You may have been seeing these wacky-looking little images popping up everywhere. If you don’t know what they are, they are called QR Codes. Simply put, a QR Code is an image one can scan with their smartphone that directs the phone for a number of different purposes. Some of these directions can be:
- Go to a website (URL), Facebook page, Twitter profile, YouTube video, etc.
- Add information to your contact list
- Dial a phone number
- Send a text
- Add an event to your calendar
- So forth and so on
They are free to create and two of my personal favorite services to create them are:
- Kaywa QR Code - Great straight forward service to quickly and easily create a QR code
- QRStuff.com – Another great service which also has partnerships to order merchandise with QR Codes printed on them
- Using Google’s URL shortener. If use use this service, simply click the “Details” link next the the link towards the bottom of the screen and it will automatically generate a QR code graphic on screen. You’ll also notice that it gives you reporting when you return to the screen later.
The codes are graphic files that can be used on just about anything. They can be inserted into print materials, signs, on screen, marketing merchandise, washable tattoos, so forth an so on. One company even offers to print them on chocolate (Chocolate Graphics)!
Sounds great, right? Now you are probably wondering how these could be implemented and be worthwhile for your Catholic Parish. Great question, and here’s just 5 ways you could use these:
- Make that bulletin interactive!
- If you look in your weekly bulletin it’s filled with events and dates. A QR Code inserted into the announcement can allow the reader to scan and add the event to their calendar in their phone.
- Maybe your event requires someone to email someone for an RSVP, a QR Code initiating that email would be great.
- You provide more information about the announcement on your website, a QR Code can direct the reader right to the page on your website
- Promoting parish social media or new programs. If your trying to promote that new Facebook page or Online Giving program, a QR Code which directs people directly to those places can be an added bonus.
- Parish website. I’m a big fan of promoting Catholic apps on the parish website. Where do we get apps? On our phones or iPod Touches. Say, The New Mass App by Cale Clarke. So QR Codes which direct the user to the app in the app store makes it easy and quick for them. A QR Code to add the parish contact information to one’s phone is another great use.
- Added value for advertisers. Businesses are finding real value in QR Codes. How about if the advertising those businesses are paying for at the back of the bulletin have QR Codes that directs to where ever they wish (i.e. contact information, wesbite, facebook page, coupon offer, etc.).
- Any print or promotional material (Chocolates, t-shirts, etc.) your are handing out that you want to offer the recipient more information online or add the event to their calendar.
This list could obviously be a lot longer. This is an area you can get creative and have a lot of fun.
If your parish is already using QR Codes, how so? What’s been the response? What questions do you have about QR codes?
