5 Tips: Pinterest for Businesses

Written by: Doug Ridley

As a web design agency, we get to work with many visually creative folks. Over the past few weeks, Pinterest has been the topic of many conversations. Last week we shared some tips on how to get started on Pinterest, and it quickly became a favorite with our readers. This week we’re back to share five great ways we’re using Pinterest and how businesses can take advantage of this new visual network.

1. Let your freak flag fly

Here at Vital we have a lot of fun. To share this fun we’ve created three different boards specific to our culture. Sometimes it’s inspirational quotes, while other times it’s an orange Vespa or Lamborghini. When you’re curating your boards, provide pinners an opportunity to see what makes your business unique. Have you seen a unique way businesses are sharing their culture? Let us know in the comments below.

2. Collaborate with others

Pinterest makes it easy for businesses to create boards that are curated by different users. We’ve done this at Vital by allowing our team to collaborate with our boards from their personal accounts. This is only the tip of the iceberg though. Check out this collaborative teen program board for libraries where over a thousand ideas have been shared. Here’s another great collaborative board filled with science activities for kids. Creating a community board can be a great way to connect with customers and position your business as a resource.

3. Integrate Pinterest in your marketing strategy

With all this excitement, don’t forget to integrate Pinterest into your current marketing and social strategy. When it comes to any social network, strategy and measurement are essential. After a month of pinning, you’ll want make sure that your time and effort has paid off.

Make sure you’re pinning your own content and work. This shouldn’t be your primary focus, but a part of your strategy. After a month of pinning, use Google Analytics to track how many website referrals you received through Pinterest. With these numbers, you’ll be able to adjust your strategy accordingly.

4. Don’t forget to tell your current fans

Don’t assume your current social community is finding you. We’ve found that searching for friends on Pinterest is hit or miss. Make sure to share your Pinterest account on other networks. You’ll also want to complete your profile so pinners can connect to your other social accounts and website.

5. Be creative

Pinterest is a visually creative community, so it’s important to be creative when it comes to curating your boards. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. We think this pin sums it up nicely. Pinterest definitely offers businesses a unique opportunity to build a community, but it’s important to remember how Pinterest fits with your current social strategies.

How have you been using Pinterest? Have you connected with any businesses? Let us know what you think in the comments below or on Google+. Happy Pinning!