How to Make a QR Code in 5 Easy Steps From restaurant menus to bathroom stall doors, you can find QR codes just about anywhere these days. In fact, they've become so ever-present that 45% of shoppers used marketing-related QR codes in 2021. There's no denying the popularity and convenience of the QR code. But, what exactly is it and how can you create one for your next marketing campaign? Keep reading to learn the magic behind QR codes and how to create your own. QR codes typically look like this: Not every QR code is shaped like a perfect square. Sometimes they have unique patterns, colors, and logos displayed inside. You'll find them in non-digital spaces like direct mail, signage, billboards, and even TV shows where you can scan the code on the screen using your phone. Both barcodes and QR codes can be scanned using a laser or a smartphone as long as the tool being used has the correct capabilities of reading vertical and horizontal data. Although most smartphones scan QR codes automatically, many won't scan barcodes so easily — you'll need a special app for that. Does the rise of QR codes mean traditional barcodes are a thing of the past? Of course not. Traditional barcodes are still a common way for businesses to identify consumer packaged goods (CPGs) and manage their product inventory. Image Source Image Source However, there are several differences between barcodes and QR codes — both...

How to Identify a Brand Character for Your Company When it comes to branding, one of the most important aspects is creating a brand character. This is the personality that represents your company. It can be helpful to think of this as an actor who plays your company's role in all marketing materials and communications. But how do you identify what this character should be? And once you've identified it, how do you design it? In this article, we'll explore these questions and provide some examples of well-designed brand characters. What is a brand character? A brand character is the personality of your company. It's how you want people to perceive your business, and it should be reflected in everything from your marketing materials to the way you answer customer service calls. Your brand character should be consistent across all channels and unique to your company. It's important to avoid generic characters, as these will be forgettable. A bland brand character won't help you stand out from the competition. Think of your brand character as the actor who plays the role of your company. They should be able to embody all the values and attributes that you want people to associate with your business. Brand Character Examples Brand characters are not a one-size-fits-all marketing tool. You can choose cartoon characters, anthropomorphized animals or objects, or even fictional people. If you’re stumped on where to start, we’ve pulled a variety of brand characters to get your creativity flowing. 1. Flo...

Visual Identity Systems: What They Are & Why They Matter When we build a brand, we build an experience that reflects a purpose. Visual identity is a huge part of this brand experience. Colors, graphics, and fonts turn brand concepts into visual identities that can be recognized. Once a brand is established, it needs to become a recognizable identity that the external world can perceive. This recognition comes with consistency, and achieving that consistency requires a strong visual identity system. To create a visual identity system, you need all the visual elements that the brand has. The visual identity system’s basics are a strong brand guide and its implementation tasks. The ultimate goal of this system is to turn all the brand assets into principles that all the content team can follow to make sure that the online presence is aligned with the original brand concept. Visual Identity System Benefits A visual identity system is a way to make things easier, help people achieve a manageable and effective workload, and avoid mistakes. These mistakes can take place when there is no clear guidance about how to achieve excellent work results. Putting systems in place turns complex processes into easy-to-understand steps that increase efficiency. An effective visual identity system will help an organization: Improve the outcome of their content creation process. Avoid mistakes related to misunderstanding what the brand entails. Make collaboration between teams easy. Create complex strategies with a strong foundation that...

12 Unique Ways to Generate Leads With QR Codes If you watched the 2022 Super Bowl, you might have been one of the millions of people who scanned the QR code featured in the ad from cryptocurrency platform Coinbase.  When scanning the code, you were sent to a page that offered you $15 just for downloading and signing up for Coinbase. The 1-minute Coinbase ad slot, which showed the QR code floating around the screen and inching closer to lining up with the corner of the screen perfectly, was so successful that the Coinbase app and website completely crashed. Here's a look at what HubSpot blogger Pamela Bump saw just seconds after the commercial finished. Coinbase honored its $15 signup promise by emailing scanners who were impacted by the crash the next morning. And, ultimately, the company ran into -- what we call -- "a good problem to have" due to what we can assume was millions of signups. But, you don't have to spend millions on a Super Bowl ad to launch a success QR campaign that drives leads.  All you need is a mobile-optimized website and a QR code. I took a deep dive into QR codes and how brands can effectively drive leads with them.  Who uses QR codes? anyone with a mobile phone. In addition to our keys and wallet, our phone is one of the few things we can’t leave the house without....

How to Come Up With a Brand Name Coming up with a brand name is one of the most important steps in starting a business. A well-thought-out name can propel your company forward, and the wrong name can become a marketing nightmare. Where would Amazon be today if it stuck with its original name, Cadabra? Oftentimes, founders think they know what makes a good brand name. But choosing a vague reference or visionary ideal (like Cadabra) for a name can confuse customers. Naming a brand isn't as simple as creating a made-up word or picking a name that looks great on paper. Fortunately, setting up a brand naming process can ensure your name is relevant, memorable, and meaningful. It helps you select a name that catches people's attention and is easy to remember, which makes marketing, sales, and brand awareness that much simpler. To help your business become a household name, we'll explore how to come up with a brand name, cover brand naming guidelines, outline a brand naming process, and share examples of how popular companies decided on their brand names. What Makes a Good Brand Name A good brand name is a blend of creativity and strategy. It highlights your company's mission, vision, and values while showing off personality and creativity. Josh Reeves, the CEO of Gusto, put it best when describing how his team came up with the company's name. "Choosing your name…will power everything else forward – the visual design, the way you message...

What is a QR Code + How Does It Work? Everything Marketers Should Know I'll never forget the first time dining at a restaurant after my pandemic-induced hibernation. Before I could ask for a menu, the waitress nodded towards a piece of paper with a barcode on it. "Open your phone camera and scan it. The menu should pop up." QR codes have become a common sight almost overnight — from cereal boxes and billboards to even employee uniforms. With a 94% increase in interactions from 2018 to 2020, there's no denying QR codes are seeing an epic revival in a new touch-free world. Let's explore the origins of the QR code, learn how it works, and discuss ways it can refresh your marketing strategy. Table of Contents What is a QR code? Static vs. Dynamic QR Codes How do QR codes work? The Origins of the QR Code QR Codes for Marketing What is a QR code? Short for quick response, QR codes are scannable barcodes that store data. In the marketing sphere, they're commonly used to redirect users to landing pages, websites, social media profiles, or store coupons. For instance, someone can place a QR code on the back of their business card to direct you to their LinkedIn profile. A QR code on a billboard may send you to a landing page. QR codes vary in design and function, and primarily fall into one of the...

12 of the Most Inventive Interactive Marketing Examples We've Ever Seen If you really think about it, the content formats we rely on today have an uncanny resemblance to the content formats we relied on yesterday — our blog posts look like print articles, our offers look like books, and our slide decks look like look presentations. Relying on the content formats we used yesterday to educate and entertain our audience today is fine: Our audience is ultimately used to these mediums. At the same time, “fine” is not exceptional, and we’ve missed a huge opportunity to engage them at record levels because we glossed over the fact that screens and computers are so much more than just digital pieces of paper and printing presses. Fortunately, the interactive marketing movement is charging along, and their early adopters have proven that if marketers want to cut through the noise, they can’t just do what they've always been doing. They need to refresh their work. Common Types of Interactive Marketing Strategies Interactive videos: Using video is a great way to explain a topic or entertain viewers. Savvy marketers have found new ways to engage viewers by adding CTAs in videos prompting them to subscribe or participate in the conversation in real time. Some videos allow viewers to answer questions by clicking a set of multiple choice answers right on the screen. Other formats immerse the viewer in beautiful landscapes, which is becoming more popular as the use...

3 Tips to Create a Brand Archetype for Your Business When I start a TV show, I immediately try to identify each archetype. Who's the protagonist? Who's the villain? Who's the unsung hero saving the day at the last minute? Sometimes, it's clear from the very beginning and others, you can't tell until the very last scene. The point is that these archetypes are universally known personas that are used to tell a story. They help us as viewers understand what's going on and help us get emotionally invested in the characters. In real life, brands use archetypes to shape their narrative. Let's cover the 12 brand archetypes, how to define yours, and review some examples from popular brands today. The archetype model is credited to Author and Thought Leader Carol S. Pearson, who outlined the 12 archetypes in her book "Awakening the Heroes Within." An archetype is more than just a persona or character – it's tied to a larger theme, concept, or emotion that transcends time and culture. For instance, everyone, regardless of culture or generation, can identify with the concept of a hero. Brands like Nike embody that archetype because it tells a scalable and sustainable story, tapping into human nature. It's easy to confuse a brand archetype with a brand identity. While the two may seem similar in concept, their compositions are completely different. Your brand identity is a holistic view of how your brand presents itself to the world, from logos and colors...

15 Businesses to Admire for Stellar Branding Consistency When searching for a soul mate, you look for someone that's smart, funny, caring, but above all — consistent. Because if you're going to invest your life in a person, you want someone you can trust, right? Falling in love with a brand isn't all that different. Brands pull us in with witty slogans and timely discounts, but that’s not the only reason we stick around. Think about it, inbound marketing is all about content and communication that people love. The key to being your leads' and customers’ soul mate, then, is providing brand consistency they can count on. But how? What’s at the heart of brand consistency is your message, and marketing plays a huge role in that. In this post, we’ll dive into what branding consistency is, its importance, benefits, and share 15 businesses that have done a stellar job showing it. The Importance of Branding Consistency Branding consistency sets the stage for a business to gain and maintain credibility and trust. You have to position your brand and its content in a way that appeals to its target audience and carry that same messaging over time. After all, your customers are putting their trust in you, and like any relationship, you want the foundation to be dependable and consistent. So, not only is this concept important in business strategy, but the benefits speak for themselves. Benefits of Brand Consistency Maintain customer expectations. When...

14 Examples of Experiential Marketing Campaigns That'll Give You Serious Event Envy Work events are really hit or miss. Let's be honest: How many times have you found yourself anxiously fidgeting with a paper napkin in the corner of a stuffy networking happy hour? Here's the thing: It's not the event itself that prevents you from coming back the following year. It's the experience you remember having. In this blog post, we'll look at some of the best experiences brands have ever offered their customers. I have a big problem with generic trade shows and industry conferences. That's why I was not only relieved, but surprised and delighted, when I attended a holiday party that featured a live, interactive version of an arcade game. An entire room had been curated to look like a video game setting, and people were dressed up as characters from it. There was a giant, real-life scoreboard, boppy electronic music, and best of all, there was no tedious small talk. It wasn't just another tired work event ... it was an experience. And in our line of work, that sort of thing has a name: experiential marketing. While a surprising number of people haven't heard of the concept, it's kind of a big deal -- there's an entire three-day summit dedicated to it, and 65% of brands that use it say that it positively correlates with sales. But what is it, exactly? And how has it been used effectively? We found 14 of the coolest...