At LSi Media, we love Pinterest.  From a marketing perspective, it is one of the few “best-kept secrets.”  There’s some debate over its usefulness in mainstream marketing – especially given its high concentration of female users, but for those who are concerned with social media marketing and engagement and accelerating Brand Awareness, it is powerful…

Well, the holidays are over, taxes are rapidly approaching their due date, and all those January 1st social media prediction posts should have run their course. So, this is not a prediction article, these are all valid reasons why you can’t ignore it any longer this year.

Pinterest is one of the fastest-growing platforms around.  Techcrunch reported in November that Pinterest grew 57% in overall member growth while Facebook’s member base grew by 6% it is also the second-largest driver of social media traffic after Facebook.

Pinterest also just recently announced the acquisition of Kosei, which has some of the best minds in machine learning and data science.  Why is this important?  Jillian D’Onfro wrote for Business Insider that “Pinterest wants to fill the gap between an idea and a specific search. It wants to help people find things they didn’t know they were looking for or when they only have the faintest glimmer of an idea. If it can nail visual search, it can nail search advertising, and if it can nail search advertising, it will be taking on a market traditionally dominated by Google’s AdWords.”

Pinterest may be on its way to conquering the visual search market.  Many foodies that I’ve talked to have told me that the first place to look for new recipes is now Pinterest, not Google Search. It has established itself with a solid user base, but it is still new enough that businesses can still reap some of the rewards of getting on it before their competition does. Here’s a great video on the Power of Social Media and its impact on one of your business’s most important assets: it’s Brand.

Social Media Examiner recently asked marketers which form of content they most want to learn about in 2015.  Creating original visual assets took first place.  70% of marketers plan to increase their use of original visual assets in 2015.  With a more crowded marketplace and businesses and marketers wanting to break through the noise, visual marketing is what many are turning to. Creating great-looking images has never been easier with tools like Canva, PicMonkey, and WordSwag.  With the ability to create images that are optimized for Pinterest easily, it’s a great way to continually drive traffic back to your website or product.

In Conclusion

It is imperative for businesses to have a presence on the platform in order to maximize their social business potential. Pinterest is a visually appealing platform that allows businesses to showcase their products or services to a vast audience. With over 450 million monthly active users, it offers a unique opportunity for businesses to increase brand exposure and drive traffic to their websites.

Additionally, it provides valuable insights and data analytics that enable businesses to understand their target audience better and tailor their marketing strategies accordingly. By utilizing Pinterest, businesses can create an engaging and interactive online presence that enhances their overall social business strategy. In today’s digital age, where visual content reigns supreme, it is essential for businesses to leverage platforms like this to stay competitive and connect with their audience in a meaningful way.

FAQs:

1. What is Pinterest and how does it relate to social business?

It is a social media platform that allows users to discover, save, and share visual content in the form of images or “pins”. It can be a valuable tool for social business as it provides a platform to showcase products, services, and ideas visually, and engage with an audience through boards and pins.

2. How can Pinterest help maximize social business efforts?

It can help maximize social business efforts by driving traffic to your website or online store through visually appealing pins. It allows you to showcase your products, services, and expertise, which can increase brand visibility and attract potential customers. Additionally, it can help you understand and engage with your target audience, learn about their preferences, and provide them with valuable content.

3. What types of businesses benefit the most from being on Pinterest?

Various types of businesses can benefit from being on it, including e-commerce stores, fashion and beauty brands, home decor and interior design companies, food and recipe blogs, travel agencies, and lifestyle influencers. However, any business that can visually represent its products, services, or values can leverage social business.

4. How can I create an effective Pinterest strategy?

To create an effective strategy for social business, start by defining your goals and target audience. Research popular trends and topics relevant to your industry and create boards and pins that align with these interests. Optimize your pins with relevant keywords, engaging descriptions, and attractive visuals. Regularly interact with your audience, follow influencers, and collaborate with other businesses for increased exposure.

5. Can Pinterest be used for B2B social business?

Yes, it can be used for B2B social business as well. While it may not be the primary platform for B2B marketing, it can still be valuable in showcasing your industry expertise, sharing infographics, case studies, and other visual content that educates your target audience. Utilize this to curate boards related to industry insights, tips, and tricks, and establish your brand as a thought leader.

6. How do I measure the success of my Pinterest social business efforts?

There are several ways to measure the success of your social business efforts. Track the number of followers, re-pins, and comments to gauge engagement levels. Monitor referral traffic from Pinterest to your website using Google Analytics. Pay attention to metrics such as click-through rates, conversion rates, and average order value for e-commerce sites. Compare your performance with industry benchmarks to understand your position and identify areas for improvement.

Source: MaximizeSocialBusiness.com