Elliott Bay Book Company & QR Codes

For those who are unaware of the bookstore, Elliott Bay Book Company, here is a brief background history about the company:

The Elliott Bay Book Company was founded in 1973 and is an independent and family-owned bookstore. The definition of an independent bookstore to Elliott Bay Book Company means that they are truly interdependent with the community and you, you being the customer. The company prides themselves on being a knowledgeable staff of booksellers whom do their best to locate the right book for you. In addition, Elliott Bay Book Company offers special order services, book group presentation, a variety selection of books on tape, signed first editions, magazines and journals, limited editions, and a full-scale book review written by the staff.

How can Elliott Bay Book Company incorporate QR codes?

1. Bookmarks: With a book purchase at Elliott Bay Book Company, one receives a generic paper bookmark with the company’s name, address, and a quote. The quote is by Anatole Broyard and reads: “A good book is never exhausted. It goes on whispering to you from the wall.” This quote suggests that the power and magic of a good book never ends, the message sticks with you even when you are done reading. Similarly, QR (Quick Response) codes can carry a potent message that sticks with the consumer. From the article, Marketers Embracing QR Codes, For Better Or Worse, Rick Brooks CEO of Flyte New Media states that the rewards one gets through scanning QR codes should be valuable.

To make the Elliott Bay bookmark more valuable and unique, Elliott Bay Book Company could place a QR code on the bookmark that leads to the company’s website. This would simplify the process of searching for the company on the web and would provide the consumer with more information about the history and services the company provides.

2. Books: Rick Brooks also shared that QR codes should deliver something that is not available elsewhere and something that is worthwhile and surprising such as discount coupons or a virtual tour. A possible QR idea that offers the consumer a worthwhile experience for the Elliott Bay Book Company would be to place a QR code on a particular book that would lead to an exclusive video with the author discussing his or her inspirations for writing the piece and additional details about the plot. An exclusive video with an author is something that the consumer could not find anywhere else and the video would also provide the reader a chance to see and hear the author.

3. Special Events: Elliott Bay Book Store offers book group presentation and author readings. Posters and flyers advertising these events can have QR codes that lead the consumer to the presenting author’s biography. The QR code can also lead the consumer to the particular section of Elliott Bay’s website describing the details of the special event such as dates, times, and location.

4. Elliott Bay Café: Elliott Bay Café is a wonderful reader’s haven. Elliott Bay Book Company could place QR codes on the menu that could lead the consumer to discount coupons on meals and beverages.

Happy Tuesday!

Connie Rae