Pinterest – Could it help your brand?
While it may not be on the same level as Facebook or Twitter, Pinterest is gaining traction fast with 11 million visits per week in December and 400% growth in just six months. And what’s particularly amazing about this growth is it was based primarily from word-of-mouth interest. With those kinds of numbers, it’s no surprise that many brands are in the process of figuring out how exactly they can use the social pinboard site to their advantage.
Many argue that Pinterest does not yet have a place in the tech world. However, what Pinterest is doing – and doing well – is driving traffic to sites, which makes it worth looking into no matter what your brand is. In October, Real Simple magazine even saw more traffic from Pinterest than from Facebook.
So is your brand right for Pinterest? Here are a few questions to think about when determining if your brand is a fit for the social network:
- Do you have a visual element? Being a virtual pinboard, Pinterest is based solely on visually appealing “pins.” This does not necessarily mean a product, however. If your business offers a service rather than a product, you can easily find interesting photos and ideas to share with your customers that enhance what you do.
- Do you have an infographic or interesting statistic that would appeal to people? Many pins are based on charts/graphs/infographics. Keep in mind that if you decide to go this route, the direct pin may not clearly identify your brand. However, all pins link back to the website from which they were pulled from originally. So if your pin is interesting enough, it will not only drive traffic to your site, but potentially viewers will check out more on your site than just the pinned item alone.
- Do you have a video with an interesting message or topic? While not quite as common, there are pins of YouTube videos, such as this one of a technology CEO talking about their product. If you message is interesting, there is no harm in using an additional avenue to spread the word.
While Pinterest may not be a great fit for all brands, its recent and rapid growth makes it a player in social media that shouldn’t be ignored as a potential platform for developing brand awareness. Keep in mind, the list above is not an end all for if you brand is right for Pinterest – and board categories on the site currently run the gamut from Do It Yourself Crafts to Cars and Motorcycles, and even Technology. So, is your brand right for Pinterest? I think it is at least worth looking into.
- Kathryn