Easy Small Business Marketing Through Pinterest

Pinterest and Small Business Marketing?

As a small business, the last thing you might want to hear is the need to join yet another social network. Before you cringe, let’s look as some very important statistics. Pinterest is the fastest growing social network ever and now over 8 years old and has a total of 200 million users. Users include 40% men and 60% women.

Pinterest was created for individual users but as of 2016 there are around 1,000,000 businesses using it. The only catch is you market through images versus text. Strangely enough, many businesses are finding this method easier. Take some pictures, post them to themed boards and watch visitors start interacting. Unlike most other social networks, the visual factor of Pinterest keeps users on the site for longer periods, meaning a better chance of visitors finding and sharing your boards.

The Basics of Pinterest

Before you join Pinterest, you need to know the lingo. Pinterest is made up of boards. Think of boards as digital cork boards. Every board should have a theme. For instance, a furniture business might have a board for each room they make furniture for.

When uploading an image, you “pin” it to your board. Whenever someone shares an image, the process is called “repinning”. Believe it or not, this is really all you need to know to get started and at least look like you know what you’re doing.

What To Pin

The biggest question most businesses have is what to pin. You likely have far more pinnable content than you think. Some of the more common images for businesses include:

• Products
• Customers using products
• Employees performing services
• Stills from videos you’ve created
• Book covers
• Infographics
• Comics
• Blogs (any image that represents the blog’s content)

As you can see, you have quite a few images to choose from. Pinning images related to a blog post, article or video allows you to create a link back to your site or wherever your video is posted. You can also use the blog or video’s title as the image caption.

Feel free to get a creative with your images. Tutorials and humorous images are usually the most shared. You could even create a promotion image that is a collage of prices and a few contest details. Promotions are also extremely popular among Pinterest users.

I have 3 boards that I maintain. They display a unique side of me as a mom, photographers and entrepreneur.

Building Followers

After determining what to pin, you need someone to actually see your boards. If you’re already on other social networks, promote your new Pinterest activity there. However, the best way is to get involved. Follow other users, repin content and leave comments on boards or images you like. Only interact with other users if it is truly something you like or something that relates to your business in some way. False interactions could actually hurt your account.

Have Fun

Pinterest is popular because it’s fun. Take some time to explore the site. If you relax and have fun, you’ll quickly find Pinterest is an extremely easy platform to use and love.

Do you use Pinterest? Share your link below!