QR codes are gaining popularity as a way to bridge the physical medium, like paper, with a website.  We’ve been seeing them now more in magazines and just about everywhere else, including at events.   Here’s a great article from Mashable on using QR codes for events:  click here.

To scan a QR code with your smartphone, just search your phone’s apps section for “QR code reader.”  You’ll likely come up with a solid choice like Apostrophe Digital’s Mobile Tag Reader on the iPhone, or Microsoft’s Tag reader.  You use the viewfinder on your camera’s phone to scan the tag and then it takes you to a website.

Try scanning the above QR code with your phone and you should go to Mouse and Pen’s website again.  There are many creative uses for QR codes today, from business cards to billboards.  Try scanning all of these posted here, including a keychain:  click here.

Where can you put them for your business to drive more people to an offer on your website?  You can make your own QR code here:  click here.

Photo courtesy of Elf Yourself Facebook page.

It’s that time of year again – time to “elf yourself” with OfficeMax and JibJab.  Upload your headshot, or your pet’s headshot, or your relative’s, even your neighbor’s, and then spread the hilarious end-result through social media.  Happy holidays!  To do Elf Yourself, click here.

Spooky food is always around on Halloween, but these brains look real.  They’re from Kraft Foods’ Jell-O brain mold, one of several other molds available around the holidays.  So far, over 33,000 of them have sold through channels that include mommy bloggers, Facebook and Twitter.  Scary.  Read more:  click here.

Starting today, refer a friend, author, business partner or other colleague to Mouse and Pen for social media or marketing services, and a donation will be made to your favorite charity.  It’s easy:  send the full name and email address of your referral to scott@mouseandpen.com.  If a follow-up from us to your referral sparks a conversation with your referral about working together, we’ll then be in touch with you to identify the charity of your choice for the donation.  Runs through September 30, 2011.  Hope to you hear from you.

For business blogging tips, including how to start your own free blog with WordPress, see the article from Mouse and Pen in The Voice, published by the Chester County Chamber of Commerce:  click here.  The article is on the right side, on page 11, entitled “Blogging for Business Attracts More Customers.”