As many of you know, I’m a big advocate of technology. I’m also an early-adopter. For Next Generation Chiropractor readers, both work toward your benefit.
How?
Well, I research, test, and report on what’s happening within the world of technology — more specifically, within social media and internet marketing.
So, the advantage is in your court. By reading Next Generation Chiropractor, you get up-to-date information that can benefit your chiropractic practice immediately without spending a dime.
One example is by integrating QR codes within your marketing campaigns.
Now, I can already hear the question, “What are QR codes?”
So, before I discuss how to use them, allow me to give you a simple definition as well as a little background on their use.
According to Wikipedia, QR Codes are defined as follows:
A QR Code is a matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code), readable by QR scanners, mobiles phones with camera, and smartphones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on white background. The information encoded can be text, URL or other data.
Common in Japan, where it was created by Japanese corporation Denso-Wave in 1994, the QR code is one of the most popular types of two-dimensional barcodes. QR is the initialism of Quick Response, as the creator intended the code to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed.
Just for kicks, I created a QR Code for Next Generation Chiropractor. Matter of fact, the image you see in today’s post is the QR Code for Next Generation Chiropractor.
If you have a QR Reader, simply scan the above QR Code and Next Generation Chiropractor will load within your smartphone’s web browser.
Pretty neat, huh? I thought so!
Currently my favorite QR Code reader is ScanLife. They offer a QR Code reader for most phone manufacturers. To see if your phone can use their app, click HERE.
But, where do QR Codes fit within a chiropractor’s marketing strategy?
Well, the quick answer is EVERYWHERE!
By using free Internet-based tools, you can quickly generate a QR Code for your website, phone number, or SMS.
How?
By using the free QR-Code Generator.
Once you’ve generated the code, either use the generated image on whatever marketing piece is associated with the information or simply copy and paste the HTML code within your chiropractic website or blog. It really is that simple!
If you want to get even more creative, then check out either iCandy or stickybits. Both have their strengths and weaknesses but both offer a plethora of ways to market your chiropractic practice through their innovative offerings.
For example, stickybits offers multiple ways to attach the QR Code to physical marketing pieces like postcards, business cards, birthday cards, et cetera … whereas iCandy allows you to track the analytics of each QR Code for better ROI evaluation.
For a brief video introduction to stickybits watch the following video:
All-in-all, QR Codes are not only an unique way to market your chiropractic practice but also are becoming more mainstream as smartphones dominate the mobile market.
So, the next time you sit down for your weekly staff meeting, why not shake things up by bringing QR Codes into your chiropractic marketing strategy?
Question: Are you currently using QR Codes to market your chiropractic practice? If so, what strategies do you use?
Let us know in the {comments} section below.
About Dr. Patrick MacNamara
QR site has some interesting studies done with with these 2D codes. I am still processing how chiropractic practice, which is local based, can use this QR generated code for the practice. Few untested but possibly ok ideas for QR code:
1. Google maps creates this code automatically for anyone who has free business profile (here is a link to my code http://bit.ly/cLCCrn). I think this is pretty interesting. When I have scanned it with my Iphone QRReader it brought me to my Google Map Local Listing in mobile version with basic info: Address, Phone #, URL to my site, my picture, coupon and reviews. looked very clean and very porfessional.
2. Many people are tired to look at regular business cards or they just don’t pay attention to them at all. With this code I will try to print business card just with the code and message – “Use QRReader on your smart phone for our Free Special Offer – or any message you like. One can also add a phone number on a card but it will defeat the purpose. Smart phone market is growing with incredible speed. Every time you go to a new coffee shop or places where people leave their business cards you should leave your QRcards. You never know what kind of result it will bring.
3. I also see many people leave their QR code as their profile picture on many forums. It is another way to introduce this new technology in to your practice.
4. Twitter – use it in your background Image Profile – that is the next thing I will do personally
5. Facebook – use in your business pictures or perhaps there is a better place. I am still learning my way aroun FB.
6. YouTube – same as Twitter
7. LinkedIn – eveyone is given three url options that will take a visitor to whatever URL you will point to. With “OTHER” option you can call one of the QR Code – Scan It. You never know how many eyeballs it will bring to your site.
Ok, I think I am done. Any other Ideas are greatly appreciated.
All excellent examples, Dr. Burt! And, that was precisely my point in this post. The sky is the limit on how creative chiropractors can get with QR Codes. They can literally be used on every piece of marketing both online and off.
Matter of fact, as I was driving through Starbucks today, I noticed a white commercial pickup truck that had a magnetic QR Code attached to the side panel of both doors. No business name, no phone number, just a huge QR Code for all to see.
Now the average cat on the street isn’t going to know what it is or how to use it yet since the United States is just now catching on compared to Europe. However, as more people become aware of them and their purposes, I believe they’ll be plastered everywhere.
For additional information and resources, I HIGHLY recommend QReateBuzz.com. It’s a great site with valuable tools built into their services that can point chiropractors in the right direction on how to capitalize on QR Codes within their marketing endeavors.
Thanks again for contributing to this post. I greatly appreciate the conversation!
I like the line they use for QR code
“Start online conversation in the offline world.”
Ordered my new cards with my Google QR code. Let’s see what happens.