For tech-savvy newsrooms motivated by all things new and cool, QR codes are a hot topic. Even Jimmy Fallon has used them to promote his guests. And although they’ve been around for a while now, how best to incorporate QR Codes into the daily news process is still a mystery. Here are a few ideas to help you sort it out:
1. Direct Viewers from Your Broadcast to Your Web site
Check out WKBN in Youngstown, OH…. They’re incorporating QR codes into their lower-third supers to promote their niche sites MyValleySports.com, MyValleyWeather.com and MyValleyDining.com.
They encourage viewers to scan the QR code right off the television. The code will send you to the station’s web site. The station is also using them in what they call “Text Book Weather.” It’s a booklet they hand out to kids in classrooms. Not sure if the kiddos are using smart phones to look up QR codes…but it’s a nice thought.
2. Ask the Audience
WPTV recently ran a poll of its Facebook Fans to find out how many people know what a QR code is and have ever used one:
They got more than 80 comments. And even got a few decent ideas on how viewers would like the station to use the QR codes:
And of course…as with any good Facebook poll, there were a few not-so-good ideas as well:
If you’re looking for more inspiration… check out 39 Ways Newspapers Can Use QR Codes and Five Ways Journalists Can Use QR Codes.