You’ve probably heard about the new social media company with the clever name, Pinterest, but you may be wondering whether you need yet another social network to update. Only two years old, Pinterest is the fastest growing social network in internet history, even faster than Facebook. It is now 3rd in popularity after Facebook and Twitter. Its primary users are women 25-44, and research shows women trust friend recommendations on Pinterest over many other sites.
Just why is Pinterest so popular? It’s because we live in a visual society, for one, and people have more time for pictures than for words. That’s why Facebook increased the size of their images and added a large “cover” image to each profile: They know that posts with images generate twice the engagement.
The other reason Pinterest is loved is because it’s a cinch to use. You can begin to create image or video “boards,” and then “pin” images of things that interest you, hence the name.
After downloading an applet which adds a “Pin it” button to your browser, you can use it to pin images you find online. You can also upload your own images to one of your themed boards. Each pin links back to the original site, providing an attractive visual board of bookmarks. Other Pinterest users can “like” and comment on pins, or even re-pin them to their own boards. Sharing pins is a key part of the Pinterest community.
See Nashville Wraps on Pinterest.
Promote Your Business with Pinterest
Businesses have jumped on board, realizing the power of promoting themselves with visual content. However, the idea is not to replicate your own website, pin only your own products, or only link back to your own website or blog. The key is to show your customers who you are by the images you pin – a perfect way to add personality to your brand!
Pin images that interest you, inspire you or fit with your brand’s aesthetic. Pin things you think your customers would enjoy. If you are going to pin your own product, try choosing images that showcase your product in new ways. To see a great example of this, take a look at Chobani’s Pinterest boards.
Interesting, eye-catching pins can easily go viral from all the sharing they receive. This can drive traffic to your website and social media sites because each pin links back to its original source.
If you’re thinking you don’t have time for another social site, Pinterest is easy to set up – you can create beautiful boards in no time. It doesn’t require daily maintenance the others do. I encourage you to start pinning today and even consider adding a Pinterest follow button to your website. You’ll open the gate to a whole new set of followers and potential customers.
Please share your Pinterest link below and tell us how you’re using it in your business.
Pinterest is a natural social media tool for our business, personalized gifts & stationery. Our goal is to grow our business through connecting with customers (and potential customers) on a personal level…not always pushing our products, but developing our own personality and a real relationship with readers & followers.
Pinterest is such a great tool to do this. We hired a college girl to pin everything from our products to hairstyles to recipes to decorating, fashion, travel & more! The possibilites are endless in the connections that we can make and develop. And, as a small business owner when I’m up late at night working on Pinterest, I get to use the excuse that I’m working!
Hi Lynne,
We really appreciate your comments and suggestions. We’ll pass along your ribbon requests to our product managers. All the best to you and your business!
I was so TICKLED when Nashville Wraps started following my wedding product boards. I use Pinterest as a Portfolio of finished orders from my Etsy store. Whenever anyone from Etsy contacts me about wedding programs, fans, signs, candles, table numbers, etc I will give them links to my “pinterest portfolio” so they can see far more than my basic images on Etsy. I have also gotten orders from people that found me on Pinterest. Wonderful marketing tool. Plus I have found great recipes, decorating tips, etc. Last Saturday I spent the day dying mason jars in assorted colors, an idea and process I learned from Etsy. Nashville Wraps, I try and buy as much of my satin ribbons from you all as I can since you are less than 60 miles from my Bowling Green home. I wish you all would expand your offerings in this catergory. I could give you a list of colors I and thousands of brides use that you don’t offer. Hopefully you will look at expanding that. If you would ever like input from a wedding professional I would love to chat. But in the meantime I love reading your blog and using your products when I can. Lynne aka The Wreath Artist
As a small gift store, I find Pinterest to be another great way to emphasize the person behind the store. My (awardwinning) NJ gift shop focuses on country and vintage inspired home decor, but my customers may not know that I also have a thing for robots and Nutella 🙂
I currently have about 3000+ followers; many who follow my community holiday decorating boards. If anyone would like to participate on these boards, please email me.