Want people to be able to find, view, and record your contact information, text data, URL, a YouTube video or Slideshare document, or complete LinkedIn profile with a touch of their smart phone? Print a “QR” code (which stands for Quick Response) on your business card or other literature.

By scanning the QR code printed on the back of my new business cards with your mobile phone, you will be directed to my LinkedIn profile information. Here’s is how I am using it on the back of my new business cards:

Back of business card

(If you are viewing this on your computer, you can “scan” the image of my QR code on the computer monitor with your phone too!)

Most mobile phones now have cameras, and some phones (such as those using  Android or Nokia Symbian operating systems) have barcode scanning applications built in. There are downloadable apps for iPhone and others to easily add bar code scanning capabilities, and perhaps soon using these apps will become commonplace. QR codes have been used in fine art exhibitions as part of the art show, in tracking trade show attendance, as interpretative information aids on nature trails, and in marketing new music releases. QR codes have been placed on sales literature, street posters and even buses. The size of the QR code does not seem to matter as long as the phone can capture a clear image of it. Therefore, a postage stamp size image on the back of your business card should be just fine.

I downloaded the free app ScanIt to my iPhone to be able to read QR codes.

To create the QR code image directing people to my LinkedIn profile, I went to this site: http://pingtags.com/.

Or, create code for your v-card, a Web page, or favorite political slogan (seems to be limited to 255 characters). A Web  search for “create QR code” will bring up a number of CODE GENERATORS:

http://qrcode.kaywa.com/

http://createqrcode.appspot.com/

http://zxing.appspot.com/generator/

http://www.qurify.com/en/

Add a QR code to your marketing materials as a novel way to get people to find out more about what you have to offer.

For more information from the Japanese creator of the QR code, visit http://www.denso-wave.com/qrcode/index-e.html.