Smart ways authors can use QR codes
Have a question you’d like answered? Email me: katie@designforauthors.com
A photo of QR codes used in Molly Baz’s cookbook “Cook This Book.” | Photo by Katie Bolin
One exciting new-ish piece of technology that’s hit the culture is the QR code.
What is a QR Code?
A QR code is a type of matrix barcode you can scan using your smartphone camera.
All you have to do is open your smartphone camera, point it at the QR code, and wait for a link to pop up on your screen.
Simply click on the link to visit the website or content embedded in the QR code.
Here’s an example of the pop-up link generated by a QR code. | Photo: Katie Bolin
Who uses QR codes?
Everyone! Authors, artists, small businesses, big businesses, ad agencies, marketers, etc. all use QR codes to provide customers and fans an easy link to websites, menus, PDFs, videos, and more.
Everyone from customers and fans to small businesses and marketers benefit from the mainstream acceptance of this easy-to-use technology.
What can you promote with QR codes?
You can link to a number of different files, web pages, downloads, and more using a QR code. Here are a few of the most common uses:
Website links
App downloads
MP3s
Videos
PDFs
Maps & directions
Contact information
Restaurant menus
Social media profiles
Coupons
Cashless payments
Phone calls
Messaging apps
How to use QR codes in your book
There are so many creative and strategic ways you can use QR codes in your book—the possibilities are endless and exciting.
Share videos
Molly Baz uses QR codes to share cooking technique videos with readers who are in the beginning of their cooking journey.
When you scan the first QR code on her recipe, it takes you to a video that shows you how to correctly slice citrus segments for this recipe.
To watch the video behind this cookbook QR code, I opened my iPhone camera, pointed it at the code, and then clicked on the link that popped up. | Photo: Katie Bolin
Share bonus content
Authors can really get creative with additional or bonus content offered to readers throughout their books. Not only does this offer readers a little something exciting and unexpected, it also helps you strengthen the special connection you have with your fanbase.
EXAMPLES
Link to expanded character bios
Link to a geographical map
Link to an exclusive character essay or diary entry
Link to a photo album or bonus illustrations
Link to a blog post or article (most relevant for business and nonfiction authors)
Encourage mailing list signups
Just like every business and startup on the internet, your mailing list is one of your most valuable and important assets as an author.
Encourage readers to join your mailing list for additional content and updates with a QR code and call-to-action within the final pages of your book.
Link to a promo code for other books in your series
If you sell books directly to readers on your site, you can offer a promo code for a discount on the other books in your series, encouraging more sales and reader loyalty.
Share social media accounts
You can easily display a code in your book that sends fans directly to your social media pages.
Print materials at book signings and events
Add a QR code to your event flyer for easy ticket purchasing, book sales, social signups, and more.
How to make a QR code
There are plenty of sites that offer free and paid subscriptions to generate QR codes for you. Here are a few free QR code generators I tested and found to be easy to use—without requiring a credit card or free trial period.
I used QRCode Monkey to create this free QR code that takes you to my Design for Authors homepage—give it a try: