Musician Specific QR Codes

ShareSquare isn't just another company blooming in the wake of the QR Code phenomenon.

I hope that you're not a QR Code naysayer - the statistics show that the understanding and use of them is exploding.

Every musician needs to use them where appropriate.

What I like about ShareSquare is that they are focused on musicians and artists and their system isn't just a QR code creator - it also has a CMS (content management system) that allows you to create a mobile optimised HTML5 app.

That means that you can link the QR code to something specifically designed to show your content on a mobile and get your fans to take a specific action. You also get amazing tracking info and very customisable apps.

There's a free trial that might well be worth giving a go but then the lowest price is $99 per month so it is not for all. The free trial has to be worth a go when you have a big gig coming up though!

That said, you can learn a HUGE amount about music marketing on mobiles and with QR codes just by reading all their tutorial info here.

QR Codes Primer

QR Code use is really taking off.

Don't know what a QR code is? It's those square odd looking boxes of pixels that you see on posters, packaging - all over the place now. It stands for 'Quick Response' code and once scanned with a scanner on a smartphone it will transmit information or open a webpage.

Powerful stuff and, despite some naysayers, the recognition and use of QR codes is growing exponentially.

I think they are now something that every musician should be using to send fans to their website, to a mailing list sign-up form, to run a special competition etc.

This post from Aweber has a great basic guide.

Through the magic of QR codes, consumers can interact with your brand in unexpected places. Mobile web means they can explore your content away from their home computer.

That’s why QR codes make the most sense in print – on billboards, stickers, fliers, signs, business cards, in magazines, anywhere people might see them on the go. The point is to drive them to your mobile site to make a purchase, join your mailing list, download a coupon, find out more about your business or something else that makes their interaction with you easy and enjoyable.

Read it here.

As a bit of inspiration, look at this very clever Christmas promotion that JC Penney are using - a customer records a personal message to the person they are giving a gift to and they can scan it and hear the message as they open the gift.

Imagine doing that with a personal message from the band as a tier offer on your fan funding project for your next album.

Phygital Qr Codes

I'm a big fan of QR codes and I really think that they will become increasingly widespread.

We like to make one, create a poster with a simple and obvious call to action (e.g. 'Scan the QR code to sign up to XXXXX mailing list and get a free EP straight to your phone' or similar) and post it at gigs with the link being straight to the sign-up form on the artist's site.

Works a treat!

I saw this company's QR codes as a result of @Buzzsonic posting a link to their greetings cards - which are great.

But, I love their 'phygital' codes such as the one above for the Shazam app, where they manipulate the code using images rather than the standard black and white - which I think makes a big difference and entices people to scan the code.

Plus they look cooler.

Check out Stupid Creative and their phygital QR Codes here.

Old school street promotion meets new school tech

I just came across this great post on Independent Rockstar that encourages us not to forget that people (i.e. potential fans) see real world promotional efforts all around them all the time, yet too many musicians have forsaken it completely in favour of online music promotion.

It's a great point.

The piece itself is about flyering for your gigs, but this kind of street promotion can also be used for general awareness.

Read the piece here.

When teemed with a QR code on your flyer or poster - as this post from Live Unsigned suggests, you can marry the best of the new school techniques (sending a potential fan to your site to get a free music taster or to buy a ticket - right on their phone) with the old school in-venue / record store/ rehearsal space/ boutique flyer methods.

Give it a go.

Read the Live Unsigned piece here.

Indie Label Market - and QR cupcakes

I had hoped to go to the Indie Label Market in London last week, but my son's Birthday party intervened!

So, I was glad to see this review on the Entertainment Retailer's blog which explains the event, but also has one cracking idea that I think bands could use at gigs anytime, anywhere.

But then something happens. People start turning up. In droves. The next minute Jarvis Cocker is DJing on the Rough Trade stall. Oh, look, there’s Steve Lamacq. And Bernard Butler. And lots and lots of people.

 

Mute have lifted Record Store Day’s “indie cupcake” idea, but they’ve gone one better. Each cake has a little flag in it with a “QR” code. Just snap it with the camera and you get a free download.

 

Being Mute, these are not just cupcakes, these are conceptual cupcakes, a statement on the value of music in the digital age: Cupcakes £1.50, Music free, reads the sign.

 

There’s a palpable enthusiasm in the air.

The sun is shining. It is like a school fete. But the coolest one you’ve ever been to.

Read about the event here.

And, you can see what the idea is - QR codes on cupcakes. You buy the cake and eat it but the QR code gives you a free download. You could tie this up with pretty much anything. I love the idea of selling cakes (or other suitable food at your gig) rather than the music itself, but leaving your fans safe in the knowledge that they can download the music as well.

You could link the QR code to a page on your site where the buyers have to give their email address to get the download, thereby adding everyone to a 'buyers list' - that being the most responsive list of fans that you have.

In the UK, this company can make you QR cupcakes - Google will find you someone to do the same wherever you live.

But, if not cakes, how about selling artwork with a QR code and linking it to a download. Look at this piece to see how much QR codes can be tarted up - they don't have to be Black and White.

And, in fact, Mute's cakes didn't have the code on the cake but in a little flag. How about making full-size flags with QR codes. I remember a few years ago as Kasabian were breaking in the UK, every festival you went to had hordes of Kasabian flags. People notice flags!

QR codes - I'm really getting into these. You should too.