A giant banner with a QR code was on the stage before comedian Demetri Martin’s live show. It encouraged people to “scan to get joke.” I, like many in the audience, complied.
In a clever marketing move, the scan took you to a form to share your email address and then a joke was sent to you. Instead of trying to cajole people into giving that information, the reward of a joke was enough for people to do so willingly. It was very “on brand,” free and fun.
The next time you’re looking for people to sign up for your messages, think of how you can get them to do so willingly, instead of begrudgingly. You can set yourself apart by offering something more creative than a discount coupon so your list members may want to stay with you, instead of opting out as soon as the transaction is complete. Everyone needs a smile!
Here’s his reply: Joke: ‘Road Work Ahead’ is a sign you can put anywhere and it will be true. Note: Whenever I see that sign, I think about the whole world and how much road work is happening on it at that moment. And that makes me think about where I am in the world. And then I zoom out and think about where the world is in space and how small it is in the grand scheme of things. And then usually someone honks their horn. And I look at the road and start going again.