How Pinterest Could Benefit Your Business

If you’ve been hearing a lot of talk around the social network Pinterest lately then there’s probably good reason. The social discovery network has really taken off in the last year with around 3.3 million registered users. The nature of the site means that it is very easy-to-use, highly accessible and extremely engaging.

How does it work?

Before you can start making use of Pinterest you’ll need to set up an account and get it approved. Once this is done you’re free to get started! From here, you create online pin boards. Think of them as inspiration boards and a place

Be post-savvy

Along with personal use, businesses can also benefit from the site. Pinterest clearly states that it does not support self-promotion therefore you need to adopt a different approach. Forget the way in which you interact on Facebook and Twitter as this will not apply here.

You’ll need to take subtle measures when posting and while it’s acceptable to feature products you shouldn’t constantly plug your business. For example, if you own a bridal wear business then you could post photos and articles of weddings, venues, food and anything else that relates to weddings. This is still promoting your brand and awareness around your business but just not in such a deliberate manner. This is great for showing how creative your business can be and that you are constantly full of ideas and inspiration.

Create multiple pin boards

Pinterest allows you to create multiple pin boards so that you can categorise your pins into sections for easy viewing. For example if you’re a beauty store you can have different pin boards for hair, lips and eyes etc. Don’t be afraid to vary your pin boards so that you can create a large foundation for sharing.

Inspire and share

Pinterest is a really fun way for you to create inspiration for your business.

As well as using the site to share with others, you should take note of what other users are posting too. Follow related accounts to your business so you can have access to the most relevant pin boards. Making observations into what others are sharing will allow you to gain a deeper insight into your consumer market. You’ll begin to see trends, determine what is popular and how your business fits in with these developments.

This type of interaction is becoming increasingly popular as image hosted sites prove to attract more and more visitors each day. It allows your business to approach marketing in a number of new ways which can bring in some interesting results.

Interact

It’s important to remember the social aspect of the site which goes beyond pinning. Much like any social networking site it’s all about how you interact with others. Respond to comments on your posts and engage with other users by submitting your own comments. You want as many people to re-pin and interact with your content as possible. This will create backlinks and generate awareness for your business and brand.

Usability

You may still be having doubts as to how Pinterest is relevant to your brand. The key is to think outside the box and embrace the site for what it can offer you.

Pinterest can be used to host competitions. Try getting users to create a pin board of their favourite items from your pin boards. This is a brilliant way to get links to your pages and products. It will also make your brand stand out and rise above your competitors. Your users are able to value your business on a multi-dimensional level.

Market your products

One of your pin boards could include some products that your business sells. Although the site shouldn’t really be used as an online shop you could feature some of your best products with a pricing tab attached. By adding a price tag and link to your site, your product will automatically go on the Pinterests gift page. This will then prompt visitors to visit your site to see your full list of products.

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An infographic by Visual.ly

How Pinterest could benefit your business