Dishing with Dana ~ Managing an image-based social media channel

Seems like just yesterday people were saying a word that made you raise an eyebrow – Twitter. Now there’s Pinterest. Maybe you’ve heard of it, maybe you haven’t and maybe you’re already dabbling to see how it can help you grow your business online.

When they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” they had this Pinterest infographic in mind. It’s time to get started on Pinterest by learning how to pin and the benefits of pinning for your business.

Many retailers and designers use Pinterest daily but what makes it a valuable online marketing tool is how many people use Pinterest personally. It wasn’t that long ago that we’d call a friend for suggestions. Now we can find what we need online in numerous social media outlets and Pinterest is leading that charge today.

The single Pinterest pin that launched a company

I found a great article that sums up just how much a single pin can affect a business. A boutique shop, Rodworks.com, had only a handful of stores in a few states and ran their business by walk-ins and a few phoned-in orders. When a single product they sold was featured in a DIY blog they had no choice but to get online with their consumers. Read more about their story on Pinterest on SocialMediaToday.com.

Like it, pin it, sell it – why Pinterest matters for your business

Consumers get online every day to look for inspiring design ideas, DIY and their next amazing kitchen reno. One of the biggest things retailers are seeing is the increased traffic to their stores with product sharing from their site to Pinterest. I’m constantly amazed at just how much conversion takes place on social media channels like Twitter, Facebook, and Google +. Pinterest may be the new guy on the block but it’s not taking a back seat. “Pin it” is quickly becoming the most popular sharing term online.

Our mothers spent their time coupon-clipping and recipe-swapping but this isn’t your mother’s tea party. Sure, we’re still getting together with our girlfriends in real life, but we’re also doing it digitally – every single day. And Pinterest is our new favorite obsession.

How to pin – best practices for your business

Because Pinterest is so new, everyone using it is still learning and best practices are still evolving. Whatever you do on this channel, measure it and tweak as needed. If a strategy doesn’t work, don’t be afraid to adjust your course and try again. The following articles will help you find your way:

• Maximize your reach on Pinterest
• Going the eCommerce route
• Pin It to win it!
• Best Practices for brand marketers

As much as I hate to admit this (I hope my son isn’t reading) but during football practice I’m in the bleachers cheering him on and sharing my latest pins with other moms. Finding the latest and greatest ideas and being able to share those ideas makes us feel good – and it helps us decide where to spend our money when it comes to that reno we’ve been planning.

How do you use Pinterest? What’s the latest trend you’re seeing online when it comes to sharing? Are you tapping into the market that’s hungry to be pinning YOUR products?

About Dana Helms
When someone says social butterfly, they’re likely referring to Dana Helms. With her ability to wander through conversations online as if she’s hosting a cocktail party, Dana brings awareness and excitement to the social media party. Connect with her on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

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