’re planning to purchase a list, look to your current customers as a source for demographic and psychographic information. Current customers are also more likely to respond to direct mail, so consider a campaign for repeat business.

No Call To Action
The whole purpose of direct mail is to get people to do something. For businesses, that usually means purchasing something from you. It’s important that you have a clear call to action and that the offer is compelling. Make an offer they can’t refuse and the response rate will raise.

Poor Design
The quickest way to get a person to look at your direct mail is by having a clean design. Conversely, the quickest way to get them to toss it is to have a design with no purpose. Here is where you want to call in the professionals who can create the perfect piece for your needs.

Tracking Results
How will you know whether your direct mail campaign was successful unless you include a way to track it? Include a special promotional code or make customers bring in the direct mail piece. It is important to know if you got a good ROI to determine if you want to mail again or make adjustments.

 

Whether you know it or not, your buying decisions are oftentimes based on color. The next time you’re looking at an advertisement or packaging for an item you’re considering, pay special attention to the colors you see. Observe how those colors make you feel. Once you understand the effects of color on buying habits, you can make marketing decisions based on that knowledge.

Shoppers put visual appearance and color above other factors when considering a purchase. According to research compiled by KISSmetrics, 85 percent of shoppers said color was a primary reason they made a buying decision. Additionally, 80 percent said that color increases brand recognition. Brand recognition improves consumer confidence. Before you make the next color choice for your brand, consider this:

Red
Think of a clearance sale and you’ll be seeing red. There’s probably a good reason as red creates a sense of urgency. Red is the color energy and is known to raise your heart rate. Red usually draws attention first.

Black
Black is the color of power, luxury, elegance and authority. Now you know why so many luxury items have black in their marketing. However, black is also associated with death and evil and can evoke strong emotions, so beware of how black will relate to your products.

Green
The color of money, green is associated with wealth. It’s also easy on the eyes and often used as a relaxing color in stores. Light green shows change while dark green shows balance.

Blue
Blue is a color you can trust, so it’s often used in banking and business. Blue causes the body to produce chemicals that are calming. It is also associated with wisdom and loyalty. However, too much blue can make a message cold and uncaring.

Orange
If you have a call to action, orange creates the need to subscribe or buy. Orange is another energy color associated with happiness and ambition.

Yellow
Stop those window shoppers with yellow. It causes your body to release the feel-good chemical, serotonin. Yellow is associated with happiness, laughter and creativity.

Purple
Purple is the color of sophistication and prosperity. It is often associated with royalty. Purple can increase brain activity that helps with problem solving.