How To Use Pinterest

Share your Interests through Pictures

Pinterest is a social networking site that is growing by leaps and bounds. For business people who want to promote their business then, they will find that Pinterest will nicely support and supplement their promotional activities on other social media sites as well. The concept behind Pinterest is rather simple – you “pin” images like you would thumbtack lists or pictures on a bulletin board. But, in this case, you will be using an online board to share your pictorial interests with others in the Pinterest community.

Pinning Up Images Related to your Niche

Therefore, this site, like other social media sites, can be used for personal or business reasons. However, you simply cannot sign up and start networking. You need an invitation to join the community. Nevertheless, once you become a member, you will enjoy using this unique site. For instance, if you own a restaurant, you can use Pinterest to upload pictures of dishes in your restaurant or individual recipes. Or, if you own a dog grooming business, you may want to upload dog grooming tips or pictures of certain breeds.

You Can Add Images in a Number of Ways

Pinning content to your board is facilitated by a “Pin It Button.” Once you find the image you want to add, all you have to do is click the button and choose the associated image. Upload images online or saved images on your computer. Or, you can copy and paste the link to the picture and the Pinterest site will add the image. You can even add images to the site by way of your iPhone.

An Invitation for Social Commentary

Uploading and sharing images invites a lot of social interaction and commentary. When you “pin” an image on your board, people in your community can remark on the picture or share it on Facebook by "liking" it.

Be Indirect in your Approach toward Marketing

However, you want to make sure when you are placing and sharing pics that you do so with some discretion. You don’t want to merely “pin” images to your board. Make sure that they relate to your niche or business interests. Otherwise, you will be perceived as a spammer. So, make full use of the Pinterest site by “liking” pinned images on Facebook and making comments about pins in addition to pinning your own unique images as well. Don’t be conspicuous about promoting your business. Use an indirect, subtle approach and, in time, you will gain a following that will also be interested in your business too.

Use Pinterest to Assess the Likeability of your Product or Service

Needless to say then, you cannot directly sell products on Pinterest. However, you can add a dollar sign to your image’s description which creates a price banner on the site. Add your site’s URL so viewers can click on the link and possibly make a purchase. You can also provide images that highlight customers using your product or service. This type of visual also gives you a good idea about what people think about some of your company’s offerings. Therefore, use the Pinterest platform as a type of research tool. Reviewing comments and seeing how many repins certain pictures receive can help you make better decisions with respect to your own marketing.

Check out the New Ebook by Hubspot -  How to Use Pinterest for Business