This weekend I visited Dave and Buster's with a group of friends. There, I noticed how they were using QR codes to engage their customers while visiting. 

I found a QR codes to scan throughout the menu. One QR code's call to action was "Scan here to tell us what our next great cocktail should be!" This was a great way to engage customers and find out what they really want. 

I even found them on acrade games! After I was done playing, a screen with a QR code popped up and asked "Share your High Score!" I thought is was awesome! The way they are incorporating mobile for their customers is great! It really allows their customers to interact and share what they are doing at Dave and Buster's. This allows for current customers to become advocates of the brand for FREE!  

I think Dave and Buster's has done a great job of using QR codes to better business. I can't wait to see what they come up with next.

Recently, I came across the new app, Postagram, that allows you to send real postcards from your mobile device. Postagram is bringing back the personal touch that "snail mail" provided. 
The App sends a real postcard with a pop-out photo of your choice. You can write a 140 character message and send it to anywhere around the world. 

I recently downloaded the app and loved it! The FREE Download also came with 5 FREE postcards (normally 99 cents each)! I thought this was a great way to use digital photos for other than just Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

The process was as easy as loading a picture to Instagram or Facebook. 1) type in the address 2) pick a photo 3) write a message 4) send it on its way. 

I recently sent one to a friend in California. She absolutely loved it and thought it was great that she was able to just pop-out the picture and have it as a keepsake. 

Postagram found a unique way to use all the digital photos that we take on a regular basis. It's a great way to provide added value for customers. They not only get to send a great postcard to someone they love, but they are also giving the little gift of an actual picture that the receiver can keep.

Scan the QR code to download Postagram on your phone today! 

Photos from postagramapp.com

I found this great article from SquareCode.biz about how a bakery placed QR codes directly on its cookies. Thought this was very cool! 

The online bakery, 1-800 Bakery.com, found a new and interesting way to use QR codes. The bakery launched a line of edible codes customers could both scan and eat. The line consisted of a variety of cookies and cakes with the QR codes printed on them. 1-800 Bakery.com was successful in its efforts, as they received a 40% scan rate the day they launched. 

I thought this was the perfect way for 1-800 Bakery.com to use QR codes for its company. It differentiated themselves from all the other QR code campaigns out there. When people go to eat a cookie, they are not expecting an added interactive experience. 

I think that this marketing campaign could have been even better if they would have had more call to actions than just "SCAN... to view our website." As suggested in the article, 1-800 Bakery.com should have had more clear call to actions. 

• Scan for an exclusive offer on birthday cakes!
  
• Scan to see our new cookie bouquet!
• Scan for a $5 coupon for next visit

These would have given the customer a reason to scan and the opportunities to increase consumer conversion and cross-sell would have multiplied. Otherwise, 1-800 Bakery.com did a great job of using QR codes to their advantage. I think other companies will be looking to use QR codes in similar ways to create customer engagement like 1-800 Bakery.com did. 


Photo from: www.squarecode.biz