Since QR codes are a hot trend in mobile marketing, they are well-suited for use in a mobile-based sweepstakes. Both marketers and customers appreciate the many advantages of these unique codes: according to surveys, 32% of smartphone users are scanning QR codes while an estimated 70% are interested in the idea of doing so.

QR codes can be used for all kinds of promotional offers and appear to be particularly well-suited for driving engagement when it comes to entering into sweepstakes. They can be used regardless of whether you have an online or offline sweepstakes campaign, and they provide the exposure needed for the sweepstakes to have enough participants to capture a significant portion of the targeted audience.

In essence, QR codes provide the best of two worlds, combining advertising with an interactive user experience. Moreover, it is much more effective to socially engage the mobile phone user through participation in a sweepstakes than it is to merely offer him or her information about a new product or service.

Where To Direct Users

How do you get individuals to want to learn more about your sweepstakes? After much testing, experienced marketers have found that the best method is to actually drive traffic to a Facebook page, where they can “like” your Facebook video about the sweepstakes.

The easier the process is of entering a sweepstakes, the better the chances are of having a large number of entrants. For this reason, the description in the Facebook video should be simple, with an easy-to-follow call to action.

Response rates tend to be higher when using an established social community such as Facebook as your platform, because people like to comment about their enthusiasm for winning the prize. Conversely, if people are simply sent to the website, they often only read the information without taking action on it right away. Instead, although they may intend to return when they have more time, many get distracted and forget about the sweepstakes. If you start by sending them to a Facebook page, you will be able to stay in touch with them and build up interest.

Unfortunately, most companies fail to understand the value of sending people to a social media platform and instead send them to a website. According to Social Wayne’s info graphic,  62% of companies sent users to a website, while only 8% directed them to a social page where they were invited to share their interests. Often people are less interested in what a company has to say about its sweepstakes and more interested in learning how other people are hoping to enter it, or what they are saying about it.

Create Enticing Descriptions about the QR Codes

The biggest challenge for a marketer is getting people to scan the code in the first place. After they scan the code, the marketing funnel usually results in high conversions. The major challenge, then, is how to persuade people to begin the scanning process. For this reason, the description around the QR code should make promises or statements that engage and foster consumer curiosity.

A marketer must also carefully consider exactly where to place the QR codes. Some of the best places are on one-time offer pages and on “thank you” pages that load after a consumer has just made a purchase.

Conclusion

Announcing sweepstakes through mobile marketing can be very effective when combined with the strategic use of QR codes. For competent assistance in understanding how using QR Codes can help maximize the effectiveness of your promotion, contact our experts.