Pinterest is a platform that many small and medium-sized businesses do not use yet. However, it can help to make your company and website better known and thus generate more sales. In this article we will explain how Pinterest works and what you need to know to get started with Pinterest successfully.
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What is Pinterest?
Pinterest is a platform specializing in images and visual content . You can think of Pinterest like a virtual pinboard . Users can leave their own posts with text and images on all conceivable topics. These are then assigned to thematically appropriate digital pin boards. The focus of the platform is clearly on the images, as these are displayed to the users on the pinboards. You only get to the relevant information or are forwarded to a website with a click. For this reason, Pinterest is also often referred to as an image search engine .
The word “Pinterest” is made up of the English words “pin” (pin) and “interest” (interest). It thus reflects that users find and collect content on the platform that corresponds to their interests and preferences.
Users can also create their own virtual pinboards, i.e. pinboards, and collect the posts they like there. As a company, you can also create your own pinboards.
What makes Pinterest different from other social media platforms?
Compared to other social networks like Facebook and Instagram, Pinterest differs greatly in its orientation. The platform is not designed to share self-portraits and pictures of one’s own life, but aims to offer users inspiration.
The focus is on presenting content that encourages people to save it and develop their own ideas. The focus is on the quality of the content in order to offer users added value. Businesses can benefit from this alignment, as users on Pinterest are more willing to purchase products featured on the platform.
What also sets Pinterest apart from other platforms: the reach (impressions) of the individual posts is more important than the number of followers on a profile. Even a profile with relatively few followers can achieve high coverage. The impressions depend a lot on appealing images and search engine optimization.
Also Read: Understand The Role Of Social Media In Business Marketing
Posts on Pinterest: What is a Pin?
Pinterest posts are more than just images. Each post can be a photo or video with a link to its original source. This advantage distinguishes the network, since each pin can be provided with a link. For example, if you post an image of a product from your store, you can associate the Pin with a link to the relevant product page on the website. This makes it possible to drive more traffic to your website.
Appealing images are therefore important for your Pinterest posts!
Why should businesses use Pinterest?
Pinterest can be a useful platform for businesses to promote their brand and drive traffic to your website. Businesses can create a business profile on Pinterest for free and upload their own content, such as images and videos, related to their products and services. In addition, they can also “repin” content from other users (i.e. transfer content from other users to their own boards) to build their own community.
Pinterest also offers advertising options such as “Promoted Pins”, which companies can use to target their content to a specific target group. Pinterest can therefore be an effective marketing strategy, especially for companies that offer visual products or services.
How do I create a Pinterest Business profile?
If you want to get started as a business on Pinterest, setting up a business account is the first step. To do this, simply go to the website, register and then switch the account to business mode. Sign up with the email address you’ll use later to receive notifications from Pinterest.
To convert your profile to a business account , simply click on the small arrow in the top right corner and select “Convert to business account”.
Create your own posts: Here’s how
After you’ve created your first boards, it’s time to start posting your own. You can choose between the two options “Create Pin” and “Create Idea Pin”.
Create a Pin: A classic Pin is a post that can contain up to 5 images or short videos. The images should be in portrait format. An image size of 1000 x 1500 px is recommended. To the right of the image, you have the option of writing a short text for the post, storing an alternative text (this can be read by screen readers) and a link to your blog, your website or your shop. Finally, you can choose to publish the pin immediately or later. Next to the “Publish” button, you can choose which pinboard the pin should appear on. Pins are posts that are intended to tease content and arouse curiosity, so that the user then clicks on the link.
Creating an Idea Pin: Idea Pins (formerly Story Pins ) are a bit more complex to design. The aim here is to provide the user with creative instructions (e.g. a recipe or the production of an object). Similar to an Instagram story, a completed short story should be told or e.g. B. Tips are given. In contrast to the Instagram stories, the Idea Pins are saved permanently and are not deleted again after 24 hours. Good Idea Pins are often played out by the platform to users and can generate very high coverage. The downside: you can’t link directly to your website in the Idea Pin.
6 tips to increase your reach on Pinterest
How are posts optimized for maximum success? Here are some tips that can help you use Pinterest successfully:
- Use meaningful images: Pinterest is a visual platform, so it’s important that the images are engaging and meaningful. Use high-quality images that represent your product or service well.
- Keyword Matching: Use relevant keywords in your pins and boards to ensure they’re being found by the right audiences. Hashtags also help to increase reach.
- Write meaningful descriptions: Again, use relevant keywords to increase the reach of the posts.
- Link website: Link pins and boards to your website to generate traffic and promote your products or services.
- Be active on the platform: In order to increase the reach on the platform, it is recommended to “pin” daily, i.e. to place posts on a pin board. In order to quickly create an active account right from the start, you can also place contributions from others (i.e. third-party content) on your pinboards. However, reduce the third-party content bit by bit over the next few weeks – after all, at best you want to draw people to your website.
- Use content from other platforms: If you e.g. If you already have an Instagram account and regularly post short videos (reels) or posts there, you can also use these for your Pinterest account.
Also Read: Common Mistakes In Social Media Marketing