What Is It?
Pinterest is a website that allows you to create virtual pinboards to collect items like photos, videos, recipes, quotes, etc. from websites and organize them by topic. You can share your items with other Pinterest users and comment each other’s items. Users can search by topic to find items on Pinterest that match their query. If they see an item they like, they can re-pin the item to their pinboard.
Popular items include: clothing, housewares, crafts, food & drink, technology, fitness, weddings, and travel.
Pinterest users are expected to give proper credit to the items they pin – thus sharing the source with the Pinterest community. Pinterest usage is heavily tied to Facebook and Twitter (you need a Facebook or Twitter account just to sign up with Pinterest) so there’s a chance that your pinned items could quickly go viral.
How Can Your Business Benefit?
If you sell products, especially to a female audience, then Pinterest can benefit your business.
Promote your products through images and video
You can spread the word about your products through Pinterest if your product’s images are unique or appealing. When you or your customers pin an image, they will link back to your website where the image originates, ideally bringing traffic to your site. Through the power of pinning, you can gain new customers.
Keep track of trends in your industry
Want to keep up with the latest trends in your industry to predict what your customers will be asking for next? Do a search for a topic on Pinterest and see what people are pinning. Read user comments to gain insight into likes and dislikes.
Evaluate new products
Considering adding a new item to your product line? Pin it to your board and keep track of user comments. You can gauge interest before you commit to purchasing the product.
What Should You Do?
Create a Pinterest account
The first step is to request an invite from Pinterest.com. Approximately one week later you will receive an email invitation to join. You will need a Facebook or Twitter account to sign up.
Pin items to your boards
Create categorized boards and start pinning. The more active you are, the more people will see your items. Comment on items and encourage others to provide feedback.
Show interest in other items
Don’t be selfish by just uploading pictures of your products. Look at items that other people are pinning. Find images of products that are a natural fit with what you sell, then pin or comment on them. For example, if you sell custom marble countertops, pin images of kitchens and bathrooms that are decorated nicely – even if they didn’t come from your showroom.
Be subtle
Yes, you are trying to promote your business and products through Pinterest, but don’t make it obvious. This is a friendly, sharing site. While we expect to see advertisements on Pinterest one day, right now, all promotion is through word-of-mouth. Encourage it but don’t exploit it.