Best way to get in the door 2011

by 37 replies
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2011 will be the best year ever for offline marketers however you will need a good strategy to beat the competition.

Here is the one we will be using.

I have a lady who will be going into local businesses and offering them a free QR Code with their details embedded. You can print these up on vinyl very cheaply especially if you put lots of different ones on a sheet.

Because it is free I will also have my business name on the bottom.

This will get you past most gate keepers as you are offering a free service and also something unique. Plus you need a smart phone, droid or ipone to show how it works.

They will be blown away and most savy business owners have a smart phone these days.

Now as your putting it on the window just ask casually if their website is mobile compatible. 99% will not be and your in.

Its lead generation the new way plus you get your business name on a lot of windows.

I also have a T shirt with it on the back and front.

Whats your strategy for 2011

Quentin

#offline marketing #door
  • T-shirt is awesome.. I'm planning to visit more fair and local businesses in the area to find some projects to start with them
  • Curious how big you printing these? Thanks
  • Hey Creative Girl I do 9 to an A4 sheet and it costs me $5 to do them at the local printer on a vinyl.

    I have just learnt I can do it on my laser printer which makes them almost nothing.

    Quentin
  • Thank you. If I understand correct it's a vinyl window cling and essentially an 8-1/2x11 would work. Let's know what kind of response you get, please.
  • Thats creative.

    Remember this is not what we are selling just using it to get us in the door. We then offer to upgrade their site including making it mobile friendly. We also get our name on shop windows.

    So this is exactly what we are giving to the customer. It has their name on it and we can do tracking. We can link to google places etc but initially we just print one up for them with either their details or website before we visit.

    Its a little more effort however we are finding once on shop has it they all want it and it just puts us that bit ahead of the competition.



    Why this works is you have the QR Code and hopefully a smart phone. Scan it and show them right then and there how it works. You have instant credibility.

    Que
    • [2] replies
    • This is a wonderful ice breaker. Besides offering a mobile ready site you can offer(right then and there with a laptop) a service to set up their google places listing complete with pics and video (animto is great for cool looking slide shows), help claiming their Facebook places listing and a free seo analysis of there current website. They will be delighted to finally have someone do this for them. Give them a card when you are done and from there on out you are now the go to guy/gal for all their internet needs.
      For anyone struggling to get clients this is an amazing way to get business owners to trust and separate you from the dozens of other offliners.
      Thanks for the really great post!
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • One simple thing to do is take an existing QR Code, and add the wording and additional graphics with a photo editing tool.

      With colors, ensure that your using clearly defining dark/light colors. The closer the colors are the more errors you'll start to see.

      Most QR Code generators automatically allow for 30% errors and still be able to read the code. When I add graphics, I prefer to place them in the lower right corner of the graphic, as this reduces scan errors.
  • Thanks for the sample. It's an excellent soft sell give away.
  • Good thread Quentin...

    Here are a couple links that will help the beginner at this get started...

    First is an article from mashable/mobile explaining just what a qr code is, how to use them & how to create them....very eay to follow & understand.


    HOW TO: Create and Deploy Your Own QR Codes

    Second is the qr code generator shown in the demonstration...


    QR-Code Generator


    You can easily have a customized qr code gererator for your business for less than $100 created by outsourcers at getacoder, freelance or any of the similar sites

    Good luck,
    ~Ken
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • This is a great thread and ideas. Thank You OP and contributors.

    Look out 2011 here come the offline warriors.
  • Banned
    [DELETED]
  • The next part of the equation is tracking so you can add a complete service to your customers.

    QR Codes can be fully tracked by tracking programs or by simple Google analytics.

    As for changing the colors etc Jsamson don't touch the code. I just use Photoshop and the paint bucket to add color to different areas. You need to keep it fairly dark to retain the contrast.

    Here is a video with them being used in spa and beauty salons



    Quentin
    • [1] reply
    • Maybe its just me, but I don't see any video?

      btw - great thoughts.

      I'm seeing these now much more in our local areas (i.e., at my parent's place over the holidays, my hubby bought wine, and when he went to open it, there was a QR code on the back. He pointed it out to me as I've talked with him about this recently and he thought it was humorous.

      He tested it from his phone and it took him to a URL about the wine...

      My parents thought we were total geeks

      Amber
  • Hey Amber the video is at the bottom of the page but here is the link.

    QR Codes for spars and beauty | QR Code Marketing

    This is a great strategy as you get in the door easily promoting the code but then they need a mobile site to go with it.

    Quentin

  • Hi Quentin,

    I'm curious where your complimentary QR codes send these businesses prospects?

    Since you created the QR codes then they must send the user (their smart phone that is) to some digital location right? So if you send them to the business owners regular web site then wouldn't it be obvious to the business owner that you already know they don't have a mobile version of their website?

    And if you do send the user to the business owners regular site then when you do the demonstration for them are they still impressed when they see how it all works or do they cringe and now know how crappy their website looks on a smart phone?

    Thanks,

    Stephen
  • We make a mobile website for them.

    Quentin
    • [1] reply

    • I'm sorry, was this comment directed at me Quentin?

      I had a couple of specific questions above in post #18, but I wasn't asking if you build them mobile sites, I already assume that eventually it leads to that.

      My questions were in regards to your initial contact before you build them a site.

      1. You said you give them a complimentary QR code so where does this QR code lead the smart phone user if they scan it?

      I'm assuming it isn't to a new mobile site you created for the business owner because you said your assistant then asks them if they have a mobile website. If you had already created one for them and the QR code is sending them there then there would be no need to ask that question right?

      And the business owner would have already seen the new mobile site you created for them during the demonstration had you already made one for them before hand.

      I'm just trying to grasp the initial contact process that leads up to your getting them as purchasers of your mobile website service.

      Thanks,

      Stephen
  • Wow... This is all new to me.

    I read the link above. Is this something being used everywhere?
  • I have the same question as scdayton
    • [1] reply

    • That would be "Stephen" to you eshber!

      And to everyone else it would be "Sir Stephen". LOL :rolleyes:

      Signed,

      Sir Stephen
  • Sir Stephen

    The question about the website is not related to the mobile site. We are using the qr codes and mobile sites to get in the door.

    We got the info for the mobile site off their desktop website and upgrading them etc is what we are after.

    So the process is this in a perfect world:

    1. Approach front desk
    2. Show QR Code and Mobile Website
    3. See owner
    4 Show QR Code and Mobile Website
    5. Get the sale for the mobile website
    6. Upsell SEO, Web Refurbish etc services
    7. New Customer

    So our sales funnel is like this:

    Free QR Code
    |
    Mobile Website
    |
    Refurbish Current Website and get their hosting
    |
    Sell ongoing Blogging packages
    |
    Different products and services


    Quentin
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • I have to say this is one of the most innovative ideas I've seen in a while. Good idea Quentin, if you don't mind I might think on this one a little while and use it myself.

      Thanks buddy.

      Marcos
  • Good design I like the concept.
  • If I get this right Quentin, you build a mobile website for them BEFORE knowing if they'd take one?
  • Quentin: Thanks for much for the WSO you have been running regarding building mobile sites. I built my first mobile site in a couple hours as you instructed and will be calling on the restaurant I built it for very soon. I plan on doing a few for free (or maybe barter) to develop a small portfolio while I practice putting these things together, then going for the paid arrangement for all of them.

    Your WSO is VERY informative and was just what I needed to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. Thanks again!
  • i like the concept. But as it is now is it only limited to the states?
  • Thank you for the tips. Indeed strategies are very important partnered with hard work and dedication. By so doing, we be assure of a great result.
  • I suppose I am missing something, but what's the need for sending people to their website when they are standing right there at the store??

    Or are you banking on people walking by, seeing the QR code in the window, scanning it, viewing the website, then coming into the store?
    • [1] reply

    • Having a QR code on the window 'could' lead the passerby to coupon's or if a realtor to current listings... if a restaurant menu or special of the day many different ways to use it.
      • [1] reply
  • Quentin, nice design, I like the way you create it, so artistic.
  • We have been saying it a lot that you will start seeing them pop up everywhere so a mobile website and a QR Code are great ways to make money at the moment while the market is still quite new.

    Quentin
    • [1] reply
    • Good design i like it and like the concept.
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