Category: Wedding Tips
Let’s start with the basics.
What is a QR Code?
A QR (abbreviated Quick Response) code is a two-dimensional matrix barcode used for scanning. Just like a regular barcode, by scanning it, the QR code can output various informations.
- Text
- URL
- Phone Number
- Vcard / Contact Card
- Wifi Access (Android only)
For example, rather than having to fumble with typing a long URL and be subjected to typos, you can scan a QR code and it’ll direct you to a website.
People who see these codes could use an app on their mobile phones to scan and view information immediately. My personal favorite apps are RedLaser for iPhone and QR Droid for Android.
QR Code Tips
QR codes are gaining high popularity (9,480% increase from 2010 to 2011) despite its various barriers – requires an app, minimal awareness (6% of Americans used QR codes as of June 2011) and other options.
Should you use QR codes, here are some suggestions.
Creative Custom Codes
Avoid the generic black pixelated codes. That’s boring. Change the colors and so forth! Thanks to QRHacker.com, they’ve created a nice platform for creating your own custom QR code … even with a logo embedded. Below is mine along with other examples.
Purpose
Don’t make a QR code just for the sake of a QR code. Make sure that they have a purpose – such as to avoid long URLs.
For example, use it to link to a specific product, portfolio or other qualitative information like contacts or coupons!
Best Buy uses QR codes so that customers can read reviews and detailed information about specific products.
Incentivize
If you simply say, Like me on Facebook. No one is going to care. Give people reason(s) to want to engage with you.
As an example, using content strategy, pet photographers could share cool dog treats on their blogs. Of course, make sure to include a photo of your dog enjoying the new treat. This is, by the way, a great opportunity for you to show off your photography.
BBC included an awesome call to action for readers – scan for recipe! And if you were a food photographer, include a photo of the dish.
The ideas are endless …
Custom Landing Pages
Since QR codes are used by mobile devices, it’d be sensible to create a mobile landing page. This way, users won’t have to zoom in just to read the text or see the photos.
Using the same BBC example from above, check out their chic landing page for the recipe!
Track
Lastly, use a URL tracker to see the effectiveness of your QR code usage. Some good trackers are http://goo.gl and http://bit.ly.
That should wrap up the pros and cons for QR codes. As an early adopter of technology, I think this is cooler than the frozen berries in my freezer.
Ciao,
Lawrence Chan
P.S. Here’s an innovative way Scandinavian Airlines is using QR codes.
P.P.S. While in New Orleans for two conferences – DWF and IUSA – Julie and I learned so much about the city’s history and culture.
A highlight from our trip was playing in the swamps and holding a baby alligator! Since they’re all in hibernation, our guide grabbed this tot from a cooler.
Vroom!
Don’t know if you all have heard of Zach and Jody Gray. They’re quite possibly the cutest couple in the wedding photography industry. And when I say cute, I also mean badass when it comes to lighting.
- Learn the method to Zach & Jody Gray’s 5-hour editing wedding workflow
- Rock awesome images right in-camera
- Feel confident in your off-camera lighting
- Practice the taught principles with 3 hours of shoot time with real models
Zach & Jody’s IN-CAMERA workshops are so informative and fun, it’s almost like being at Summer camp.
Whether you’re new to photography or a seasoned pro, there’s something for everyone in these workshops, and the knowledge and technical skills you’ll acquire will immediately improve your photography. Zach & Jody are excellent teachers, breaking down technical and confusing lighting concepts into terms that everyone can understand. Everything just makes sense.
Zach & Jody also make sure that everyone gets individual attention and one-on-one personal time throughout the day. You’ll make some new friends, too! If you’re ready to take your photography to the next level, the IN-CAMERA workshops are definitely a worthwhile investment. You won’t regret it!”
- Ann-Mishoe Photography
Register Here
Use code to save 0: TOFURIOUSgray
Take advantage of this!
Lawrence Chan
Although it’s debatable between the benefits of a Personal Page versus Like Page for business, I strongly feel that the former still holds great value as we build relationships with clients in an intimate way. For example, Facebook Personal Pages allow you to see clients’ updates whereas a Like Page can only push information outwardly.
In any event, let’s talk about the Ten Commandments of Facebook Personal Pages.
1. Thou shalt not invite everyone on their Friends list to an event.
I live in the United States, but I get invites to parties — get this — from across the Atlantic Ocean. Does this screenshot qualify his or her efforts? Localize.
Instead, create an event and post it on your Timeline. If it piques interest, people will join.
2. Thou shalt not tag for the sake of viewership.
Don’t upload a photo and tag everyone for the purpose of having them see it or shown on their respective Timelines, especially if they’re not even in the photo.
3. Thou shalt not promote oneself 24/7.
If you can’t produce beneficial content, then share content relevant to your business goal. Go ahead and throw in some funny pictures like cheezburger cat.
4. Thou shalt not complain 24/7.
Splendid. For the 3rd week in a row, you have insomnia. Repeating it won’t make it go away.
I know that life sometimes stinks. We will console you. Ultimately, focus on feel good factors.
5. Thou shalt not invite everyone to Like your Page.
If you have a Page, good.
Create some worthwhile content and tag yourself, so that it’ll enter people’s newsfeeds. If viewers are curious enough, they’ll explore. Forcing invitation of your Page to everyone is annoying.
Here’s another idea: host a giveaway.
6. Thou shalt not invite all Friends to play a game.
Negative.
7. Thou shalt not request all Friends to use an application.
Another negative.
8. Thou shalt not mass email everyone on his or her Friends list.
We hate spam. Even Spam Musubi isn’t that appealing … Why do it on Facebook?
9. Thou shalt not invite people to Groups without their knowing.
The perfect way to wake up in the morning is to realize that you’re unknowingly part of an active Facebook Group, so it plugs up your real notifications.
10. Thou shalt not update every hour.
Thanks for letting everyone know that you’re at the supermarket via FourSquare. And then at home. Followed by a visit to a burger joint. Next, a pit stop at Starbucks. And so forth …
Bottom line? Be considerate.
Facebook is always evolving, so this list will inevitably evolve. Just don’t do things you don’t think is cool.
I’m not complaining. I’m saving whomever face. I still quietly and diligently unfollow Groups I was forced into. I still quietly and diligently untag myself from photos that have no relationship to me. I still quietly and diligently …
Alas, not everyone is like me. The aforementioned actions could really upset others — like a permanent ban.
Saving people from trouble,
Lawrence Chan
P.S. I’m having an Häagen Dazs social at WPPI. Come join me Sunday, Feb 19, 2012 – 6:00 PM!
P.P.S. If any of these have happened to you, share.
P.P.P.S. Did I miss anything?
P.P.P.P.S. A nice note from Mark Oristano for my pricing and packaging e-book.
When I was at UCLA, I had this disgusting roommate. He was putrid. Don’t even get me started with his personal hygiene. I didn’t care so much as long as he didn’t cross onto my side of the room.
One day, he not only crossed the line, he touched it. Like he literally wiped a booger on my towel because he ran out of tissue, touched it. Needless to say, I was furious. As much as I wanted to punch his lights out, I offered him my towel as a personal tissue and went to Target to purchase a new one.
Hatred is a very negative emotion. It is venomous for the person issuing caustic words and for the recipient of said animosity.
On February 7, 2012, Ellen Degeneres posted a video in response to some critics about her sponsorship by JC Penney. I found Ellen DeGeneres to have handled the criticism with grace, humility and, most importantly, humor.
“Here are the values that I stand for:
- honesty
- equality
- kindness
- compassion
- treating people the way you want to be treated
- and helping those in need
To me, those are traditional values; that’s what I stand for.”
- Ellen DeGeneres
So, in the face of haters, just smile. They’re not worth your time.
Celebrating the month of love,
Lawrence Chan
P.S. Are you ready for Valentine’s Day? And it’s okay to send a gift to yourself. I approve of it.
After talking with Marietta St Onge for about a year, she have managed to work out a time slot for me! Since I will be flying out to Texas for SXSW on Friday morning, CTPPA was gracious enough to squeeze me in as a pre-convention speaker the evening before.
I am honored to be speaking at CTPPA’s annual convention about social media marketing. Since it’s before the actual convention, I’d imagine the seminar to be more intimate, thus fun!
Plus, since it’s a 3-hour time slot, which is longer than most talks, I’m leaving lots of room for open discussion. I’ve always found that q/a sessions to be equally helpful as the actual talk.
March 8, 2012 – Thursday at 6-9 PM
Hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
Lawrence
P.S. I’ll be there a little earlier, so come hang out! I’ll tweet or post to facebook for updates.
Remember in grade school when we made heart cutouts and glued them on paper bags? Next, we would tape them on our desks, so that classmates could drop Valentine’s Day notes in them. And then the anxiety began. Who’s going to give what? Even deciding on which candy for you to give away was important; it represented who you were.
So cute … except when someone doesn’t get anything like in the episode of “I Love Lisa” by The Simpsons — Lisa Simpson leaves Ralph Wiggum a “I Choo-Choo-Choose You!” note, which was interpreted incorrectly by Ralph.
In order to avoid a Ralph Wiggum fiasco, download these Valentine’s Day InDesign templates and either print them for loved ones, clients or friends … or send them digital ones!
They are designed for WHCC‘s 7.25″ x 5.25″ card template. You’re welcome to use it for other print labs. All in all, check with them first.
Anyway, if you like them, please share on Facebook and a zipped file will automatically download.
Make sure that you’re using a desktop browser because mobile browsers cannot display Facebook Apps. I don’t have a Photoshop version yet because I don’t have time to convert them. However, if anyone wishes to create masks for me, I’d be happy to share them. Thanks!
Enjoy!
If you like them, please share on Facebook and a zipped file will automatically download.
Love,
Lawrence Chan
P.S. Here’s a fun photo on how to properly eat sushi. Good to know if you have a seafood loving client.
In light of the season for love, I have some Valentine’s Day InDesign Templates created. They are designed for WHCC‘s 7.25″ x 5.25″ card template. You’re welcome to use it for other print labs. All in all, check with them first.
Anyway, if you like them, please share on Facebook and a zipped file will automatically download.
If you like them, please share on Facebook and a zipped file will automatically download.
Love,
Lawrence Chan
P.S. Here’s a fun photo on how to properly eat sushi. Good to know if you have a seafood loving client.
If you didn’t hear, you now could get buzzed twice a day at Starbucks! In the mornings, coffee. In the afternoons, wine and beer. Starbucks plans to introduce this idea at selected stores to invite an afternoon crowd.
What are your thoughts on this? I had a small discussion in my new Facebook Group and got mixed reviews.
At first, this might sound like a reckless idea — largest coffee chain selling something not coffee, but let’s first examine other companies.
Virgin — Fun
If I had a choice, I would normally fly Virgin Airlines. They are so dang hip.
From the moment you check-in, you feel like you’re entering a club or lounge — white leather chairs accented with blue and purple lighting coupled with the faint beats of a trance-like song.
Everything about Virgin is so fun. It makes you feel a little Richard-Bransonish (yes, I made an adjective with his name). Heck! It’s part of their company values!
With their entire theme (or Brand Philosophy according to my book) centered around fun, they’re able to branch out into different markets … all with the same idea of FUN.
Understanding that FUN is their Brand Philosophy, what they do is merely a branch of that core idea.
Apple — Think Different
I’m not a fan. I’m a fanatic. Everything about Apple is so pretty.
Did you know that Apple used to only make computers? In fact, they used to be called Apple Computers. Isn’t it strange for them to branch out into music players, tablets, television, phones … ?
Recognize those words? Think different. That’s Apple’s Brand Philosophy. Everything they do revolves around those words. So, in the end, what they produce isn’t that big of a concern.
Starbucks — Community
So, coming back to Starbucks. Below is their mission.
If their Brand Philosophy is centered around community, isn’t bringing people together later in the day with wine and beer part of their mission?
It doesn’t mean that it’s going to be successful, but chances are improved if people know of their Brand Philosophy. It will all sort of make sense after that. Do you read coffee anywhere in their mission statement?
Because ultimately, coffee is what they sell, not why they sell it. Just as how photography is what you do, not … you get the idea.
Brand Evangelism
Having a Brand Philosophy allows people to subscribe to something greater than just the product, thus leading into brand evangelism. For example, I don’t buy Apple products simply because they’re pretty; I buy it because I want to be creative or to think differently.
If I only bought Apple because they’re pretty, doesn’t that mean I’ll subscribe to another brand if they’re prettier? Probably not. Again, Brand Philosophy in place …
Here is the introduction for Chapter 9: Brand Evanglism of my book:
To make evangelists out of your audience is every marketers dream, right? Truly, imagine having an entire tribe of supporters that believe so strongly in your service that they take it upon themselves to promote and encourage its use. I’d say this is the ultimate customer engagement.
The act of spreading the word, or evangelism, conjures a sense of religious fervor. And, in a lot of ways, brand evangelists are much like religious crusaders who preach their version of spiritual enlightenment. Both kinds of evangelists voluntarily campaign for a cause—bring good news—because they believe it’s the right thing to do. They’re not paid to pass along messaging by the larger group they’re supporting. Rather, they tell people what they believe, because they’re convinced that the lives and well-being of their friends and family will improve if they can “see the light” and adopt a similar way of thinking and living.
– Lawrence Chan
Social Media Marketing for Digital Photographers
WPPI
All of this merely scratches the surface of brand evangelism. I will be elaborating this idea at my Platform Talk at WPPI this February 2012.
I’m not preaching that you should diversify yourself. I’m talking about Brand Philosophy. If you’re interested in creating the ultimate tribe or evangelist group, come on by.
And even for the thousands of you who already bought my book, I will be expanding on this concept even more … It will be a fun discussion.
See you there?
Lawrence Chan
P.S. A kind note from Brandon Bartee
I estimate that your pricing ebook made me around ,000 last year due to the changes that I made to my business!
P.P.S. A chat I had in an elevator at PartnerCon …
(forgive me I don’t remember your name – if you had this convo with me, email me!)
Photographer: Hello.
Me: Hello.
Photographer: Loved your talk.
Me: Thanks!
Photographer: My friend didn’t come.
Me: Why?
Photographer: She thought you would repeat a blog post or something.
Me: Did I?
Photographer: No! Not even close. She so missed out! Everyone thought your talk was amazing!
Me: Thanks!
(ding)
Me: That’s my stop. Bye!
See you at WPPI!
P.P.P.S. Would you buy wine and beer at Starbucks? Comment below.
Happy new year! This is my first post of 2012. I hope your new year is starting out with lots of love and surprises. We can never get enough of those.
For me, I’ve been catching up on television shows. I’m know that I’m a late bloomer for the following, but I’m all done!
I’ve been obsessed with Mad Men. While many might enjoy the scandals, I love their depiction of history and its discussion of marketing and advertising.
I’m usually a martini guy, but I even ventured to try an Old Fashioned at a recent lunch. Ah, change!
Anyway, Sex and the City is another winner. I even streamed the first movie on YouTube Movies because I couldn’t wait for the franchise to share it on Netflix (if ever). I wish they were all my BFFs. They would talk about shoes, men and love while I sit and giggle.
One commonality about these two television shows share is that they showcase realistic flaws behind perfect demeanors. We are not perfect. One of my flaws? I eat an insane amount of chocolate.
Jasmine Star Exposed
Last week, my issue of Exposed arrived along with a box of See’s Candies. Like a teen flipping through Tiger Beat, I devoured both with great excitement.
Jasmine Star recently debuted her self-published magazine Exposed, which detailed the beautiful, ugly and fugly facts about her journey starting a new photography business. Despite all of the cow poo she went through, Jasmine still succeeded. I’m so proud of her.
More importantly, what’s really awesome about this magazine is that, although it is a nice compilation of her anecdotes, various sections end with applicable lessons — like how to make a couple comfortable in front of the camera. Really useful tips!
Read Jasmine’s blog.
New Journeys
How will you start your new journey? A new year is a new start. Let’s have some fun. And try not to worry about falling / failing. It’s all part of the adventure. Failure isn’t fatal.
Sending you lots of hugs,
Lawrence Chan
P.S. Boom! I thought I was the only clever person to take pictures of San Francisco’s new year at Treasure Island. Ha. What a foolish thought … there was a ton of people already there way before me.
I was lucky that one SF peep shared his parking space with me (fitted two cars in one spot). Good thing our cars were petite … unlike the dinner I had moments before.
I love how WordPress is on a mission for constant CMS improvement. As part of their new version 3.3 rollout, they incorporated some Javascript libraries that made some commands on my theme redundant (if you downloaded it before December 29, 2011). If you got it after, please ignore this update.
To rectify this, I’ve prepared two zip files for updates. Please download the correct file.
3.2 Two Columns – functions.php
3.3 One Column – functions.php
Instructions
- Download file from above.
- Unzip the file (functions-32.zip or functions-33.zip)
- Login to blog via FTP.
- Find theme folder (usually wp-content/themes/tofu-##)
- Upload and replace the functions.php file
If you have any issues, email tofurious.staff@gmail.com and someone will have you sorted out.
Thanks,
Lawrence Chan