Granted: Facebook’s more than one billion registered users are hard to ignore and Twitter’s 500 million users are intriguing, but if you haven’t considered adding Pinterest to your social media marketing mix, you’re missing out on some great opportunities.
What is Pinterest?
Pinterest, launched in 2010, is the fastest-growing social media site in history. Already, the site boasts more than 85 million registered users, 64 to 85 percent of whom are women, according to Mashable.com. Pinterest works like a virtual bulletin board, allowing users to “pin” Web pages and images that interest them to themed boards that either they create or are created by other users. Like most social media sites, Pinterest allows users to share their boards with one another and to “cross-share” on Facebook.
Ways to connect with customers on Pinterest
So, what does this mean to content marketers? If your product or service appeals to the Pinterest demographic, using Pinterest is a chance to get your marketing message in front of potential customers without their having to wade through the myriad of irrelevant posts on Facebook and/or Twitter. How can you do that? Below are just a few ideas to get you thinking.
1. Show how to use your product. Customers respond to visual clues. It’s much easier to show a customer how to use your product than to tell them. On Pinterest, you can create a board of pictures showing the different uses for your product or service.
2. Share tips. Sharing your knowledge of your industry is a proven Internet marketing strategy. By doing this, customers come to trust you and your company and will turn to you when they need your product. On Pinterest, you can create an entire board of such tips.
3. Pin testimonials. Rather than list testimonials at the bottom of your Web page, create a visual board of positive comments, using writers images (with permission). Such a presentation makes the words seem more real.
4. Create holiday boards. Practically every month has at least one holiday. Harness that seasonal interest by creating boards that show how to use your product for each holiday.
5. Share employee profiles. Let your potential customers get to know your staff by creating an employee Pinterest board. For instance, if you offer writers for hire, you could post a thumbnail profile of each writer with his or her picture and writing specialty.
Pinterest may not be a perfect fit for every company. However, don’t dismiss it as having no marketing potential. The site’s rapid growth and visual appeal make it worth considering.
Sandy M is a freelance writer available on WriterAccess, a marketplace where clients and expert writers connect for assignments.
