8 ways to kick butt on Pinterest

So. We’ve covered the basics of Pinterest pinning principles, and now we want to delve further into some do’s and don’ts. It’s not enough to just set up a Pinterest page – you’ve got to care for it and treat it with love, like a hamster. You wouldn’t just buy a hamster, stick it in a box, and forget it, would you? Would you?! No. You want that hamster to grow and flourish, just as you do your Pinterest page. Okay, enough about hamsters; let’s get to it. Following are 8 ways to kick butt on Pinterest.

1. Do complete your business profile

The whole point of setting up your Pinterest page is to draw visitors to your company’s website. Step number one, then, is to complete your business profile when you set up your account. This business profile will let customers know who you (meaning your business) are, what you do and, most importantly, where they can find you. In this case, I mean where they can find you virtually – Facebook, Twitter, and your company website. Make sure to use your company’s logo as your profile photo. You want your page to be identifiable on sight.

2. Don't pin ugly photos

Remember when you used to cut photos out of magazines and tape them on your refrigerator, or bathroom mirror, or cubicle at work? You were drawn to those pictures because they inspired some emotion in you. They attracted you. That’s Pinterest: a collection of pretty, pretty photos that inspire you to dream of better things: a better haircut, a better way to cook chicken, a better life, a better you. A blurry photo, or a bland photo, will not inspire anybody, so don’t waste your time with them. Want tips on how to take Pinterest-worthy photos? Voilà.

3. Do write content

If you’re pinning your own product, make sure to describe what it is you’re pinning. Include the price as well, and be certain the pin links back to the product page where that item can be found on your website. Make it as easy as possible for people to buy what you’re selling. If your pin links to nowhere, they probably won’t try clicking your pins again.

4. Don't write annoying content

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: People don’t go on Pinterest to be sold products, they go there to be sold a lifestyle. “BUY BUY BUY!!! BEST BEAUTY PRODUCTS IN THE TRI-STATE AREA. COME IN, GET GREAT DEALS. WE’LL MATCH ANY COMPETITORS’ PRICES. COME IN TODAYYY!!!!!”

Does the above make you dream of changing your look with a new lipstick? Me neither.

[caption id=”attachment_390” align=”alignright” width=”426”] Lowe’s updates its page by moving seasonal boards to the top.[/caption]

5. Do repin other companies

One of the reasons Pinterest is considered social media is because it’s … you know … social. You should follow a good number of companies – companies that are in your similar field, or local companies that in your area. There is a certain etiquette to Pinterest: manners, if you will. If you repin a company, that company may thank you by repinning something of yours. Like bringing a bottle of wine to a friend’s house after she brought one to yours. You can also “Like” their pin, or leave a thoughtful comment. Not many people leave comments on pins, so that is sure to be noticed by the pinner.

Although practicing Pinterest etiquette is a good thing, make sure you don’t go overboard. If you’re repinning everything under the sun hoping others will repin you, it will be noticeable to your followers, and they will no longer be your followers. Capisce?

6. Don't pin only your own products

Followers notice when you’re trying to spam them, and as I said above, they don’t want to be blatantly sold to. This is where the 80/20 rule comes in, where only 20% of your content is focused on you/your product. What should the other 80% be? Topics that fall within your niche, things that inspire you, whatever you think will appeal to your followers and other pinners, essentially.

7. Do click before you repin

There are some unscrupulous people in the world. These people will sometimes pin pretty, pretty pictures on Pinterest, and when you click through to find out more information about what you’re repinning, you find that the link leads you to their site, where they’re trying to get you to sign up for a year’s supply of Turtle Wax.

Before you repin something, make sure that it is a real pin leading to real information, and not an attempt to spam people. You don’t want your followers thinking that you’re in the spamming business, too, right? Right.

8. Don't abandon your page

If you start up a Pinterest page, and then find yourself unable to actually pin things, like, ever, just go ahead and delete that Pinterest page. It’s better to not have a page at all than to have a sad, pinless page. Why? It just looks bad to customers, that’s why. It looks like you jumped on the Pinterest bandwagon, but didn’t have the time or interest to stay engaged. And if you can’t stay engaged with your customers on social media, maaayyyybe you can’t stay engaged with your customers in real life, too. Know what I mean?

It seems like there are a lot of rules, but once you getting going, you’ll be a Pinterest pro in no time. Remember to have fun, and enjoy yourself. Pinterest is a marketing tool, yes, but it’s also a chance to show customers your creative side.

For more great Pinterest tips, check out my social media board.