How to Leverage the Power of Pinterest to Boost Your Sales

Originally published: February 23, 2022 01:03:41 PM, updated: November 19, 2022 12:00:00 AM

There are many ways in which digital marketers can increase brand awareness. While tactics such as SEO optimization and quality content curation are essential, we must remember that social media plays an influential role. This is particularly the case in terms of the Pinterest platform.

According to recent data, more than 431 million active Pinterest users worldwide. It, therefore, stands to reason that this portal can represent a powerful tool to boost sales.

Let us take an in-depth look at how this can be achieved.

A Closer Look at the Pinterest Platform

First and foremost, what exactly is Pinterest? Its creators describe this platform to share unique ideas and inspire others using digital media. Users who come across particularly relevant "pins" can save this content to their dashboards and share it with their contacts (or even on other social media sites such as Facebook).

So, we can now begin to see why this platform can represent a powerful tool for any digital marketing professional hoping to create an impression within a particular demographic. This brings us to the main point of the article. What steps can be taken to utilize Pinterest when creating a successful PR campaign?

Recommended video: What is Pinterest?

Use Pinterest in Conjunction with Traditional Branding

The ability to pin a specific post is one of the features which makes this social media website unique. Users will soon begin to associate the brand with the product or service in question. Therefore, one important step is to include branding within any images and/or descriptions.

Furthermore, branded information that is shared outside of Pinterest is a great way to generate even further interest. This is one of the core principles behind omnichannel marketing, and it is just as relevant in terms of boosting sales figures. Developing a positive brand impression in such a competitive digital landscape is crucial.

Addressing the Mobile Community

One of the most obvious benefits of social media marketing involves the ability for even a relatively small brand to reach an incredibly large audience. However, we need to remember that most users are now employing mobile devices to access sites such as Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. Therefore, adopting a mobile-friendly approach is a second policy to embrace. Here are some valuable suggestions:

• Make sure that images can be re-sized to fit within the dimensions of smartphone displays.
• Use high-quality graphics.
• Ensure that the font size is adequate.
• Check to make sure that any outbound links are associated with mobile-responsive sites.

As the number of mobile users who access Pinterest is expected to increase, creating posts suited for such devices is extremely important.

Place Emphasis on Quality Video Content

Since Pinterest is primarily designed to share images, it may seem a bit strange that videos can play a role. Research conducted in 2021 found that up to one billion videos are viewed every single day. This is arguably the reason why the Pinterest Premiere advertising campaign was recently launched, as it can help brands target the appropriate audience.

Videos, therefore, represent another useful "string to the bow" in terms of marketing options. Although this content can be 15 minutes, it is generally advised to keep media short and to the point. Users will then be able to clean important information (such as website addresses, the latest offers, and contact details) before taking any additional steps.

Create a Posting Schedule

Pinterest allows up to 50 posts per day. However, the chances are high that most businesses will not need to inundate their followers with massive amounts of information. This is when a bit of foresight will come into play.

Digital marketing professionals should utilize "Seasonal Insights" offered by Pinterest. This tool provides industry-specific statistics and trending data within a single click. Therefore, businesses can better appreciate publicizing specific promotions (such as money-saving discounts before the holidays).

Appreciating when it is best to post specific pins is a potent means to develop a loyal fan base over time. Another benefit of this strategy involves simple word of mouth. Users always want to feel as if their needs are being catered to and, in the same respect, that they are not being bombarded with irrelevant offers.

The Business Side of Pinterest

One lesser-known option provided by Pinterest is the ability to create a Pinterest shop. The creation process is straightforward, and the main benefit here is that visitors can be taken directly to a product page. Users will first need to register a business account.

This option makes a great deal of sense when we remember that Pinterest (and other social media sites) have been designed with a user-friendly architecture in mind. Instead of scrolling through different pins, individuals can simply click on an image to view what other services or items are offered.

This is just as relevant for smaller ventures, even those with few followers now. The main intention here is to present your enterprise as a professional, transparent and authoritative entity. Creating a business profile will give you this edge, enabling your products to shine above more generic competitors.

Take Advantage of the Pinterest Widget

Similar to sites such as Facebook and Twitter, Pinterest can also be used in conjunction with your existing website. This comes in the form of a handy widget that enables owners to embed as many as 30 pins at any given time. These pins can also be rotated on occasion to display the latest deals and offers.

There is another hidden advantage associated with this approach, mainly in the form of SERP (search engine results page) rankings. Providers such as Google and Bing will partially base their rankings on the number of links within a website (internal and external). We can similarly think of this to the number of spokes associated with a bicycle wheel.

Linking to social media platforms is an excellent way to boost your SERP presence and, ultimately, to enjoy higher clickthrough rates. This SEO principle should never be overlooked, especially if you are new to the so-called Pinterest "universe."

Contests and Promotions

Pinterest should also be used to run contests and promotions from time to time. Examples can include scannable QR codes, discounts for loyal followers, and rebates provided to the first 100 users who purchase a product.

Not only will this strategy generate a significant amount of interest over time (no pun intended), but it can help to determine the efficacy of an ongoing PR campaign. Be sure to include a call-to-action within each promotion if users have additional questions.

Pinterest and Sales: A Lucrative Partnership

Although some could argue that Pinterest is relatively new when compared to other social media platforms, we live within a highly visual age. Therefore, this portal is an excellent option if you hope to increase your digital clout and gain a strong base of followers over time.