How to Use Pinterest to Advertise Your Business

Clocking in at over 478 million monthly users per month as of 2021, Pinterest has certainly become one of the fastest growing social media platforms, now standing toe to toe with the likes of Facebook and Twitter. The easy-to-use site has made it a go-to for those looking for inspiration when planning events, building their dream homes, or discovering more about their personal hobbies and interests.

In other words, this is an untapped resource that businesses can definitely use to their advantage, especially those looking to put their products and services in front of people who are ready and willing to make a purchase now. Here’s everything you need to know about using Pinterest to advertise your business:

But first, what is Pinterest?

Pinterest is a visual social media platform where users can discover and save ideas for their interests and hobbies, such as recipes, fashion, home decor, and travel. Users can create virtual pinboards to organize and save images, videos, and links that they find inspiring or useful. The platform also allows users to follow other users or boards to get more ideas and inspiration.

Quick stats:

• According to Pinterest’s own demographics survey, about 40% of its users have a household income of about $100,000+. 
• 90% of weekly users (called Pinners) make purchase decisions on Pinterest. 
• 77% of Pinners that use the site or app weekly have discovered a new product or brand on Pinterest. 
• Half (50%) of Pinners have made a purchase after seeing a Promoted Pin.
• One of the biggest draws of Pinterest is that it is “filled with positivity”. 

Pinterest terms you need to know:

• Pin – All content that has been shared on Pinterest is a “pin”. Clicking on a pin links back to a website. 
• Board – Pinterest boards are like bulletin boards or peg boards, but in digital form. It’s how pins are organized. You can create different boards for different categories. 
  • Group boards are collaborative Pinterest boards that are owned by one user, but other Pinners can contribute to. 
  • Archived boards refer to Pinterest boards that you no longer add pins to or no longer use, but don’t want to delete. 
• Feed – Pinterest feeds function much in the same way as your Facebook or Twitter feed. Here, you’ll find posts and updates from Pinners that you follow, as well as pins and boards that Pinterest thinks you might be interested in. 
• Pincodes – These are special codes that businesses can create and use to unlock their curated boards and profile on Pinterest, functioning much like a QR code. Scanning the code allows Pinners to be taken directly to the suggested board.

What are the benefits of using Pinterest for your business?

It’s a visual search engine

Pinterest allows Pinners to search for new ideas, products, and services, in a visual way, unencumbered by blocks of irrelevant text.

This makes it a great platform for businesses who want to put their offerings directly in front of consumers who may not want to jump through hoops just to see what they want to buy. 

Increases brand awareness

One of the primary benefits of using Pinterest for your business is the ability to increase brand awareness.

By creating eye-catching pins that showcase your products or services, you can attract new followers and get your brand in front of a wider audience.

Drives traffic to your website

Pinterest is also a great way to drive traffic to your website.

Each pin can include a link back to your website, and when users click on that link, they’ll be taken directly to your site. This can result in a significant increase in website traffic, which can lead to more sales and revenue for your business.

Boosts sales

In addition to driving traffic to your website, Pinterest can also help you boost sales.

By creating shoppable pins, you can make it easy for users to purchase your products directly from Pinterest. 

Targeted advertising

Pinterest also offers a range of advertising options, including Promoted Pins and Promoted Video Pins. These ads can be targeted to specific audiences based on factors such as location, interests, and demographics, making them a highly effective way to reach potential customers.

Builds a community

Pinterest is also a great way to build a community around your brand. By creating boards and collaborating with other users, you can engage with your followers and build relationships that can lead to increased loyalty and repeat business.

Cost-effective marketing

Compared to other advertising options, Pinterest can be a cost-effective way to market your business. You can create and share pins for free, and even advertising options are often more affordable than other platforms like Facebook or Google Ads.

Take me to the tips!

Create a strong profile 

The first step to using Pinterest to advertise your business is to create a strong profile.

This should include a clear and concise description of your business, along with a profile picture that reflects your brand. Make sure to also include a link to your website or other social media pages, as this will help drive traffic to your business.

Develop a content strategy

Once you’ve created your profile, it’s time to start developing a content strategy. This should include a mix of your own content, such as images of your products or services, as well as relevant content from other sources.

Consider using Pinterest to share blog posts or articles that relate to your business, as well as pins from other businesses or influencers in your industry.

Create compelling pins

When creating pins for your business, it’s important to keep in mind the platform’s visually-driven nature. Your pins should be eye-catching and visually appealing, with high-quality images and clear, concise descriptions.

Think about using keywords in your descriptions to optimize your pins for search, and include a call-to-action to encourage users to click through to your website or other online platforms.

Optimize your pins for search

In order to get your pins seen by as many potential customers as possible, you’ll also want to optimize them for search. Use relevant keywords in your pin descriptions and titles, and categorize your pins in a way that makes sense for your business. Make sure to also use hashtags to help your pins show up in relevant search results.

Engage with your audience

In addition to creating and optimizing your own pins, it’s important to engage with your audience on Pinterest. You’ll want to take some time out to respond to comments and messages, as well as follow and interact with other users in your industry.

Focus on creating boards that feature other businesses or influencers in your industry, and re-pinning their content to show your support and build relationships.

Enlist the assistance of an agency that specializes in Pinterest advertising services

While it’s possible to create and manage a strong Pinterest business profile on your own, developing a content strategy and building a community on the site can be rather time consuming. Not every business owner has the time or inclination to put boards together or engage on Pinterest every day!

One of the things that we do especially well here at 1Digital®️ Agency is Pinterest advertising services. Our experienced social media managers and content writers are great at collaborating with each other to develop an effective social media marketing strategy that you can use on Pinterest to benefit your business. 

For more on what we can do for your business on Pinterest, click here.