QR codes are little black-and-white squares people can scan to open a link with their smartphones. Excuse us if we're stating the obvious, but some people still aren't linking to the raffles with QR codes, so this list aims to keep it simple. 

When should you use a QR code?

QR codes are digital, but you don’t need to use them on social media, in emails, or on your website.

When you're promoting your raffle with posters, on jumbotrons, on signs or on stadium seats... Slap a QR code on your marketing materials and with the scan of a smartphone, you're raising more.

Best ways to use QR codes

On signs and posters

Posters are shockingly effective for selling raffle tickets. Print a bunch with QR codes leading to your raffle and put them in staff rooms, on community poster boards, and anywhere else you might catch people interested in your cause.

Even better, do you have community partners or supporters who could hang your poster? Send out an email asking community partners to print and share your poster, then attach it as a PDF. (Here's a Canva template to make a poster, if you need one.)

Sandwich boards get great visibility at events, and we've even seen groups leave them in high-traffic areas during their entire raffle campaign.

If you're hosting an event with volunteers, make signs on sticks so they can circulate crowds and people can zoom in to scan the QR code and get tickets.

On t-shirts

If attending events is part of your fundraising schtick, having branded t-shirts with QR codes leading to your raffle isn't just a genius marketing tactic... it's a conversation starter. Plus, in Canva you can even edit the colours of your QR code. (Just because it’s a marketing t-shirt, doesn’t mean it has to be ugly.)

On screens and jumbotrons

If your jackpot is up on a big screen, make sure there’s a QR code beside it so people can zoom in and buy tickets. There's nothing more exciting than watching people take out their phones to scan the code (sometimes, more than once or twice...) as the jackpot rises.

On business cards and other print materials

Having business cards on hand with QR codes leading to your raffle is perfect for when you're out and about talking about your fundraiser, and someone's interested in grabbing a ticket right away.

In the same vein, tent cards are great for organizations who have an opportunity to plug their raffle at events, or even in businesses. With an eye-catching visual, a strong key message, and a noticeable QR code, your print materials could end up being your "top fundraiser".

Hopefully, this list inspires you. Us, though? We’ve seen those done (and very well). So, please humour us by considering this list:

Places we’ve never seen a Rafflebox charity put a QR code (but really want to.)

• On mugs. Recurring raffles build a community around them — especially when jackpots get high. If your raffle has “fans”, consider doing a run of branded mugs, magnets, notebooks, or other merch that hangs around offices, schools, and more.

• On a cake. Just make sure people scan it before you cut into it.

• On a billboard. If the headline turns heads, your QR code will get scans.

Raise the bar with QR codes

So, how are you raising more funds this year? Go make some posters with our Canva templates — complete with QR codes. (And if you're not running a raffle yet, submit your contact info and we'll help you get started:)