Have you started to notice black and white squares on advertising, in magazines, on business cards or on yard signs? Created in Japan in 1994, Best Buy, Ralph Lauren, and movie advertising are using QR codes to connect with customers. Find out how to generate a QR Code, download the QR Code on your smartphone and then read the information. In this Updated Field Guide, learn about QR (Quick Response) codes, why they are a new form of mobile advertising, and how they can be used to market and sell real estate. (A. Siudzinski, Senior Library Information Specialist)

Featured Information Area

Source:Using QR codes to market real estate, (YouTube, Feb. 13, 2011).

Introduction to QR Codes

QR Code, (Wikipedia, Jan. 28, 2012).

What is a QR Code, (Ohio Real Estate Guys, Jan. 12, 2012).

QR Codes and why you need to be using them now, (Winston Bromley, Jan. 4, 2012).

Q&A: Make a quick QR Code, (The New York Times, Mar. 1, 2011).

3 best practices for generating reliable QR codes, (Jeff Korhan, Aug. 7, 2011).

QR Codes and Real Estate

Use real estate QR codes to boost website traffic, (Real Inventive, Jan. 20, 2012).

How to market your small business with QR codes, (RealTown, Jan. 19, 2012).

The 5 rules of QR codes, (RISMedia, Dec. 11, 2011).

More real estate agents using QR codes to share information, (Southeast Missourian, Aug. 15, 2011).

Real estate world taking to QR codes, (Denver Business Journal, June 10, 2011).

How are you using QR codes?, (REALTOR® Magazine, Apr. 2011).

The QR code solution for real estate (and more) is here, (MayaReGuru, Mar. 18, 2011).

The truth about QR codes, (RISMedia, Feb. 8, 2011).

QR Code Readers, Generators and Reviews

BeeTag, (www.beetag.com, 2012).

QR Stuff, (QR Stuff, 2012).

App Review: QR code readers, (minilistings.com, June 23, 2011).

QR code readers for iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Windows 7 Phone 7, (708media.com, Dec. 6, 2010).

Best QR code readers, (jpbuzz.com, Oct. 27, 2010).

QR Reader for iPhone, (iTunes, May 2, 2010).

Best QR Readers, (cellphone-barcode.com, n.d.).

Kaywa, (qrcode.kaywa.com, n.d.).

The Kaywa generator, (kaywa.com, n.d.).

The Kaywa reader, (kaywa.com, n.d.).

QR jumps, (QR Jumps, n.d.).

QuickMark QR Code Reader, (AppBrain, n.d.).

Quickqr, (Quickqr, n.d.).

Research on Your Own

Information Savvy!

Many websites, such as Wikipedia, can be great resources to quickly get oriented on a subject before conducting more in depth research. However, anyone in the world can create and maintain a website or write a seemingly legitimate article and may, intentionally or unintentionally, publish false or “misinformation.” When reviewing information on the Internet, you should always consider the ABC’s:

• Accuracy. Is the information accurate? Can you confirm the same information using other resources published by a different author or organization?
• Author. Who composed the information? Can you easily identify the author and contact the author or website publisher?
• Bias. What bias might the author or author organization have?
• Credibility. What is the author’s or author organization’s credentials for publishing the information? What expertise, experience, or education does the author have in this area that makes him or her qualified to write on the subject matter?
• Currency. When was the web page last updated? Is it possible the information might have changed since this web page was last published?
• Critical eye! Remember to always use your discretion and critical eye to determine whether information you find on the web (or even in books and news sources!) is trustworthy. Putting websites to the ABC test will get you started in developing a strong critical eye.

eBooks & Other Resources

EBOOKS.REALTOR.ORG

The following ebooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:

301 Ways to Use Social Media to Boost Your Marketing (Adobe eReader)

Managing Brand You (Kindle, Adobe eReader)

The Marketing Plan (Kindle, Adobe eReader)

The Marketing Plan Handbook (Kindle, Adobe eReader)

The New Handshake (Kindle, Adobe eReader)

The New Rules of Marketing and PR (Adobe eReader)

Social Media Marketing for Dummies (Kindle, Adobe eReader)

Social Media for Business (Adobe eReader)

FIELD GUIDES & MORE
These Field Guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:

InfoCentral Blog

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The inclusion of links on this Field Guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked to this Field Guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.