Since it invaded the social media scene in 2011, Pinterest has built a reputation for being THE social site for women organizing their imaginary pantries, planning their imaginary parties, and creating their imaginary baby rooms. While it’s a fact that the majority of pins relate to crafts, fashion, interior design, and cooking, and that social media users lean heavily toward the female population, Pinterest is much more than just a site to discover multiple ways to wear a shift dress. Case in point: Pinterest can actually be an indispensable tool for building a personal brand.
Here are five Pinterest personal branding techniques an entrepreneur can do to maximize the benefits of this highly visual social site.
1. Go with a business account.
If you want to build an effective Pinterest brand as a business , it’s a wise decision to move from a personal account to a business account. The latter includes a number of business-related features to track and generate more traffic. It’s essential to have a complete profile. You need to add your website addresses, a detailed bio, and links to your Facebook and Twitter accounts. The links will make it easier for interested site visitors to locate you elsewhere online.
2. Highlight your work.
Whether you are an interior decorator, a professional photographer, a fashion designer, or a blogger, Pinterest is the perfect avenue to bring together your work in a single place. Showcase your work in a compelling and interesting way to make a name for yourself along the way. You need to make sure your Pinterest boards and pins appear as appealing as they possibly can, so pay attention to the dimension of your images.
3. Create a user-generated pinboard.
Nothing will make your visitors feel more welcome and appreciated than displaying that you care about their opinions, insights, and visual creativity. Letting them contribute openly to a user-generated pinboard you curate illustrates how you value their input and contributions. And, by extension, you make them feel a part of a thriving online network.
4. Create a pin-worthy site.
Based on recent reports, Pinterest is about to surpass email as the third most used sharing online method, so it’s a great strategy to give your visitors the tools they need to pin or like your images properly. Make use of the “Pin It” button on your blog site so readers can effortlessly share your content. You can also add a “Follow Me” button on your website. If you rarely post content on your website, you can put a Pin It button on your About Page instead.
5. Boost your less-followed Pinterest boards.
When it comes to pinning, boards that get less of your time and attention are the ones usually less followed. Make the most out of the successful and flourishing boards you have by repinning images from your less-followed boards. Just make sure that the pins you repin are related in theme and properly curated.
Pinterest can play a huge role in your marketing strategy, especially if you’re an entrepreneur. The visual site can also help you connect with your visitors and pinners by interacting with them through the comment box.
Great post, Reade. I will have to look at the Pinterest business option. I haven’t really though about changing over before. Thanks!
I confess: I’ve not yet set up a Pinterest or Instagram account. The hard part for me is not setting something like this up or using it well, but continually adding more social media that needs attention and interaction. If I’m going to start a thing, I want to do it well and keep with it. It’s tough as a one-man-show! But I DO have it on my To-Do list, and this has reminded me to reconsider how I might be able to add Pinterest and still maintain some balance with social media. I welcome thoughts on that!