Pinterest now open for business
Posted by Eleanor Berney on Wed, Aug 15, 2012
The growth of Pinterest is nothing if not remarkable. Yet, up until recently, the social network was still technically an invite-only beta. One of the reasons for this was the company's desire to maintain the feeling of exclusivity. But now, Pinterest believes it's ready and has brought its social network out of beta. Anyone who wants to start pinning can join Pinterest without an invite using an email address, Twitter or Facebook account.
Now that Pinterest is open to all, the ‘clique’ social network can almost certainly bank on an influx of users.
What's behind the growth of Pinterest?
Pinterest certainly has mainstream appeal and impressive early growth. Unlike Facebook and Twitter, it doesn’t focus the attention on the user but the material. Pinterest is visual and great visual content is key.
Pinterest’s unique character and the differences from other social media platforms have both helped it to become so successful. But now that it's no longer invite-only, will it still maintain it's position? If there is a burst of newcomers on Pinterest, the quality of the network and content shared could be compromised. Spammers, in particular, are always a concern for social networks. Yet, the appeal of Pinterest seems unlikely to be dented if more people are able to enjoy using the platform.
So, how do you utilise Pinterest now it's open for business?
1.Make Time For It
Like any social network, and maybe even more because of Pinterest’s visual nature, it requires an investment in time. It’s important to pin post related to your product in order for your account to provide any real business aid. But, it's just as important to repin content from other boards. This will give your account personality and help you to engage better with other pinners.
2. Keep It Simple
The main appeal of Pinterest is that the site is exceptionally easy to use. Everyone has a “board” where they pin images that are all the same size and it is best to mimic Pinterest's uncluttered aesthetic. Each pin can have a click through link back to your site which can boost your traffic considerably.
3. Interlink Your Accounts
Include Pinterest buttons on your websites, so others can find your account. This helps to integrate your social media efforts. Also, consider sharing your Pinterest activity on other social media platforms. For instance, it's very simple to send a tweet, sharing your latest pin with your Twitter following.
4. Target The Right Audience
Pinterest’s users are mainly 25-39 middle class women. Don’t just set up an account just because Pinterest has opened up to public use and hope you'll find prospective customers. Make an active effort to appeal to your target audience, when setting up an account.
5. Daily Pin Theme
Just like with any content creation, making sure you maintain your efforts on Pinterest is an important part of growing your following. Think about having daily themed pins, as these encourage repeat visitors and follows. This will take some time and forward planning, but it pays off. It will help to increase your following and also generate traffic for both your Pinterest account and your site.
6. Promote More Than Products
It's a bit of a cliche that social media should be about conversation and not just product, but it's also true. The temptation for any business is to post pins only about the products and services you provide. However, this will not generate engagement. It is far better to repin other things on boards as well.
7. Follow Other Pinners
One of the best ways to raise awareness about your company is to start connecting with other people on Pinterest. This is the proven method on Twitter: When you follow popular figures, and they follow you back and others will follow.
Want to find out more about using Pinterst for business? Take a look at our free whitepaper
