A number of years ago, many businesses put QR codes on their brochures or used it in other ways. The issue with QR codes back then, is that they were used the wrong way. With this I mean that in the majority of cases, they redirected to a non-mobile friendly homepage of a website. As non-mobile optimised websites are basically unreadable on mobile phones, most people were put off using them.

In other countries such as the US however, QR codes are used for retail coupons (Americans loooooove coupons!)

Last week, I attended a workshop by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) about research conducted on the  Chinese FIT traveller. I learned to my surprise that Chinese are big users of QR codes and this offers some great opportunities to provide them with relevant information. How cool is that!

Chinese don’t like to see big signs in their own language while they’re visiting other countries on holiday. They want an authentic experience. I don’t blame them; I am the same. If I go on holiday to a country with a different language (which is most countries as I am Dutch), I do not want to see Dutch signs or brochures! I want to immerse myself in the local culture.
Of course there is often a language barrier, but there are subtler ways to provide Chinese with information in Mandarin. Through QR codes!

For example, instead of giving them a menu in a restaurant in Chinese, just have a QR code at the bottom indicating that the menu can be seen in Mandarin by scanning the QR code.
Oh, and free Wifi is a must too to enable your customers to use QR codes easily.

So, the QR code is back!

Below are a few links to previous tips I’ve written about QR Codes in the last few years!
How to create a QR code: http://www.marketingwhizz.com/weekly-marketing-tip/how-to-create-a-qr-code
Are QR codes dead? http://www.marketingwhizz.com/weekly-marketing-tip/are-qr-codes-dead

Have a great rest of your week! 
Marijke

OK, this may sound really straight forward and simple (and it is!), but you'll be surprised how many people don't have an automatic email signature.

An automatic email signature is easily created in your email package (outlook, gmail, apple mail, yahoo mail etc.) Once you've done this, every time you create a new email or reply to one, all your contact details are already there.

An email signature looks professional and makes it easy for people to contact you, whether by phone, mail, or click on your website, Facebook or other link.

So, to start with the basics, ensure your email signature includes:

• Your first and last name,
• Job title
• Company
• Address (physical and postal or just postal, whatever applies)
• Phone number
• Mobile number
• Fax number
• Email address
• Website address
• Social media links
• Logo

Ensure you use your corporate colours and fonts to ensure consistent branding.

I have found a cool FREE email signature generator. Click here to go to it!

Do you want to know how to insert an automatic signature into Outlook? Click here to learn how to do this!

NOTE: There are a few places left for the Tourism Marketing Bootcamp on 25 May 2016 in Queenstown. Go to www.smartraining.co.nz for more info! 50% funding available for qualifying businesses!

Have a good rest of your week!
Kind regards, Marijke