Advanced techniques: 5 ways to use Pinterest for Business

In my last post about Pinterest, we discussed building a profile, creating boards and other basics of Pinterest. But what we we didn’t cover is how to use Pinterest to drive traffic to your website and ultimately, drive sales. Read on to find out how Pinterest greatly increases the likelihood of your products gaining viral popularity and how to take advantage.
1. Market via email

As I mentioned already, Pinterest can be a really powerful tool to drive online traffic. If you market your business via email, feature Pinterest in your emails, much like Allrecipes does. Encouraging your fans to pin your products or services helps build a wide-reaching community on the platform.

2. Talk mostly about others (and a little about yourself)

This is the same rule you should use on other social media platforms. Talk mostly about other businesses, ideas and news, and a little bit about yourself. The Social Media 80/20 rule is popular - but I like to talk less about myself and even more about others in my content (my mix is probably 85/15 or 90/10). That way, you make real connections with your followers and other social media users before you even plug your products at all.

3. Make use of Keywords

Pinterest’s search engine is a powerful tool - and it’s the main way that Pinterest users will find your content. Make sure you use search-optimized keywords in both the board description and any applicable pins. Learn how to determine which keywords to use in your Pinterest boards.

4. Mix your media

Though Pinterest used to be a place where only photos were posted, now business owners can post many kinds of media to their boards. To keep it interesting and gain a loyal following, mix it up! A combination of photos, videos, slides, quotes or text, and infographics will keep your audience paying attention to what you have to say.

5. Embed pins in your content

Embedding pins in your content is a surefire way to get more eyeballs on your products. Pinterest’s embedding capabilities allow pinners to embed products anywhere on their websites. While this is a strategy that’s good for every business to know - it’s especially important for businesses who don’t sell on their websites.

Placing pins within your blog (and encouraging others to do the same) will raise awareness for your items. And those visiting your site will be able to repin products directly from your website to their Pinterest boards. Learn how to embed pins in your website in this blog.

Are you using Pinterest to build your brand? I’d love to hear from you. If you’d like to share ideas or are interested in discussing more about Pinterest, social media or marketing in general, please feel free to check out my website or drop me a line at jackie@jackiesteinmetz.com.