Vice President Elect K-12
It is show time! The school year is in full swing and it is time to get the word out about the productions that showcase your students and their amazing talents. I am an old school gal who still loves poster boards, hand painted banners and the idea of people wearing sandwich boards, calling out like barkers, inviting the public in to enjoy the entertainment inside of the theatre. However, I embrace the change technology offers for advertising and I have quickly learned to embrace the speed and effectiveness of technology to get patrons in the seats. Scrolling marquee announcements, websites, video, and social media are amazing tools to inform your community about the special events your students are producing. This year, I am thrilled to try a new approach to advertising and communication with our patrons called QR codes. Budget cuts have forced us all to look at costs and paper poster and program production is not only costly but seems to fly in the face of the green initiatives sponsored by our school. I am hopeful that by using QR codes to link my programs and posters, I can save our department money and save some trees. As patrons enter the theatre they can scan the code on the wall and instantly have a copy of the poster and program transferred to their smartphone. Parents wishing to have a hard copy for scrapbooks can then print from their phone or follow the link to the department website where a copy is also available. No more sad programs left behind on the floor or large printing bills…. Happy student activity account, happy trees!
What’s a QR Code? –or, Is she taking about that blurry box thing on my Sonic cup?
Like you, I have noticed the increase use of that blurry box thing, Quick Response codes, or QR codes for short, in advertising. These codes seem to be everywhere. Whether it is at the supermarket, department store or even your Sonic cup, you have probably seen a QR code. These codes have been used for a few years now to provide rapid access to URLs, messages or even contact information. Marketing and advertising departments have embraced QR codes because with a simple smart phone scan, advertising related to their product can be delivered straight to your thumbs. I was curious about these codes and if it was possible to get a code for my department or for a specific show. I was excited to find out that acquiring a code is easy and FREE. You can generate your very own codes to link patrons to your season, a calendar of events, a specific show program, video footage, websites, etc. Of course, your patrons will need a smartphone with a QR reader to enjoy your own creations. Scanning apps are free in the app store on your smart phone. There are plenty of scanning apps out there, but at the moment I’m using RedLaser for my iPhone. It is also fully Android compatible too.
So how do I generate a code?
There are plenty of good, free QR generators out there with some offering more advanced options than others. Between them, the following four manage to cover most bases, including contact cards, URLs, text messages and even access to wireless networks (including security codes):
- Kaywa.com QR Generator
- GoQR.me
- Zxing Project QR Generator
- Delivr.com QR Codes
So I have a code, what now?
The possibilities for QR code usage are endless. Once you develop the code, you can copy and paste it anywhere. You can blow it up or reduce it in size and it still works when scanned. Before posting information to link to a code make sure you speak with your school district about policies regarding the distribution of information in digital form. Some districts do not allow the use of individual student photos or last names and you want to make sure you are in compliance with school policy. Once you are cleared to proceed, you may explore some of the following ideas to get the word out about your shows or your department.
From Business Cards to T-Shirts: Reduce the size of the code and print them on business cards so someone can scan the card to be taken to your website or a video greeting. With a scan all of the information stored on your paper business card is transferred to a digital device – effortlessly. This could also work for show posters or season announcements. Post the code at the box office. Patrons can then scan the code for rehearsal footage, programs, director’s commentary, or dramaturgical research for the production. All of the information is sent directly to their phone. Expand the size of the code and print it on your next show shirt. QR codes are on everything from jewelry to scarves to t-shirts these days and getting your own t-shirt printed with the code on the back is easy. As long as you don’t mind having your back scanned regularly, QR might be a fun and an effective tool to get more information out to your community. Keep the old school tools like posters and even sandwich boards. Print the code and paste it there too. QR codes are an excellent way to get your message out there. Many people who know what QR codes are for will probably scan them out of pure curiosity and if that means just one more person knows about the great things your students are doing then I say QR codes are an advertising game changer and worth looking at the next time you explore options for communication.