Ten ways to get it right on Pinterest
There are ways of getting your message out and then there are the right ways to get your message out and bolster your business.
Take just Pinterest alone, there are a number of pitfalls that everyone using this space for business should give careful thought to.
But let’s make it easy, let’s make it a list. That’s one of the first things to learn, make your information easily digestible, small chunks, big ideas.
So here goes:
1. Make words work
Pinterest pin descriptions can be as long as 500 characters, so make that work for you, say something Pinteresting! Use related phrases and even hashtags to maximize your pin’s potential and reach. Link back to your website or other social media pages to drive traffic your way. Make those words count.
2. Link to your product pages
Want to wind up anyone Pinterest-ed in your product then leave off the product page link. No instant click through no success, no happy follower. Consider whether you have the time to hunt down an item, then why would someone else if you haven’t joined the dots for your follower? This is a quick fix to drive sales. Also track your UTM codes this way you can measure the performance of each link. Take Urban Outfitters, their Pinterest is full of their own products. Each one links to the product page, with UTM codes to track clicks. Easy when you know how.
3. Complete your Board
An empty or incomplete Board looks unprofessional. Full stop. The easy way round this is to only create a Board when you have five images, that way you have a main image and four thumbnails. The Pinterest community is used to seeing complete and slick Boards, to ignore this is to treat them with contempt. You could also choose to set up a secret board. Keep it hidden and when you have five and are ready to reveal you’ll look slick.
4. Don’t walk away!
If you no longer want to use Pinterest to promote your business, do not just leave it unloved and unfilled. Followers will wonder what’s going on. It’s easy to simply close down the channel if it is not the one for your business while you pursue some other social avenue .. and do that one properly. If you don’t know what you’re doing, admit defeat.
5. It’s all about the images
Pinterest is a visual medium. Poor photos, poor results. Pinterest users expect good quality, striking images. Your product is sitting in the same space as others with the same or similar ranges. Get it right and you’ll win out, get it wrong and you look like a poor relation. It’s not difficult, be strict about your visuals. If your images aren’t inspirational or vivid or motivational they have no place on Pinterest.
6. Put the price on it
Since Pinterest pins that include the price get 36 percent more likes than those without, there’s no reason not to provide the cost of the item. Most Pinners have wish boards for future projects and so it makes sense to include potential costs to help make that project a reality. With your brand as part of that finished project.
7. Ensure your brand appears across Pinterest
By completing your profile you are explaining who you are and what you do. Visitors can therefore learn so much more about your brand. Make sure you use your business logo to ensure a consistent visual cue and as your pins are re-pinned your branding will always appear, making you look professional and credible.
8. Make it mobile
mobile Pinterest has moved beyond the desktop. It makes sense to move or make your images un-pinnable from mobile devices. ‘Pin It’ hover buttons are popular as a way of increasing engagement with site visitors. Consider a mobile-first design way of working so that you keep those customers who view on the move at the front of your strategy.
9. B2B on Pinterest
Think this isn’t part of the equation? Think again. There are a great many users who are targeting other businesses to grow relationships use Pinterest .. one network alone boasts more than 600,000 B2B members. So its worth giving this social platform a bit of thought for making business connections.
10. Link to your other social media
Don’t leave your Pinterest following hanging on a limb, bring them into the fold with links to your Facebook page and Twitter account and vice versa. It’s essential to make sure that you can be found easily by anyone interested in what you’re doing. With the right strategy all of these will knit together seamlessly and create a great impression across the social space.
Would you like us to help with your social media strategy? contact us to learn how we can help myrid.ramsay@cobaltink.co.uk