Is Pinterest The Right Platform For My Business?

If you decide it is, follow these helpful tips to make the best use of Pinterest.

Pinterest is quickly becoming the new “google” for anyone looking for anything the internet has to offer. This popular social media site has evolved far beyond the craft-enthusiast and home-cooking bulletin boards that dominated the early versions.

Pinterest is a content sharing site using online bulletin boards that users create by either reviewing what other people have “pinned” or by uploading or sharing their own content. Technically speaking, it’s a visual online bookmarking tool. Users browse websites and save ideas or images they like by “pinning” them on their Pinterest bulletin board—usually by theme. Early on, Pinterest was the go-to site for home-cooks, brides and new parents, today it’s grown to include just about every category found on the internet.

It’s no surprise that businesses are now flocking to the site in droves and are often left with the questions; Is Pinterest the right platform for every business? Some would argue yes. There are however, a few things to consider before jumping on the Pinterest bandwagon.

Is your company or brand lifestyle based? Do you communicate directly to your customer? Do you have high quality images to share? Answering yes to any of these questions would make Pinterest the right fit for your company. If you’re still unsure and need a visual aid, Intuit created this infographic to help guide people into making the decision.

Below are five tips to help you make the most of Pinterest should you decide it’s a good fit for your company and social media portfolio.

1. Set up your profile with your brand in mind—match up your social media profiles (simple to do with Twitter) so that you have consistency across your accounts. Always verify your site with Pinterest—this lets the users know that you actually own the content that you share from your verified website. Follow these simple steps.

2. Add the “Pin it” button to your site, as well as your browser. Plugins and new widgets make it simple for the user to share your images from with a simple click. Adding the “Pin It” logo to each page of your site will direct the user to your Pinterest account as well. Great content will get you more followers.

3. Create bulletin boards that closely match your brand or company. You can create any number of boards and remember to stay within the interests of the company. It would seem odd for a wedding planner to have a fishing lure themed board, so choose them carefully. Populate the boards with your own images and images from other sources. The key here is “sharing” and not exclusively pushing your own content. Diversify your boards and consider creating an open board that your “fans” can upload their own images to. Inviting your current customers or fans to share their content to your board reinforces relationship marketing and will highlight your profile within their communities.

4. Images drive the entire site. Good images, regardless of content, will be shared more than poor quality images. Follow the quality over quantity rule. If your site or company is content based, always use an image with the title of the content on the image. Give the reason someone should pin, click and share.

Photographers and artists should also consider a watermark to ensure ownership credits.

5. Finally, add the Pinterest tab to your Facebook business page, this announces to your current customers, fans, and the world, that you are now sharing on Pinterest. Ultimately, building your community through Pinterest will dramatically expand your online reach giving your images and content exposure to a much broader audience.

Is Pinterest The Right Platform For My Business?