Using QR codes to update Twitter
15th December 09
Posted in social media, technology
Jointly posted with Richard Schatzberger, Director of Creative Technology, BBH New York
With the holidays now in full swing we thought we would get into the spirit of giving and share an idea we have been playing with in BBH Labs. It’s nice and simple. So simple in fact that we can’t imagine that someone has already done it (tweet us a link if you have seen it in action).
The idea is QR codes that instantly create tweets.
Simply shoot the QR code (below) with a reader on your phone and you have a tweet ready to send out to the world (note: you may have to log-in to Twitter).
Step 1:
Make the URL (just change the red bit)
http://twitter.com/home?status=insert%20your%20message%20here
Use these codes for special characters – (%20 is a space) (%40 is @) (%25 is #)
To make it even easier try using zeek interactive’s tool for generating the link
Step 2:
Paste it into a QR code maker.
http://createqrcode.appspot.com/
That’s it.
We think there are some really interesting ways to use this and would love to hear of any ways you find to bring it to life making it valuable for people and brands.
Thoughts?
Just tooling around with this today. Thanks for sharing. Already automated an image to post to my twitter! Perfect timing.
It’s a good idea, but I have two questions.
1) Why not use a URL shortner? The QR code you show is very large and may not be readable by all phones.
2) Given that QR codes are designed for phones, why not use http://m.twitter.com/ ? That way you can be sure the site will render on the device.
Anyway, really clever idea.
Oh, if you want to *create* codes while on the phone, you can use my site – http://shkspr.mobi/qr.php
Thanks
T
Hi Terence,
Thanks for your comment.
1. Yes, using a URL shortner will really help and be less scary when someone see’s the URL. The link to Zeek’s tool above creates a short URL of the text you write appended with the status update part of the code. It wouldn’t take much to go straight from entering text to creating the QR code (anyone want to have a go at making that?)
2. good point, twitter does a fairly good job of recognizing the browser but to be on the safe side adding m. would be a better way to do it.
Your link is great thanks! Have it bookmarked and now I want to start making them on the go and printing them out on the street with my PoGo http://bit.ly/4tZ5RC
Nice application of Qrcodes and Twitter. Good bedmates for sure.
Wonder if it works the other way around. Every tweet you write can be made into a qrcode. That’s easy, but what if there were a ‘qrcode me’ link next to every tweet (yours or anybodys) and it’s a simple qrcode generator that create it for you.
Better yet, why not partner with bit.ly (or goo.gl, yeesh) and have them somehow instantly shorten the URL for that entire tweet instantly.
And since were at it, why not create some perforated sticker paper for printers that these qrcodes can then immediately be printed on (these probably exist in some form).
Then you do what jen.lu does and stick you qrcode stickers all over town. If anything else, people will start actually seeing them and slowly they will become mainstream. And that’s when they will find their way into creative briefs
Guys
Thanks for this. Although we don’t mean to use it for Twitter it got us thinking about how to work with QR codes for a music festival entry.
We run a music weekender where people stay in chalets. On arrival day we have to effectively ‘hotel check in’ around 3000 people to their accommodation
All our ticketing is via email and we currently check validity by search of a database. We considered barcoding e-tickets but the associated readers are too expensive for an event this size.
Assigning QR codes in the e-ticket which would dramatically speed up the check in procedure and queuing time = happy party people.
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Could this be done with Facebook as well?
Thank you for this.
I have one correction: The code for # is not %25 but %23
reiterating Larry’s comment:
Could this be done with Facebook?
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I’m looking for the same thing for ages now, but for 4SQ! I run a recordlabel and i want fans to check-in where they here or see one of our records. Still haven’t found a programmer who can help me out. The tricky part is that i don’t have a vast venue… of course not, i distribute records where people want to find & hear them. Obvious to pin those places with a thought of our fans… no one i contacted before, could help me out.
The problem: finding the place nearby & triggering the API on the mobile site > no one uses that > they all use apps instead
Great article and discussion around QR code functionality.
I work at an ad agency and we use a platform called Scanvee (http://www.Scanvee.com) that allows us to easily create QR codes, including a Twitter code, Facebook Like code, Check-in code, schedule code among others.
They offer a free account as well as an upgraded account (which gives you access to analytics and all the code functions) for $25/mo.
Definitely worth checking out.
Jerrid
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