Using QR Codes in Your Fitness Business

qr code CSM — Scan this code with your smartphone to try out the QR code

QR codes are turning up everywhere these days – on postcards, websites, magazines, television, and even billboards. The technology is a few years old now, but the fitness industry tends to be a few years behind, so it is perfect timing for you to implement this marketing strategy.

What is a QR Code?

QR stands for Quick Response, and it is essentially a barcode that you can place on all of your advertising that will send people to a destination of your choosing (Facebook page, Youtube video, your website, etc). Your prospect will need to have a smartphone and have downloaded a QR reader app. Most smartphone users have a QR code app on their device.

Why Use QR Codes?

Last month alone, over 15 million U.S. mobile phone users scanned a QR code. Most of the users were between the ages of 25 and 44 and a high percentage of these people earned over $100K a year. Not only does your ideal target market use QR codes, they are also very easy to implement into your current marketing strategies. QR codes have been widely used in many industries with great success.

As popular as QR codes are, most clubs have been reluctant to incorporate them into their marketing. Probably the main reason clubs haven’t adopted this strategy is simply lack of understanding how it will benefit their club.

How to Create Your QR Code

You can simply do a Google search for “QR code generator.” My favorite, and the one that created the QR code within this article, can be found at www.youscan.me. The code was created in less than 20 seconds. If you have a smartphone, download one of the dozens of free QR readers and scan the code. You’ll notice this particular code takes you to a page where you can “Like” Club Solutions Magazine’s page. Please click the Like button so you can see how it works.

Here are some things to remember when using QR Codes

Try to incorporate them into all of your marketing efforts, including both print and digital. Put them on your website, your direct mail, your business cards, gift cards, fliers, brochures, in the window of your gym, on your vehicle, billboards, on t-shirts, and more.

Give people a reason to scan your QR code. Offer a discount, a free-trial pass, a free weight loss report, to enter a contest, to watch a video tour of your club, or anything else you would normally promote.
Make sure you test your QR code before you begin promoting it. Make sure it is tested on all smartphones (iPhone, Android, Blackberry)

Even if you aren’t personally interested in QR codes, your prospects and members are. It’s not about what you want; it’s about what your audience wants.

Follow these basic rules and you’ll be well on your way to maximizing the effectiveness of your QR code and driving new leads to your business with the latest technology.

Curtis Mock is the host of www.FitnessBusinessTelevision.com the TV show for fitness entrepreneurs. He is also the executive director of gymsuccess.com. Curtis can be reached at curtis@clubsolutionsmagazine.com.