Do you need more qualified traffic? 
Pinterest and Twitter are two powerful social media systems you can use to make your marketing dreams come true.
It’s unheard of that a social media network surpassed 10 million users in its first week. Even Facebook didn’t get to this number in its first month.
Pinterest is a virtual pinboard, while Twitter is a microblogging platform – both were created for leverage.
Pinterest broke the record, and when you combine both powerful systems in a very creative way, your blog will definitely attract fresh readers, potential customers and sponsors.
By the way, you can learn Pinteresting standards by checking out the Pinterest terms. This would enable you know the rights on images used and how to handle legal situations when they arise.
Pinterest drives more Traffic than Twitter
I’ve been marketing on Twitter, but I was shocked when my first Pin brought 15 instant visitors to my blog. I think I got these 15 visitors in about 2 minutes after pinning a nice “baby picture’ on my board.
Interestingly, recent studies show that Pinterest is now driving more traffic than Twitter.
But I don’t think you should neglect tweets, both pins and tweets have their place in content marketing – Twitter is for quick announcement to your followers; it’s like you’re alerting them on what just happened. It could be new blog post, a product launch, a conference, a contest et al.
Pinterest is much more systematic. Which is why, the results of spending 15 minutes pinning and repining on your board could generate influx of targeted traffic to you and grow your business.
Here are 16 marketing strategies to get results from Pinterest. By using these strategies wisely, you would be ‘Pinteresting’ your way to more targeted traffic, social media awareness, SEO influence and brand optimization.
Here they are:
1. Get positioned: If you’re positioned, the right prospect will find you through Pinterest. To get positioned, simply create a blog that’s valuable and start adding valuable contents to build-up base.
2. Obey Pinterest policy: You wouldn’t want to be banned from this awesome photo sharing network. I suggested a link above where you can access the policy, read it, obey it and keep Pinteresting like a seasoned photographer.
3. Be relevant: What other way can you show the stuffs you’re made of, if not by becoming relevant in your niche. In order words, pin photos that are relevant to your niche or subject. If you’re a Gardener, pin gardening tool, not T-Shirts except it’s branded for your business.
4. Customize photos: The easiest way to build a formidable brand via Pinterest is to customize photos with your logo, and start pinning. People will recognize you, link to you and who knows, the client you need might come.
5. Don’t waste time: If you spend more than 15 minutes pinning and repining, you’re wasting precious time. Invest your time wisely and get back to the core things that matters most in your business. Pinterest or Twitter marketing are only an arm of your marketing, don’t waste time – invest it!
6. Focus is vital: Social media networks are the greatest distractions online. And a lot of people, because they lack focus in the Pinteresting game, get distracted and deviate from the original plan. Don’t do that – focus is the key! Any activity that will not help in fulfilling your goal, drop it and move on with others – can you do this?
7. Drive referral traffic: Pinterest is awesome because you can drive referral traffic. And the most successful online business thrives on word on mouth marketing. To achieve this, help others achieve their goals – share only valuable photos and link to important scenes.
8. Make a landing page: You can’t possibly send Pinterest visitors to your sales pace. These people are still strangers and won’t buy your idea. Make a landing page: capture, convert and sell. I think we need a subheading for this. Here…
9. Capture, convert, and sell: Yes, These three marketing principles work in every business facet, but more powerful when Pinteresting. Do you know how to build email marketing campaigns, Pinterest users are the best people to have on your email list – they’re very enthusiasts including you.
10. Be controversial: In such networking platforms like Pinterest where everyone is holding on to certain beliefs and opinions, you could cut through and drive rich traffic to your blog – pin a controversial photo – to challenge the status quo.
11. Be useful: Don’t just share every photo you see on Flickr, being useful is the antidote to Pinterest Failure. Don’t take my word for it, only time would tell who is doing the right thing – but get positioned (#1).
12. Repin relevant photos: It’s unwise to promote photos that are irrelevant to your subject or what you’re looking for. Even if the photo looks beautiful, stay away and focus. The same principle which applies to retweeting has a stronger bond on Pinterest.
13. Become a leader: You can’t pretend to be a leader at Pinterest. Take your time to build up value, get opinionated in your niche and when you pin, sound professional, authoritative and helpful – your pins should speak expertise and prepare your board like a pro.
14. Add humor: Social media users are so relaxed! You can easily connect with prospects on Pinterest by adding humor to your pins. I mean, customize your photos to look funny or unreal (do it with care).
15. Learn to share: Pinteresting is all about sharing, connecting, communicating and building a strong business relationship. Whether your board is filled with Fashion pins or books, share the best photos that can inspire others.
16. Don’t stop learning: I learned so much from Twitter (how to write better tweets) and Facebook (how to connect with links). Pinterest has the exact features of all social media giants including LinkedIn. You’ve a whole bunch of nuggets to learn.
Learn from pins and how people react to controversial pins. Add these to your business and grow.
What has Pinterest done for you?
Is Pinterest truly powerful or another social media fad like MySpace and Hi5? The above 16 marketing strategies can be used on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and every other social media network. Share your experience with Pinterest with me, I truly want to know!
Image Credit: thetecnica