14 Minute Marketing Idea

In homage to 7 minute abs of There’s Something About Mary fame (if you haven’t seen it, there’s a video clip at the bottom, NSFW at the very end), I’m taking the 15 Minute Marketing Idea from the PADI Instructor News site and sharing a couple more ideas regarding QR codes, specifically their usage with Google Local Places. In 14 Minutes. If you aren’t completely satisfied, I’ll send you one more minute of work with QR codes.

This tip shouldn’t take you 14 minutes unless you enjoy playing with technology like I do.

What’s a QR Code?

I first mentioned QR codes briefly when I discussed Google’s failed attempt to buy Yelp. As Wikipedia explains QR Codes, they are:

… a matrix code (or two-dimensional bar code) created by Japanese corporation Denso-Wave in 1994. The “QR” is derived from “Quick Response”, as the creator intended the code to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed.

Although initially used for tracking parts in vehicle manufacturing, QR Codes are now used in a much broader context, including both commercial tracking applications and convenience-oriented applications aimed at mobile phone users (known as mobile tagging).

Is This Really Important?

Today, maybe not so much. I live in tech-savvy Portland, frequent tech-savvy businesses and read tech-savvy publications and I still rarely see these. But if Google likes them, you can be sure they’ll become more prevalent.

If you have a tech-savvy (read: smartphone carrying) staff or client base, it wouldn’t hurt to start using QR Codes now. If you like to be an early adopter, this is your new toy.

Your 14 Minute Task

Go to the Google Local Business Center and create a profile for your business. They will walk you through the process of claiming your business. Eventually, you’ll have a Google Places Page for your SCUBA business.

(Here’s the 7 Minute Abs video clip I promised, remember the end is NSFW)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vntyaIWlbmQ

Are you using QR codes for your SCUBA Business?

Similar Posts

  • Getting Hacked Happens

    Being hacked is not fun, but for many is inevitable, even for us web developers. Use strong/unique passwords and always make a backup (or ten).

  • Turning Twitter Data into Decision Making Information

    Do you know just how powerful Twitter really is? I found it difficult to believe that the marketing machine known as PADI isn’t giving dive retailers and professionals the best recommendations for using social media. At DEMA, PADI was there giving a presentation on marketing with social media. So let me show you how you can start utilizing Twitter to it’s fullest potential.

  • Attracting the next generation of divers

    Our industry is old and getting older. That’s not a good thing. According to DEMA’s Annual Activity Report (PDF link, stats on p. 37), the average age of SCUBA divers in the US is 45 years old. Several people at the DEMA show explained that age actually goes up every year, showing that our industry…

  • PADI Member Forum 2010 Review

    After attending the 2010 Portland PADI Member Forum, we look back on the content, presenter, PADI and the local crowd. Bottom line: make sure you attend yours.

  • It's 2 AM, Do You Know Where Your SCUBA Customers Are?

    According to a study by Forrester Consulting, “Only 32 percent of marketers know how customers behave across channels and only 37 percent know what channels their customers prefer to use.” Some other interesting tidbits from the study: 92% of online consumers have opted-in for email marketing, making it the most popular channel for permission-based promotional…

  • DEMA Asks For Help (But Will They Accept It?)

    The DEMA 2020 Vision Brainstorming Session in Long Beach, California was an opportunity for DEMA to learn from industry members. Only time will tell if they implement any of the ideas the groups presented.