Skip to main content

QR Scan → Call Follow-up

Who it's for​

Anyone running a QR-enabled campaign who wants to act on scan data while the prospect is still warm - within the first 24 hours after they scan.

The play​

When a recipient scans your QR code, thanks.io can automatically move them to a "Hot Leads" mailing list. You get an instant scan notification (text, email, or webhook). You or your team calls them within the day. The next day, they also receive a follow-up Notecard or postcard from a Days After Added campaign tied to the Hot Leads list.

Two-channel follow-up (phone + physical mail) within 24–48 hours of a QR scan is one of the highest-converting sequences in direct mail.

Expected signals​

  • QR scan to call conversion depends on list quality and offer relevance, but warm-list scans that receive a same-day callback close at materially higher rates than cold outreach
  • The follow-up mailer arriving 3–5 days after the scan reinforces the call attempt

Step-by-step​

Send method: Automated Campaigns → Days After Added — set it up once and it fires automatically when contacts land in your Hot Leads list.

1. Set up a "Hot Leads" mailing list​

In Mailing Lists, create a list called "Hot Leads." This is where scanners will be automatically moved.

2. Enable QR tracking on your Message Template​

  1. Open your Message Template.
  2. Enable the QR code and set the destination URL (landing page, calendar link, or phone-number click-to-call).
  3. Save.

See Enabling QR Codes for setup details.

3. Configure "Move Recipient on Scan"​

  1. Go to Mailing Lists and open the source mailing list (the list your campaign is sending to).
  2. Find the Whenever a recipient on this list scans a QR Code, add them to the following lists field.
  3. Set the destination list to your "Hot Leads" list.
  4. Save.

Now, every time someone scans, they are automatically added to Hot Leads.

4. Set up scan notifications​

In Account Settings (click the gear icon in the top-right, or go to profile/account), scroll to the Notifications section under Contact Information and toggle on:

  • Email on QR Scan - instant email to you when a scan occurs
  • Text on QR Scan - instant SMS to your phone number on file

Click Save Changes.

See QR Scan Notifications.

5. Set up a Days After Added follow-up on the Hot Leads list​

  1. Go to Automated Campaigns in the left navigation.
  2. Click Add Automation.
  3. In the Add Automation modal:
    • Select What To Send: choose Notecard or 4×6 Postcard.
    • Select An Image Template and Select A Message Template for your "Following up on our conversation" piece.
    • Select A Mailing List: choose your "Hot Leads" list.
    • In the Sending trigger dropdown, select A Number of Days After a Recipient Is Added.
    • Set Enter Day After Added to List to 1 (fires the day after they're added).
  4. Click Save.

When a scanner lands in Hot Leads, they automatically receive a follow-up piece the next day.

Sample follow-up message (Day 1 after scan)​

Hi %FIRST_NAME%,

I saw you scanned our QR code - I'd love to connect if you have any questions.

Give me a call or just reply to this card.

%YOUR_FULL_NAME%, %YOUR_COMPANY%
%YOUR_PHONE%

Pitfalls​

  • Not calling the same day. The scan is a buying signal. Every hour of delay reduces conversion. Set up SMS notifications so you know the moment someone scans.
  • No follow-up mail. The phone call alone is great. The phone call + a physical follow-up piece that arrives 3 days later is better.
  • Scan destination is a dead end. If the QR code goes to a generic homepage with no clear next step, scans don't convert. Use a landing page with one clear ask.

Run this play​

  1. Enable QR codes on your Message Template
  2. Create a Days After Added follow-up campaign
  3. Monitor the Global Scan List