So, you’ve never thought of Pinterest as a tool for your business? Let me tell you, it’s like walking past a treasure chest and not even realizing it. Pinterest isn't just for crafters, fashionistas, and dream planners—it's a bustling marketplace for your brand to sparkle. Here’s the lowdown on turning Pinterest into your business’s secret weapon.
Back to Basics: Pinterest 101
Imagine Pinterest as the most extensive bulletin board in the world. Over 450 million people are pinning everything from banana bread recipes to wedding themes. But here’s the scoop: most of these pinners are keen on finding products and services just like yours. It’s a place where your business can shine visually and connect with customers in a genuinely fun and engaging way.
Pinterest Lingo You Gotta Know
Pins: These are the bread and butter of Pinterest. Think of each pin as a bookmark to an idea or product you love. Click on one, and it’ll whisk you away to a website full of more info.
Pincodes: Picture QR codes but Pinterest-style. Whip up a Pincode for your business board, and when people scan it, they’re teleported directly to your curated content.
Pinners: That’s what Pinterest calls its users—a community of dreamers and doers.
Boards: Imagine digital bulletin boards where you organize all your pins. Whether it’s “DIY Home Decor” or “Recipes to Try,” boards are where your pins call home.
Group Boards: Take collaboration to the next level with group boards. You share ownership with other users, pooling your pins for even more inspiration.
Archived Boards: Done with a board but not ready to say goodbye? Archive it. It’ll stop showing in your profile, and you’ll stop getting related suggestions.
Feed: Just like your Facebook or Twitter feed, but it’s all pins, all the time, tailored to what you love or what Pinterest thinks you’ll fancy.
Hashtags and More: Yes, Pinterest loves hashtags too, making it a breeze to discover pins. There’s also the Lens feature—snap a pic, and Pinterest shows you similar pins or where to shop them. Don’t forget, you can comment, save, send, tag, and message, making Pinterest as interactive as it is inspirational.
Why Pinterest is a Must for Your Small Business
Let's dive into why Pinterest is more than just a digital scrapbooking site—it's a powerful tool waiting to work wonders for your business. Here’s the scoop on why you should be pinning not just for fun, but for the growth of your business.
A World of Potential Customers
Did you know Pinterest is the seventh most popular social media platform in the U.S.? Oberlo says over 39 percent of American adults are on Pinterest. That’s a lot of eyeballs that could be checking out your products or services. We’re talking millions of potential new customers here, folks!
Show and Tell Like Never Before
Pinterest is the catwalk of social media platforms. It's where your business gets to strut its stuff visually. And with Pinterest being the only platform supporting visual search right now, it's your chance to get ahead of the curve. Think of it as your virtual storefront where the window displays are always changing.
Shopping Made Easy
Here’s a fun fact: people often hop onto Pinterest to decide if they want to buy something. It’s like a giant mall where window shopping can instantly turn into actual shopping. Pinterest has this superpower to take users from "just looking" to "take my money" in just a few clicks.
Insights Galore
The Pinterest Insights hub is like having a crystal ball that tells you what’s hot, what’s not, and everything in between. It gives you a peek into the minds of your potential customers, showing you trends and preferences. This kind of intel is gold for planning your next big move.
Boost Your Brand
Imagine getting your brand in front of people who are on the hunt for new ideas and products every week. Pinterest users love discovering new things, which means more eyes on your business. It’s like being the new kid on the block that everyone wants to be friends with.
FYI
Using Pinterest for your business isn’t just about getting likes or followers. It’s about expanding your reach and connecting with customers in a place where they’re already looking for inspiration. It's about making your brand a part of their plans and dreams.
Setting Up Your Pinterest Business Account: A Simple Guide
Ready to get your business onto Pinterest but not sure where to start? Fear not! Setting up a Pinterest business account is a piece of cake, and I'm here to walk you through it step by step. Whether you're converting an existing personal account or starting fresh, here's how to get your business profile up and running.
1. Kick Things Off
First things first, head over to Pinterest.com/business/create. If you're logged into a personal account, you'll need to log out. Once you're on the right page, pop in your email and a password. Tip: Use a business email to keep things professional and separate from your personal pins.
2. Introduce Your Business
Next up, you'll enter your business name and website link. This bit's important because it's how people will find you. Then, select your language and location so Pinterest knows where you're coming from.
3. Tell Pinterest What You're All About
Here, you'll give a brief description of your business. This helps Pinterest tailor recommendations and ideas suited to your brand.
4. Advertise (or Not)
Decide if you want to dive into advertising right away. You can always change your mind later, but if you're keen, you can leave your contact info for a Pinterest ads representative to get in touch.
5. Choose Your Adventure
This is where the fun begins. You can either jump right into creating your first pin, start an ad campaign to boost your reach, or focus on sprucing up your profile with a profile picture and cover photo.
What's Your Move? Whether it's sharing that first pin, reaching a bigger audience with ads, or perfecting your profile, each step you take is a step towards showcasing your brand.
6. Claim Your Territory
Don't forget to claim your website. This gives you access to valuable analytics and increases your credibility on Pinterest. Head to the Settings via the dropdown menu on your profile, select “Claimed accounts,” and follow the steps to claim your site.
Pro Tip: If you're on Shopify, there's a handy Pinterest app that makes this process even smoother.
7. Start Pinning
With your account all set, it's time to create boards and start pinning. This is where your brand comes to life on Pinterest. Share your ideas, products, and stories to connect with your audience and grow your business.
Mastering Pinterest: Boards, Pins, and Following
Pinterest isn't just another social network; it's a visual universe of ideas, inspiration, and exploration. Whether you're a seasoned pinner or new to the platform, understanding how to effectively create boards, add pins, and follow others can transform your Pinterest presence. Here’s a beginner-friendly guide to get you pinning like a pro.
Creating Boards and Pins
Starting with Boards:
Navigate to Your Profile: Click on the "Create" drop-down menu located in the upper-left corner of your profile page.
Board or Pin? You have the option to create a new pin or an idea pin. Idea pins are perfect for sharing comprehensive guides or recipes.
Adding a Pin: When creating a regular pin, you’ll be prompted to add a title and select or create a board for your pin. This is your chance to categorize your content in a way that's easy for your audience to discover.
Pro Tip: If you're browsing the web (especially on Chrome), look out for Pinterest extensions that let you pin content directly from websites.
Using the Mobile App:
The Pinterest app offers a unique feature where you can use your phone’s camera to snap a picture of something you're interested in, and the app will suggest similar pins. It’s particularly handy for finding inspiration for home decor, fashion, and food.
Key Takeaway
There are essentially seven steps to get your Pinterest business account up and running, from account creation to pinning your first post. Remember, it’s about creativity and engagement.
Pinterest for Business Strategies
Share Visually Appealing Content: The heart of Pinterest lies in its visual appeal. Create pins that not only catch the eye but also provide value or show your product in action. Vertical pins often perform the best, offering clarity and detailed insight into the topic.
Trend-Watching and Keyword Optimization: Keep an eye on Pinterest trends and use relevant keywords to make your content discoverable. Incorporating these keywords in your pin titles and descriptions can significantly boost your visibility.
Leverage Pinterest Ads: Promoted Pins can extend your reach by making your content visible to a broader audience. These ads blend in with regular pins but offer the advantage of targeted visibility, potentially leading to a snowball effect of engagement.
Dive into Pinterest Analytics: Understanding your audience is key. Pinterest Analytics offers insights into your viewers' demographics, behaviors, and preferences, enabling you to tailor your content strategy effectively.
Integrate the Save Button on Your Website: Make it easy for visitors to pin your content directly from your site by adding the Pinterest Save button. This not only enhances user experience but also increases the likelihood of your content being shared.
6. Crafting Fun and Unique Content
Create Gift Guides: Holidays and special occasions are perfect opportunities to curate boards that serve as gift guides. Mix in your products with picks from other brands to avoid making it look like a billboard for your business. This diversity adds value and can guide users in their gift-purchasing decisions.
Show off Playlists: Remember, Pinterest isn't limited to static images. Sharing music videos from YouTube to create themed playlists can add a dynamic element to your profile. This is especially engaging for communities like fitness enthusiasts on Pinterest, offering something different from the standard workout tips and equipment promotions.
Make a Reading List: Boards dedicated to articles and books related to your field can establish your brand as a thought leader and go-to source for valuable information. Consider also maintaining a secret board for personal reading lists, ensuring interesting finds are saved and easily accessible.
Do Giveaways: Pinning contests or promotions is an effective way to drive engagement on your page. Make sure these pins are visually appealing and clearly communicate the value of participating.
7. Leveraging Rich Pins
Rich Pins provide more context than a standard pin by automatically pulling additional information from your website. This feature keeps your pins updated with your website, ensuring users always have the latest info. There are three types of Rich Pins:
Article Pins: Show the headline, author, and description of your articles, making them stand out and easier to find.
Product Pins: Ideal for e-commerce, showing up-to-date pricing, product availability, and where to buy, enhancing the shopping experience directly on Pinterest.
Recipe Pins: Offer more than just a mouthwatering image; they include ingredients, cooking times, and serving sizes right on the pin.
To get started with Rich Pins, visit Pinterest’s Rich Pins setup page.
8. Participating in Group Boards
Group boards are collaborative boards where you can pin along with others. They're great for gathering ideas for projects or events and can significantly extend your reach since both the board owner’s audience and the collaborators’ followers see these pins.
9. Thinking of Pinterest as a Search Engine
While Pinterest functions as a social network, its powerful search capabilities resemble those of a search engine. Users often actively search for specific ideas or products. Optimizing your pins and boards with relevant keywords can improve your visibility on the platform.
Maximizing Pinterest for Business Success
Pinterest is not just a platform for inspiration; it’s a tool that can drive visibility and engagement for your brand. From creating compelling content to engaging with the community through group boards, every aspect of Pinterest offers an opportunity for growth. Utilize Pinterest's analytics, trend reports, and advertising options to tailor your strategy and content to your target audience, ensuring your business not only attracts but also retains customer interest on this dynamic platform.
