8 Ways Music Venues Can Use QR Codes
Key Takeaways
- Live entertainment venues can make use of QR codes in many different ways
- QR codes can benefit organizers, performers, and patrons alike
Contrary to popular belief, live shows are more popular than ever right now, with more and more people each year buying tickets to see their favorite acts in person. Live events can create unique experiences that can’t be replicated on screen or though an app and make for memories that last a lifetime.
But these acts need to perform somewhere, and those live music venues have a lot of things to worry about even before the act steps on stage. Luckily, clever use of QR codes can help to alleviate much of the stress and provide guests, employees, and collaborators with an easy way to access a variety of precious resources.
In this piece I will go over 8 different ways music and live entertainment venues can use QR codes to enhance the experience. I will also show you how to make your own codes with QR Code Developer and share helpful tips and tricks for getting the most out of your codes.
So let’s get the show on the road!
What is a QR code?
A QR code is a type of encoded image containing data that can be scanned by a smart device, like a phone or a tablet, in order to access a variety of online and digital content. This includes web addresses, social media pages, images, text documents, contact information, and much more.
In the real world, QR codes exist as simple 2D images, so they can be placed anywhere you could print and display a picture, like on cards, posters, flyers, various forms of advertisements, and signs. QR codes are easy to make, through a service like QR Code Developer, can be customized to fit your needs, and are widely understood by the general public.
How can QR codes be used in music venues?
Music and live show venues can make clever use of QR code in many different ways. They allow for an easy and hands free way to share various forms of digital and online content, allowing more people to view and interact with your location.
Here are just a few ways live show venues can use QR codes:
Official website
If your location has an online presence, you want to make it known and accessible to your audience. That’s why making a QR code linking to your official site would be wise to make and print on various forms of advertising. This way your audience and potential collaborators can see what you’re all about, and if your location would be a good fit for them.
Social media
Expanding on the previous point, QR codes can be made for just about any social media page, including Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, TikTok, and more. This will also increase awareness and interaction with your audience, providing another avenue for advertising.
Parking
Parking passes and registration can also be handled almost entirely through QR codes. There are plenty of services out there that can help you set this up and reduce the everpresent annoyance of parking for a show.
Ticketing
Similar to parking, ticketing for events can be handled almost entirely with QR codes, which can be made either by yourself or through a larger ticketing company.
Individual group promotion
If you have an upcoming group or performer that you want to get the word out about, then you can print out posters or flyers with their social media linked to them and put them up throughout the venue. Additionally, groups and performers can also make codes for your location and place them on their own forms of advertising, creating a symbiotic relationship between the two and allowing for guests to easily find where their favorite groups are performing and get tickets right away.
Staff and owner contact info
QR codes can be made for various forms of contact information, like email addresses and phone numbers. This way, potential collaborators and talent can easily contact you on their own devices.
Merchandise
Group and venue merchandise can also have their processes streamlined through QR codes. So if the venue or a group runs out of merch or has more on their online store, they can easily provide a QR code that will take patrons directly to said online stores. Payments can also be processed through QR codes on various payment services, like PayPal, Venmo, Cashapp, and WePay.
Food and drink
It’s become popular for venues to provide digital menus and drink lists that patrons can access via QR code. This can save money on printing services and allow you to change or edit the menu without needing to go to the printer. Food and drinks can also be ordered directly through a site or service provided by a QR code.
How to make a QR code for a URL link
• In QR Code Developer, click on Create Code.
• Select the Website option as your code type.
• Name your code and paste the link into the URL bar.
• Click on the pencil icon in the Preview window to further customize the look of your code.
• Click Generate.
• Test your code on multiple devices.
Benefits of using QR codes in live music venues
Ease of use
QR codes are both easy to use and easy to make through something like QR Code Developer. Just about every smart phone on the market has a QR code scanner built right in. All you need to do is point the camera at the code and tap the link when it pops up. QR codes can also be scanned from almost any angle and even when visible damage has been done to the code.
Widely understood
By now, most people with smart phones are at least familiar with QR codes and know how to use them. In many regions, QR code payment is more popular than cash or cards.
Customizable
QR codes can be heavily customized, with unique colors and appearances to fit your needs or branding.
Hands free communication
The usage of QR codes surged during the COVID 19 pandemic since it allowed for people to communicate with each other, access content, and share resources, all without needing to touch each other or even be in the same space.
Trackable
If you use something like QR Code Developer to make your codes, then it’s possible to monitor how your codes are used. This can include information like how many scans your code got, where they were scanned, and even on what device they were scanned.
Monitoring code usage
With the tools available on QR Code developer, as well as other code generators, you can monitor the usage of any code you create. This can include how many times a code has been scanned, where it has been scanned, on what device, using what browser, and more. With these tools, you can figure out which codes are reaching the most people and where to focus any advertising efforts.
With QRCode developer you can monitor:
• Number of scans
• Number of scans by operating system
• Scans by browser
• Scans by country
• Scans by city
• Scans by language
• Unique scans
General tips
Know your audience: If you’re certain that most of your intended audience doesn’t know how to use QR codes or just don’t like them, then don’t use them.
Keep instructions clear: Provide clear instructions on how to use and scan QR codes as well as where the codes will redirect to.
Place codes on a flat surface: To make sure that codes are still scannable, only put them on flat surfaces, like walls, tables, posters, or fliers.
Use high contrast: If using custom colors on a code, make sure that the colors are distinct enough from each other to be read as a QR code.
Make sure codes are visible: Don’t place codes where patrons are unlikely to see them.
Only use codes when necessary: If an alternative exists that’s easier for all parties involved, use that.
Test on multiple devices: Make sure your codes work whether scanned on an Android device, iPhone, tablet, or other device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to hire someone to make my QR codes?
No. QR codes can be made by yourself for free through a service like QR Code Developer.
Do I need to download anything to scan QR codes?
While QR scanner apps are available for mobile devices, they are not necessary. Most modern smart devices are perfectly capable of scanning codes right from the built-in camera app.
What devices can scan QR codes?
Most modern smart devices with both a built-in camera and an internet connection can scan QR codes and access the content within. This includes smart phones, tablets, and even some handheld gaming consoles.
Are QR codes safe?
While there are some risks in using QR codes, they are relatively safe.
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