In a relatively short span, Pinterest has climbed the ranks to become the third most significant social network, right behind Facebook and Twitter, even surpassing giants like Google+ in the process.
This remarkable achievement for a platform still in its youth begs the question: Can we leverage Pinterest’s massive popularity for our own online initiatives? Is it feasible to incorporate Pinterest into our digital marketing arsenal, alongside stalwarts like Twitter and Facebook, to forge an online presence for our businesses and engage with our target audience?
The answer is a resounding yes! This article will delve into strategies that can help us achieve this very goal.
The Secret to Pinterest’s Success
Several factors contribute to Pinterest’s wide appeal:
- The innate human inclination to discover, acquire, and disseminate appealing content. It’s human nature to seek out new and fascinating things related to our interests. Poetry enthusiasts, for example, are always on the lookout for captivating verses, much like web design aficionados gravitate towards inspirational sites and design showcases.
- Shared interests foster community. Consider a web designer who remains in close contact with peers and habitually exchanges innovative ideas and resources in the field. Pinterest provides a global stage for such interactive sharing.
- Inquisitive minds are drawn to exploring the interests of others. This curiosity is a driving force behind the success of social networks. Starting from Orkut and MySpace to the current days of Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, the craving to connect is evident.
- Let’s face it, we’re all captivated by visuals. Photos have a universal allure.
How Does Pinterest Function?
Pinterest’s operations are pretty straightforward: if you find something intriguing, you pin it, and if it resonates with your network, they repin it, creating a continuous cycle. While similar interactions are possible on most social networking sites, Pinterest’s edge lies in offering a highly curated, interest-based experience to users.
Take Facebook, where you consume your news feed linearly — sifting through various posts until you find something relevant. Pinterest stands out by filtering out the irrelevant, allowing you to immerse in what truly interests you.
Maximizing Pinterest’s Potential for Your Brand
While fundamentals like consistency and relevance are universal across social networks, let’s focus on what specifically makes Pinterest unique and beneficial for your business.
Emphasizing Interests
Clearly, Pinterest’s community thrives on its diverse and content-driven nature. Unlike other social platforms where fake profiles and trolling can be prevalent, Pinterest’s environment allows for a deeper focus on subjects that capture your audience’s attention. Browsing popular boards gives you insights into what content is gaining traction with shares and repins.
Striking Presentation
Consider the LinkedIn profile of Dainis Graveris. His boards are a testament to well-rounded content curation, blending popular blog posts with more general topics that resonate with the audience, from design humor to film posters. This range in presentation not only charms visitors but encourages repeated engagement due to the varied and captivating content.
A slick presentation can do wonders in marking your Pinterest profile as a valued resource among users.
Visual Storytelling
Unlike text-centric platforms, Pinterest prioritizes imagery. As you peruse the site, you’ll notice visuals with captions, making compelling images critical for conveying your message and brand identity effectively.
Engaging With the Community
Sharing high-value content is your first step, but recognizing and interacting with those who contribute great content is just as important. Engaging via repins and comments signals your commitment to the community and willingness to be part of a collective effort.
Further engagement can be achieved by hosting group boards or contests, stirring up participation, and fostering a strong connection with your audience.
Content Diversity
Turning back to Dainis Graveris’ profile, his diverse array of boards span a broad spectrum of topics, from entertainment to fashion and beyond. Offering a wide variety of content can entice new followers and keep your presence fresh and exciting.
You wouldn’t want your brand to seem monotonous or uninteresting, after all.
Expansion and Visibility
Quality content must reach an audience to make an impact. Utilize hashtags, which Pinterest supports, to enhance searchability and facilitate broader content distribution through Pinterest’s sharing mechanisms.
Final Thoughts
Pinterest, with its growing user base, is an indispensable social media platform for individuals and businesses aiming for success. Placing your quality content on Pinterest not only captivates potential clients and customers but solidifies your niche market presence.
Do you use Pinterest to enhance your business visibility? Want to share any success stories or tips? Feel free to share in the comments below.
