I don’t blame you if nowadays when you think of Pinterest, laughably awful renditions of DIY crafts are the first thing that come to mind (hello nightmare-fuel Cookie Monster cupcakes). While it may seem like the eclectic aunt of social media apps like Instagram, Pinterest actually functions more like a search engine rather than a social networking platform. All those countless pins and boards aren’t meant to create friendships, they’re meant to provide inspiration and sell goods to the platform’s users. Which is exactly why you need Pinterest for business.
If you don’t (yet) view Pinterest as an effective advertising strategy, babe, I have to respectfully disagree. If you have a business—whether you’re selling a product or service, or trying to promote your blog—Pinterest is an irreplaceable tool you need to add to your arsenal. But why is Pinterest so vital to your business? Let me count the ways…
Why You Need Pinterest For Business
It increases traffic and sales in your business
Pins are meant to be shared and re-pinned. When you upload photos of your products to Pinterest, you’re creating the opportunity for countless people to not only see, but buy, from your business. As your product photos get re-pinned in boards for relevant categories, the chances of you making a sale grows. Since the whole platform is fundamentally about re-pinning, all it takes is a few random internet strangers to get the ball rolling.
Pins have a longer shelf life than other platforms
Posts on platforms like Instagram and Facebook inherently have a time limit. Although Facebook may try to get you to take a trip down memory lane with its “on this day 3 years ago..” prompts, once the moment has passed, it’s passed. Pins however, don’t fall under the same constraints; a pin from six months ago can blow up just the same as one posted a week ago. The one caveat to that reality though is that physical products may not be available years after being pinned to the platform—but as long as your website’s the same, visitors can still click-through to your latest offerings.
People go to Pinterest for inspiration… and to buy products
The average demographic of Pinterest users is women in their mid-20s to 50s, looking to buy from the platform. While they may start off perusing pins for inspiration, chances are—if you’re selling something within the category they’re searching—they’re looking to buy your goods, not just gawk at them. Pinterest is a “future planning” tool for many women—the boards they build out represent their desired lives. Sure, many boards are simply wishlists for that ideal lifestyle, but some of them are shopping lists, too.
It can be a juggernaut if you just give it enough time
I’m convinced that the biggest hang up for most business owners when it comes to Pinterest is time. Anyone who leverages the platform will tell you it takes at least three months to really grow steady traffic for your business. And although that may feel like an eternity when you’re just starting a new venture, it’s a worthwhile investment that takes relatively little time, in the grand scheme of things.
Now, despite all the pros of Pinterest, don’t be fooled—you still need a strategy and dedication to make it work for you. For example, anyone who utilizes the platform for their business will tell you that posting multiple pins per day is key. And while that sounds absolutely bananas, that’s where Pinterest strategy comes in. By understanding the platform and adjacent apps that streamline the work you have to put in, Pinterest can be far less intimidating than it may seem.
I know that marketing is one of the biggest pains for business owners. You’re told to show up on Instagram, on Facebook, on Twitter, etc., and so it makes sense if the thought of throwing Pinterest into the mix is where you draw the line. However, if you are selling something—a subscription, a product, a service—you need to research how Pinterest can benefit you! All the initial work eventually creates a passive flow of income and interest.
Have you tried Pinterest for business? Let me know what questions you have!
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