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How to convince people they need QR codes, mobile sites, now.

by AshleyPS
15 replies
Hi there,

I'm having a bit of trouble convincing business owners of the use of QR codes a mobile optimised site etc. right now.

All the business owners I speak to are impressed by the technology but none of them seem to want to go ahead and actually use my services.

They seem to think it's just a fad or that it doesn't apply to their business.

Even though I give them all kinds of ideas on how it can help them get more customers.

I read posts on this forum about people being amazed at being shown QR codes and mobile optimised sites.... but that isn't my experience.

I'm based in London, UK. Are people just more cynical here?
#codes #convince #mobile #people #sites
  • Profile picture of the author Steve Wise
    Lol, I think you could be right. I've only just got into offline consulting and the impression I get is that in the UK we are certainly behind the US when it comes to Internet Marketing
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    • Profile picture of the author AshleyPS
      Originally Posted by Steve Wise View Post

      Yes they are
      Any ideas on how we can overcome this?

      I mostly meet business owners at networking events. It's funny, the ask me to e-mail them but then never reply.

      I send them free e-book guides to qr codes and mobile marketing and I don't even get a thank you.

      How can I approach this in a different way to get some sales?
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      • Profile picture of the author omurchu
        Ashley:

        I usually start by asking a business owner if they know how much traffic they are getting to their site. Usually they will say: "Don't know"

        This leads to a discussion on using analytics to track the metrics esp. visitor numbers, keywords etc.

        Then I always mention that you can also see how many people are accessing the site through mobile devices. then go on to give actual % figures for a site that you have data on. So a site I did for a paving company is getting 8% traffic from iPhones etc. If your client is a restaurant, bar, nightclub or the like esp. if the town gets lots of visitors, then explain they probably get 20%,30% or 40% traffic on smartphones. If so then they are probably losing this amount of business...

        Then show them their site on a smartphone - if they are not interested then leave it there. they might just call you up at a later date

        Frank
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        • Profile picture of the author AshleyPS
          Originally Posted by omurchu View Post

          Ashley:

          I usually start by asking a business owner if they know how much traffic they are getting to their site. Usually they will say: "Don't know"

          This leads to a discussion on using analytics to track the metrics esp. visitor numbers, keywords etc.

          Then I always mention that you can also see how many people are accessing the site through mobile devices. then go on to give actual % figures for a site that you have data on. So a site I did for a paving company is getting 8% traffic from iPhones etc. If your client is a restaurant, bar, nightclub or the like esp. if the town gets lots of visitors, then explain they probably get 20%,30% or 40% traffic on smartphones. If so then they are probably losing this amount of business...

          Then show them their site on a smartphone - if they are not interested then leave it there. they might just call you up at a later date

          Frank
          Sounds like a good plan. I usually start with asking them how they usually get new customers... but this seems better focused.
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        • Profile picture of the author Creativegirl
          Originally Posted by omurchu View Post

          Ashley:

          I usually start by asking a business owner if they know how much traffic they are getting to their site. Usually they will say: "Don't know"

          This leads to a discussion on using analytics to track the metrics esp. visitor numbers, keywords etc.

          Then I always mention that you can also see how many people are accessing the site through mobile devices. then go on to give actual % figures for a site that you have data on. So a site I did for a paving company is getting 8% traffic from iPhones etc. If your client is a restaurant, bar, nightclub or the like esp. if the town gets lots of visitors, then explain they probably get 20%,30% or 40% traffic on smartphones. If so then they are probably losing this amount of business...

          Then show them their site on a smartphone - if they are not interested then leave it there. they might just call you up at a later date

          Frank
          Just curious, what city or state the paving company is in? That's a good stat for comparison.
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Steve Wise View Post

      Lol, I think you could be right. I've only just got into offline consulting and the impression I get is that in the UK we are certainly behind the US when it comes to Internet Marketing
      I don't know ... my first two mobile site customers are from the UK. I don't market offline. I market to those who market offline. I'd rather design than market to offline companies, but I used to a long time ago and found it to be difficult convincing people they needed my services ... and this was resume writing during a recession .... lol.

      Pretty much why I'd rather do the work and leave the offline marketing to others.
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  • Profile picture of the author scarab
    I think the most important thing is to show them the value of having mobile integrated into their business. I know that sometimes that is hard for some salespeople and techies to do but I see that as the stumbling block and leaves the prospect with the 'let me think about it' attitude.

    On the other hand some business people are like rocks. They will never understand.

    Hope this helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author MaxReferrals
    Try showing them what their competitors are doing.

    It's a bit of research and work, but if you're tuned in to your local market it shouldn't take that long to pull together samples/examples of what they are doing.

    It may immediately close sales for you, but it will certainly make your discussions more compelling and possibly persuasive.

    Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author opencreativs
    cool idea by omurchu.. I`m new to offline marketing.. want to advertise my web designing business.. I`m from india, any idea targeting to me?
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  • Profile picture of the author webapex
    Raise local consciousness by doing your own self promotion campaign with mystery QR Codes places at major intersections. Could be a sales site link, or a text message word game that sends a player to a series of locations, tie it into some local charity event and you might get some press, (hopefully no illegal posting fines)

    Compile all the relevant demographic stats: income levels of smart phone owners, number of QR reader downloads, penetration stats for 'more advanced' countries, a scrapbook of QR code examples can be helpful, it's surprising how many are popping up when they are on your mind.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mel White
    I suspect they won't "get" it until they see folks using it -- AND that will also require them having a phone which can read them. My phone can't, for instance.

    Best tactic might be to approach businesses that are catering to the younger crowd and ask if you can leave a flyer there with the QR code (perhaps one leading to a coupon website for them.)
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael William
    A long time ago when I was promoting an MLM, one of the training tapes (remember cassette tapes?) by Jim Rohn emphasized ONE technique over all else: testimonials. You have to give your prospects testimonials from others who have benefited from mobile technology. If you don't have any yourself then use big names like Pizza hut, Dominos, etc.

    Lately I have been using a report I wrote that I send to prospects. In it I tell the how they can use mobile sites, SMS, and QR codes, but I don't get real technical. Mostly I gave actual examples of how it worked for other merchants... and their results. That is what sells.
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    • Profile picture of the author escribe
      My suggestion is if you're at a networking event or meeting with the person show them the mobile marketing in action.

      Have them instantly get their free report right there. That will help to convince them. Then you follow that by explaining how much power this could have in their marketing etc.

      Sometimes they need to see it to understand the true benefits.
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  • Profile picture of the author salmakhan
    collect some data about those successful businesses that used the QR Codes and mobile site and tell them how they are making their business profitable by doing advertisement on most advanced forums and also mobile website are frequently open as day by day number of people using mobile internet increasing
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  • Profile picture of the author Mary Wilhite
    To direct customers to a specific content . create a QR Code that provides all contact info to the scanner. Or, configure a code to launch a YouTube video.
    QR Codes can save time because people won’t have to remember a domain name or re-enter information into their smartphone. The ability to snap a picture on-the-go means people can later recall – and even look up – information on that particular business.

    QR Codes can also connect smartphones to wireless devices.
    Maybe these tactics can be used to convince.
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