How to Pin Successfully for your Business

Staying up to date on the current trends in digital marketing and social media is vital for marketers. One of the biggest social media websites on the rise (or possibly at its peak) is Pinterest, a site that allows users to make a visual scrapbook of ideas, images and the like. Actually, I’m almost certain you’ve heard of it and have probably already checked it out. It’s the third most popular social networking site, behind Facebook and Twitter, so it’s also possible you already have your own Pinterest account and are a crazed pinner, like me. With so many active users, businesses and marketers alike are now wondering “How can we use Pinterest and is it right for us?”

Is Pinterest right for your business?

• Businesses involved in the selling of tangible goods can easily use the photos of their items directly on their website and organize the items into boards on Pinterest. This way an average pinner can stumble on the photo and if she likes what she sees, she can click on the photo and be directed to the website to purchase the item.
• Businesses that are somehow related to the most commonly created boards—crafts, fashion, food, weddings, art, travel, et cetera—will be more successful, because people will want to repin from your boards.
• Pinterest is also an outlet for businesses to share their personality and brand. This means that you don’t necessarily have to be pinning just what your business is selling or has to offer, but you should also pin other things customers might be interested in. Your business needs to have a strong brand identity and be prepared for the extra effort of creating those additional boards.
• Pinterest is very visual. That’s what sets it apart from other social media websites. This makes Pinterest ideal for any businesses involved in the creation of a visual product.

Tips to Using Pinterest:

• Pin things people will want to repin. This is the only way you will gain followers and engage people in your business.
• Add original content to your boards and share your creativity. Since Pinterest generates a lot of referral traffic, pinning unique content means pinners will want to go to the website where the original image came from (your website!). 
• Be active. Don’t just make an account and never return to it or you will never show up in your follower’s feed. It’s really the same idea as Facebook—you need to maintain an active presence in order to gain interest.

To fellow pinners out there, Point B has joined your ranks! Follow us.