Archive for April, 2011

Posted on April 23, 2011 - by Wayne Sutton

Why the Charlie Sheen designer QR Code is not #Winning but how I plan to give it some Tiger Blood

It looks like the one and only Charlie Sheen has a new designer QR Code to go along with his social media brand power.  The QR Code looks cool right? A nice black and white Charlie Sheen head in the middle to match the rest of the QR Code,  plus some simple blue gradient background and outline to make QR Code stand out. The QR Code was designed by Set Japan.

Set Japan have designed a QR Code for Charlie Sheen (image below). The QR Code resolves to the official Charlie Sheen website and it will be interesting to see what he makes of it. Hat-tip: Charlie Sheen Gets a Designer QR Code on the  2d-code.co.uk

I’m not sure if Mr. Sheen is using QR Code or not but here are my reasons why it’s not winning and my solutions to give it some tiger blood:

1. The Charlie Sheen website is not mobile optimized. After you scan the QR Code it goes to http://www.charliesheen.com but charliesheen.com is not optimized for mobile devices.
Solution: Make a mobile version of charliesheen.com for users who are going to scan the QR Code.

2. While the designer QR Code is nice it’s a little hard to scan.
Solution: Make it even simpler, don’t overlap the edges with blue and/or make the Charlie Sheen head a little smaller.

3.  Lack of QR Code description/call to action text.
Solution: While we all know what #winning means now, I think the QR Code needs some additional text besides the #winning hashtag. Example: “Scan the charlie sheen QR Code to win some real life tiger blood!“

4. No QR Code Reader/Scanner in The MaSheen iPhone app.
Solution: Again, I’m not sure if this is the official Charlie Sheen iPhone app or if he’s going to use the designer QR Code but if he’s going to use both why not have them work together. Add a QR Code reader to the iPhone app. Need help? Contact  Us! Also he could use his call to action text saying “Download The MaSheen iPhone app and scan the #winning QR Code to win some tiger blood. ” You get the picture.

My tiger blood QR Code iPhone solution for Charlie Sheen:

Take a look at how we created and launched my new iPhone app at http://app.socialwayne.com. It has a QR Code Reader along with a group chat where Charlie could communicate directly with his most winning fans.  The app could also allow him to send push notifications to all of the iPhone app users plus twitter and facebook updates. The app also has a fast QR Code reader/scanner built in.

In terms of the designer QR Code, while adding the Charlie Sheen head is nice… Keep it simple.

Regardless of the iPhone app or designer QR Code it’s 2011, create a clean simple fast mobile website for your fans. More people are reading content on mobile devices than ever before and soon reading content on mobile devices will past that of desktop computers.

How would you like to see Charlie Sheen use QR Codes?

 

Posted on April 21, 2011 - by Wayne Sutton

Announcing the SocialWayne iPhone app with QR Code Reader & Group Chat. Plus QR Code Contest

The QR Code Reader and Group Chat iPhone App for Everyone!

As some of you know I’m a huge QR Code fanboy and today I’m excited to announce the new SocialWayne community iPhone app with QR Code Reader, group chat and mobile contest with over $1,000 in prizes from companies such as Mophie, Trackur,Tappinn and more! Just download, scan the QR Code on app.socialwayne.com and chat to win!

The new iPhone app bridges mobile, social, online and offline communities to provide a new way of mobile engagement. Other features of the app include listings of upcoming web/tech events and the ability to update your Facebook and Twitter via the mobile web.

Key app features:

• Fast QR Code Reader
• Real-Time Group Chat
• Web/Tech Events Listings
• Social Media Updates
• SocialWayne.com updates

QR Code Mobile App Contest
To celebrate the launch of the app, I’ve  partnered with friends and companies such as Mophie, Tappinn, Andy Beal’s Trackur, Brand Camp University, Tantrum Apps and more to offer over $1,000 in prizes. To win, use the SocialWayne iPhone app, scan the contest QR Code for the day on http://app.socialwayne.com and use the group chat feature.

The contest is designed to demonstrate how to use QR Codes and group chat feature and what can be built on the TriOut platform. The contest starts Wednesday April 20, at 11:30 a.m., EST and runs for seven days Monday through Friday. Here’s a full list of contest partners and prizes:

Powered by TriOut
The SocialWayne iPhone app is build on the TriOut platform. TriOut builds mobile community applications for individuals, businesses, conferences and educational institutions.

More information about the SocialWayne iPhone app:
http://app.socialwayne.com

Screenshots and features list
http://l.socialwayne.com/appnews

Download the App from iTunes
http://l.socialwayne.com/appitunes

Share on Twitter:
http://l.socialwayne.com/tshare

Let me know what you think about the new app in the comments. If you always wanted your own iPhone app for yourself or business email me!

Posted on April 18, 2011 - by Wayne Sutton

The Growth of Mobile Marketing and Tagging – infographic via Microsoft Tag

As you know I’m a huge fan of QR Codes but let’s not forget about Microsoft Tags. Like QR Codes, Microsoft Tags have a similar value in allowing mobile users to easily scan and interacte with mobile content. To explain, the Microsoft Tag team has create the The Growth of Mobile Marketing and Tagging infographic. Take a look below.

Learn More about Mobile Tagging at Microsoft Tag.

Have you scanned or seen a Microsoft Tag recently?

Posted on April 17, 2011 - by Wayne Sutton

Is the iPad a job killer? Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. Blames The iPad For Killing Jobs

From: Real Clear Politics Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL), who admits to owning an iPad, blames the Apple Inc. product for “eliminating thousands of American jobs.”

“A few short weeks ago I came to the House floor after having purchased an iPad and said that I happened to believe, Mr. Speaker, that at some point in time this new device, which is now probably responsible for eliminating thousands of American jobs. Now Borders is closing stores because, why do you need to go to Borders anymore? Why do you need to go to Barnes & Noble? Buy an iPad and download your newspaper, download your book, download your magazine,” Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL, Chicago) said on the House floor Friday afternoon.

Ironically, it was only last month that Rep. Jackson was promoting the Apple iPad and Amazon on the House floor.

 

My thoughts:

Ok I try to avoid talking about politics but this one touches a nerve. First make sure you watch the video on Real Clear Politics website. I mean, I get what Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. is saying and If you really think about it, he’s part right. The iPad is made in China, and Borders is closing stores. But there’s a lot more other factors that come into play to why Borders is closing doors. Also note Borders has their own ebook (digital book) reader as well. So Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. you can’t blame the iPad.

Also as the publishing industry has been under “attack” from the decline in newspaper sales and more, changes must happen for the industry to continue. It’s called innovation and adoption. It’s what the New York Times is doing with their apps and why we have new apps like the Daily. Also not to mention how much money Apple has allowed for developers to make. If I’m a publisher or write or in the publishing industry I would have been thinking about mobile like… 4 years ago.

So while “I get” what Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr is saying, I believe it to be a very incorrect statement and a sign of how technology is progressing industries into new directions. Also it’s up to each individual to continue to learn and grow to stay current with today’s job / technology industry. It’s not easy but it’s life.

RealClearPolitics – Video – Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. Blames The iPad For Killing Jobs.

Posted on April 16, 2011 - by Wayne Sutton

Only 1 Percent of Web Visits Comes from Social Media?

From  Marketing Pilgrim: Under 1 Percent of Web Visits Comes from Social Media

In yet another attempt to measure social media ROI, ForeSee developed their “Social Media Value Benchmark,” which ranks web visitors based on how the customer came to the site, how much they spent, how they felt about the experience and whether they’re likely to return.

ForeSee’s initial results, after surveying nearly 300,000 consumers, is that people who were influenced by social media spend more and are more satisfied and loyal customers than those who aren’t influenced by social media.

 

 

Interesting report, a few thoughts I have about it are:

1. 300,000 survey results are not an accurate enough number when you have over 1,9 Billion internet users world wild. Also to put the  300,000 number in prospective, it has been reported that 300,000 people join twitter everyday.

2.  Regardless of the number, I could see some part of the results being accurate with so many companies marketing their Facebook.com url or twitter profile vs a companies businessname.com url.

Basically if you’re not seeing an increase in web site visits/traffic from using social media, you’re doing it wrong especially if that’s your goal.