written by Michelle Murray | November 4th, 2012
Let’s face it – people LOVE to waste time online – scrolling through Twitter feeds, through Facebook, catching up on the day – playing Words with Friends and watching the latest Gangnam Style video on YouTube – it’s quite easy to spend 2-3 hours playing online without even realizing it.
Enter Pinterest the newest most fabulous time waster of them all…since my invitation in 2011 – I’ve been pinning and drooling merrily away on delicious recipes, architecturally stunning backyards and DYI boards – pinning, re-pinning and rejoicing in what has become to me, the most valuable tool that both the amateur and professional social media driven person should devote time to every single day.
In less than two years, Pinterest has achieved more than any other social media networking site – passing 10 million users faster than Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn. Rumour has it that Pinterest may be capable of driving more referral traffic to you than Twitter – so why is it only as little as one percent of small businesses are cashing in on the pin board gold mine (according to Venture Beat).
Shouldn’t businesses take this opportunity as the ultimate showcase showdown to show off their wares, thoughts, and recipes in a beautifully organized fashion? To me, it just makes marketing sense to add Pinterest to your daily social media content growth.
XNow that Pinterest is open without an invitation, it’s easy to login – by using Twitter or Facebook (it’s recommended that businesses use their Twitter accounts for branding as Facebook pages are not currently connected to the login process) – you can sign up and start pinning in minutes. Easy as 1,2,3!
Like all social media marketing and promoting, there are rules and manners when it comes to pinning for business. While many businesses are online to self promote, it’s important to remember “it’s not always all about you” it’s important to follow, like, re-pin, share from the Internet, and engage your followers.
Other quick tips on Pinning
- Follow Top Pinners
- Engage your ideal client by pinning what they like
- Don’t always pin about you and your business
- Thank people for repining, and comment on like minded pins
- Space out your pins so you’re not pinning in one chunk (like Facebook) people don’t like their walls full of YOU.
- Be honest with copy writing
- Always pick top notch images
- Get your blog primped for pinning.
If you’re looking for a great article on how small businesses are using Pinterest and succeeding, check out Entrepreneur’s article “How 4 Small Businesses Are Winning on Pinterest” or Jason Miles’ new book “Pinterest Power”.
And like the peeps from Pinterest tell us all the time – Happy Pinning!
@MisherMash
Michelle Murray
Born and raised in Northern Ontario, Michelle has spent the last 13 years living in Banff and British Columbia. She has always had a desire to market, promote, and share through music, community, and social awareness.
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