Get Creative with QR Codes: Fresh Ideas for Bar and Pub Promotions and Effortless Customer Sign-Ups

Keeping customers coming back is the name of the game for any bar or pub. Traditional loyalty cards can often get lost or forgotten, and asking patrons to download yet another app can be a mood killer. This is where the humble QR code steps in, offering a bridge between the digital and physical worlds, enabling seamless customer engagement and clever promotions.

Enter Checkin for Bars from meed – a game-changer designed to simplify loyalty for both your establishment and your customers. With meed, setting up a loyalty programme is as straightforward as creating a new email account. Customers can join your programme instantly with a simple QR code scan or an NFC tap, and all their memberships are conveniently stored behind one single login, without needing to download any new apps. This frictionless experience means more sign-ups and less customer fatigue.

The beauty of meed's 'Checkin for Bars' feature lies in its dual QR code system. You'll have one specific QR code for inside your venue, designed to activate a 'checkin' for existing members. Then there's a separate QR code for outside the venue, allowing new customers to simply join your loyalty programme without triggering a checkin at that moment. The challenge, of course, is helping our programme operators effectively bridge that gap between the digital setup and the physical world of their bustling pub.

So, let’s explore some creative ways to leverage these QR codes to boost your promotions and drive those all-important sign-ups:

In-Venue Creativity: Making the Checkin Part of the Experience

Your physical space is prime real estate for QR code promotion.

• Table Talkers & Coasters: Small, eye-catching table talkers or branded coasters with your 'checkin' QR code are subtle yet effective. A call to action like "Scan to Checkin & Earn!" works wonders.

• Menu Integration: Print the QR code directly onto your drinks or food menus. Customers are already looking at them, making it a natural touchpoint.

• Digital Screens & TVs: If you have screens displaying sports or promotions, incorporate the checkin QR code into the rotation. A dynamic visual can grab attention.

• Staff Uniforms: Consider a small, discreet QR code badge or embroidered patch on staff uniforms. It’s an easy, always-present prompt for customers.

• The Bar Itself: A small, well-placed sticker on the bar top where customers order can be highly effective, especially during busy periods.

Out-of-Venue Oomph: Attracting New Members

This is where your 'join' QR code truly shines, bringing new patrons into your loyalty fold before they even step inside.

• Window Decals & Posters: A prominent "Join Our Loyalty Programme!" decal on your front window with the QR code is a must. Catch passers-by.

• Pavement A-Boards: If allowed, a sign outside your pub with a compelling offer (e.g., "Scan to Join & Get a Free Pint on Your Next Visit!") and the QR code can draw in foot traffic.

• Flyers & Handouts: If you're distributing flyers for events or promotions, always include the 'join' QR code.

• Local Partnerships: Collaborate with nearby businesses. Could the local taxi firm or cinema have a small display with your QR code for reciprocal promotion?

• Digital Presence: Integrate the 'join' QR code prominently on your website, social media profiles, and any online advertising.

The Personal Touch: Your Phone as a Promotional Tool

This is a brilliant, often overlooked, way to evangelise meed.

• Your Home Screen: As a bar owner or manager, you can literally keep your pub's 'join' QR code as your phone's home screen wallpaper. When chatting to someone about the loyalty programme, you can simply pull out your phone and say, "Here, scan this, it only takes a second!" This is incredibly powerful and shows true belief in the system.

• Staff Personal Use: Encourage your staff to do the same! If they're out and about, they can be informal ambassadors for your pub's loyalty programme.

• Business Cards: A digital QR code on your personal digital business card (if you use one) or even printed on a physical card for a quick scan is a professional touch.

General Tips for QR Code Success

• Clear Call to Action: Always tell people what they'll get by scanning. "Scan for a free drink," "Join for exclusive offers," or "Checkin to earn points."

• Visibility and Accessibility: Ensure QR codes are large enough to scan easily, well-lit, and placed at eye level.

• Test, Test, Test: Regularly check that your QR codes are scanning correctly and leading to the right place.

• Promote the "Why": Explain the benefits of joining – not just the points, but the unique experiences, exclusive access, or community feel.

• Leverage meed's Ease: Emphasise that it's "no app required". This is a huge selling point for customers who are tired of app clutter.

By integrating QR codes strategically both inside and outside your venue, and empowering your team (and yourself!) to promote them effortlessly, you can transform how customers engage with your bar or pub promotions. With meed's innovative approach, loyalty becomes less of a chore and more of an organic, rewarding part of the customer experience.