How to Use Mobile 2D Bar Codes to Increase Event Participation

Those funny looking squares made up of black and- 2D calls to action can be quickly implemented
white images are starting to pop up everywhere - on- once a user had downloaded the application to their
signs, in newspapers and magazines. Sometimesdevice the call to action is literally one click away,
described as QR (quick response), Aztec and 2D (twowithout complex instructions and possible misspelled
dimensional bar codes), these images are used tokeywords that can detrimentally affect a text
encase hidden information that is readable by amessaging marketing campaign
scanner, or more commonly by a smartphone with a- depending on the application the solution may be less
camera and image recognition software.expensive that the total costs associated for a text
Benefits of using a 2D bar code is that such are amessaging shortcode campaign
quick and easy way to let the mobile device bring- users can insert their age, gender and postal code
linked information back to the user. Electronic ticketinginto the application when they first download it so as to
and couponing are key applications of the technology,provide rich reporting on demographic data points in
which extends into areas such as viral marketing andaddition to time of use, device type and carrier
location-based services. Notably, the process is a- flexibility in routing reply responses to mobile websites,
"green" process. In this way 2D bar codes canclick to call, IVR etc.
leverage the mobile phone's display to eliminate theThese 2D bar codes are therefore useful to provide
paper associated with tickets, passes and coupons.information quickly and conveniently. Event participation
Barcode delivery programs and applications deliver acould be increased through use of 2D bar codes at
2D bar code that adapts itself to a user's mobileevent points of interest, on billboards, signs and
handset. Common lined bar code interpretation onagendas, all to involve the attendee in the experience -
mobile phones suffered from scale issues wherewith the coincidental benefit of the event organization
different sized phone displays would resize lined barthereafter being able to initiate a 2 way conversation
codes outside of accepted tolerances. In addition,with that mobile user. Essentially, a 2D bar code
mobile phone displays that reflected scanner laser lightprogram provides a simple interface to initiate
were said to reduce readability. As a result, traditionalmessages and/or conversations at events, which
bar codes have not been utilized effectively ormessages and conversations can contain rich content
commonly for mobile delivery of encapsulatesfor user engagement and involvement, at the time of
information.the event and potentially on an ongoing basis.
Additional benefits of using 2D barcodes include: