By Holly Robinson

This article was republished with permission from Extra Space Storage Inc. To view the original article, click here or scan the QR code below.

QR (quick response) codes are popping up everywhere you look. They're those little squares with a funky black and white pattern insidethe cousin to the barcode. Using a QR code reader on a smartphone, people scan the square to read the whats in the code. The QR code can contain a variety of information such as a link to a video, Web page, document, picture, graphic or just plain text.

These codes are exceptionally easy to create, and you dont need even need any special knowledge or programming language. If you can copy, paste and type text on your computer, you have what it takes to create a QR code.

While there are many free QR code creators on the Internet, I like quikqr.com the best because its extremely easy to use. Simply type in the text or paste a URL, and then click on a button and create the code as a picture. You can then save the picture for later use.

How you can you as a self-storage operator use QR codes as part of your facility marketing? Here are 10 ideas.

1. Create a video that shows the different sizes of your units. Post that video on YouTube, and then create a QR code with the URL to the video. Put the code in your print advertisements, brochures and fliers.

2.Create several QR codes offering a discount. For example, the discount could be 20 percent off the first months rent or 15 percent off a purchase of moving supplies. Print several copies of the code and attach them to random moving supplies you sell. Then, when someone buys that item, scan the code and give the customer the discount.

3.Create a code that offers a discount on a rental unit, and then add the code to your Web page. When customers go to your website, theyll see the code, scan it, print the discount, and then take it into your office to receive it.

4.Create a QR code that contains the URL to a Web page on your companys website. The page can list rental sizes, prices, locations of your storage facilities and business hours. In addition, post the code to your Facebook page.

5.You can also take the code youre adding to your website and print it up on a piece of paper. Put that paper in the window of your business. People who stop by after hours can scan the code and get information about your office hours and unit sizes.

6.If you put a code on your Facebook page, change it occasionally. Have codes that are links to coupons, YouTube videos, tips on how a person can best organize a storage unit, or maybe just a funny saying.

7.You can link a QR code to a PDF document on your file server that has information about your upcoming activities such as charitable events, an auction or a scholarship contest.

8.Create a code that links to an article on your blog or other articles that might be of interest to your customers.

9.Create a code that links to your website. Print the code on business cards and letterheads.

10.You can print a code on promotional T-shirts, hats and tote bags that you give out to customers.

These ideas are just a sampling of the many ways you can incorporate QR codes into your self-storage marketing program. Plus, youll have fun creating and promoting this new marketing trend.

Holly Robinson is a frequent contributor to Extra Space Storage Inc.s online features page. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Extra Space owns or operates more than 900 self-storage properties throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The companys properties comprise approximately 610,000 units and about 66.5 million square feet of rentable space.