Microsoft Tags & QR Codes

Bridging the Gap Between Print and Digital Media

Microsoft® Tags & QR Codes can take your print-based marketing materials to the digital dimension. With the ability to transform print media from a static to an interactive marketing tool, Microsoft® Tags & QR Codes connect customers to videos or mobile web sites that provide up-to-date information about your business, including: coupons, sales, daily specials, events, breaking news, tips, and more. By digitally infusing your print-based marketing materials with Microsoft® Tags, you will always have room to tell your story.

How does this magic happen? Using smart phones and the free tag or code reader app, customers are instantly linked to detailed information about your business. Even better, this information is stored in their phones for future reference. To take advantage of the technology, smart phone users download the free app. Then, simply snap a photo of the Microsoft® Tag (see examples below) or QR Code anywhere they see it: on print ads, signs, flyers, brochures, business cards, etc. The tag technology is accessible to over 80 million smartphones in the U.S., including Blackberry, iPhone, and Android.

To spur your imagination, here are some industry-specific applications:

Real Estate

The art of selling homes is about to receive a real boost. With Microsoft® Tags & QR Codes, home buyers will have instant access to property videos, photos, MLS information, and more. When tags are used, home buyers benefit.

Newspaper and Magazine Ads – Before calling a real estate agent, home buyers can get detailed information on properties that meet their needs.
Yardsigns - Get instant mobile access to virtual tours and detailed property information while in front of the property. Home buyers do not have to wait for an open house or realtor appointment to get their “first impression” of the property.
Property Information Flyers, Post Cards - Grab a flyer, then save and share in-depth details about properties. When touring 10, 20 or even 30 properties, saved tag links can be a home buyer's “digital assistant” in narrowing the field.

Banks and Mortgage Companies

Microsoft® Tags & QR Codes can be used on print materials to give customers up-to-date information regarding interest rates and new financial products. By updating one mobile web page, you can be assured that all your print marketing materials will always reflect the most accurate information.

Service Industries

In addition to print advertising, Microsoft® Tags & QR Codes can be placed on service vehicles and lawn signs. Show your potential clients what sets you apart by linking tags can to informational videos, detailed service offerings, photo galleries, coupons, and video testimonials.

Manufacturing Industries

Include Microsoft® Tags or QR Codes on product labels and in print advertising. These tags can link to all relevant consumer-related information, including: user manuals, product warranties, video demonstrations, customer support, safety/health protocols, product testimonials, special sales, and coupons.

Business Expos and Trade Shows

Instead of distributing detailed literature at trade shows and business expos, exhibitors can go green by using tags to link potential customers to online brochures. Organizers can use tags on print materials to link attendees to schedules, program information, exhibit hall maps, exhibitor lists, and speaker bios. With Microsoft® Tags & QR Codes, last minute changes go from being a logistical nightmare to a minor inconvenience.

Restaurants

Give customers direct access to daily specials, events, and coupons by putting Microsoft® Tags or QR Codes in advertisements, brochures, signage, placemats, and business cards. In the time it takes to write your specials on a white board, you can update a mobile webpage for the whole community to see.

Brick & Mortar Retail Establishments

Placing Microsoft® Tags or QR Codes on signage, in-store displays, shelf-tags, and product catalogs provide customers with the same detailed product information, product reviews, and coupons that they can get online, but in a mobile-friendly format. Customers can save interesting information or share it with friends.

Art Galleries and Museums

When used on signage and print marketing materials, Microsoft® Tags & QR Codes provide additional information about the artist, the story behind the artwork, photos of art collections, and videos. Microsoft® Tags can provide visitors with their own guided tour – answering many questions before they are even asked.

Performance Venues:

Use Microsoft® Tags or QR Codes on flyers and advertisements to link consumers to performer bios, sample song tracks, performance videos, schedules, and ticket information. Give your audience of taste of what they will experience, even before the show starts.

Event Calendars

With Microsoft® Tags & QR Codes, your event calendar will never be out of date. Instead of committing your event calendar to print (and worrying about last minute changes), connect to your online calendar with tags. Customers will have access to event videos, programs, schedules, ticket information, and much more.

Videos

You don’t have to connect your tag with a mobile website – it can go directly to video! Whether it be a YouTube video or a professional marketing commercial, you can tell your story to potential customers. To give a few examples, consider linking tags to property videos, “how to” videos, performance videos, event videos, and product testimonials.

This is only the tip of the digital iceberg - the possibilities are endless! If you need help navigating this exciting technology, contact us!

Sample Microsoft Tags

After you've downloaded the application, you can scan any of the tags below to see the results on your smartphone. If you have not yet loaded the application, you can click the links shown to see the content in a wide-screen view.

Realtor
Color and Black/White Tags for Property with a Street Address and a link to other listings for this realtor
Link