Pinterest - its the newest, greatest social media tool... according to some, well many actually, with 10.4 million registered users and growth of 4000%. It is also a serious marketing tool.
Pinterest is the fastest growing social media site for lead generation. Look past the pretty party ideas and interiors pictures to use it drive serious traffic to your website. In January 2012, Pinterest drove more traffic to websites than YouTube, LinkedIn, Google+ COMBINED. Serious stuff indeed.
A virtual pinboard, users "pin" images and videos to "boards" on their areas of interest. It's simple, addictive and a creative outlet for many. "Real Simple" magazine in the US received more visitors via Pinterest than via Facebook in October last year.
It may take some time for you to "get" Pinterest- I've heard a number of people and clients saying that it doesn't apply to them - they are B2B or theirs is not a visual business. I've put together some ideas for you to get Pinterest to work for you.
- Use images in your blog posts and link to these in Pinterest. Think carefully about your website content and how you can use images that your buyers might want to "Pin" to their own boards. Use images you already have on your site, use blog articles, infographics and data charts- these are big on Pinterest right now.
- Pinterest is a great way to promote your ebooks- quick to download and if you use simple, clear titles that are easy to read-they will be repinned. Our friends at Hubspot do this very well!
- One of the key things to remember is that, as in all social media activity, don't get too "shouty" or self promotional. Pinterest is about sharing, so play nicely and as always think about what your customer might like to see or watch!
- Promote your Pinterest boards on all your social media and website. Your website should have easy to click buttons for each site. Your customers may love to pin but not tweet.. give them the option to follow you where THEY want to.
Still not convinced-here are some big brands and how they use Pinterest:
- Scholastic Books have created boards on "Bookish Bedrooms," "Book Art," and "Bling for Bookworms," and made it a go to destination for teachers, librarians and book lovers.
- General Electric- doesn't spring to mind as a visual company- but their Pinterest site is great- boards on "Cool Machines" and "That's Genius!" give a fairly 'dry' company personality and a voice
- Barack Obama- yes, the real one- His team launched boards this week with: "Organizers, infographics, murals, and cake - now pinning all of the above for #Obama2012"
AND, yes- we are there too!! Come check out tomtom communication on Pinterest.. we will keep you updated on marketing ideas, cool stuff we find and yes, possibly an attractive lampshade.
