First things first: do you know what Pinterest is?
If not, call your Internet marketing expert now. If you do know what it is, good for you!
This pin board-style social photo-sharing site is gaining a lot of buzz and as an online retailer, you should always be on the look out for changes and updates in the dynamic world of social media. Any Internet marketing expert will tell you that social media marketing should not stop on Facebook and Twitter. How you adapt to changes determines how you will succeed online.
That aside, here are some tips for you and your Internet marketing expert on how to take advantage of this new social media platform, courtesy of the Social Media Examiner.
1. Add a Pinterest “Follow” and/or “Pin It” button. Let customers know you are on Pinterest. The basic idea here is that you are encouraging your customers and followers to “pin” your products on the site.
2. Branding on Pinterest. Unlike Facebook, Pinterest is still in its relatively early stages where it does not yet distinguish between a personal profile and a brand page. As your Internet marketing expert may have told you, you can integrate your Pinterest profile with your Facebook account but only for personal profiles. To capitalize on your existing social media accounts, use your Twitter e-mail instead. Don’t forget to add a location and a website and a brief description of your brand.
3. Crowdsource. Ask fans of your brands to pin photos of themselves with their favorite product of yours. Have them tag you and repin those photos a VIP board. It’s a great way to create brand ambassadors.
4. Follow links. SEO opportunities are everywhere, even on Pinterest. For now, “do follow” links are still accepted when writing pin descriptions. It might change (it happened on Facebook and on other social media platforms to prevent spamming) so have your Internet marketing expert watch out for updates.
5. Do not forget basic courtesy. Be nice, credit sources, avoid promoting yourself, report offensive content and give feedback. Pinterest outlined these guidelines so you’d do well to follow them. Remember, you are part of a community so be courteous. Any Internet marketing expert will tell you that it is a universal social media rule of thumb.
