4 Reasons Your Brand Wants Pinterest For Increased Awareness

Like Tumblr, Pinterest is an up-and-coming social media site that is definitely catching the eye of many marketers. Not only is it growing in its number of users, they're spending more and more time on the site. A study found that the amount of time the average user spent on the site between May and October of last year increased by an impressive 512% to 72.1 minutes per month. An image-sharing social pin-up board, Pinterst is growing fast, and it has lots of marketing potential. Here's how you can use it for your brand:

1) Promote products - While you can't actually sell items on Pinterest like you can in a Facebook shop, it's still another way to show off your products. If you add a $ to your Pin description, Pinterest automatically makes a price banner. Users will be able to see your products and you can include a link back to your website where they can actually purchase the item.

2) Fan contributions - Pins or boards that feature customers with your products have a few benefits. Fans want to connect with your brand, and they're a way of thanking your supporters, making them feel special, and keeping them involved. They can also promote products- they show items being used by satisfied customers and give customers different interpretations for how to use a product (such as how to wear a certain item of clothing).

3) Contests - There are endless creative contest possibilities and they're great for fan engagement. You can ask users to create stylish pins with products from your site or have them post photos of outfits they put together with your brand's items. Another idea is to offer a prize for the most Repins. Contests get fans involved and excited about your brand, and they can be a lot of fun for you, too!

4) Market research - Pinterest is a great place to post a new product and scope out people's initial reactions to it. You can see users' comments about the item, see how many Repins it gets, and other data that clues you in to how customers feel about it. Don't limit yourself to products- you can try out a new ad campaign on Pinterest, as well.

It's not a powerhouse social media site like Facebook or Twitter (yet), but Pinterest is definitely worth looking into. How could you use Pinterest for you brand?

Venpop

6 Reasons To Become A Pinterest Fan Immediately!

In true late-to-the-game fashion, I have recently fallen in love with Pinterest! It ranks up there with the likes of getting to meet Johnny Depp, the best dessert you ever ate, and your husband doing all laundry and cooking for an entire month.

What is Pinterest, you ask? Think of it as a virtual "pin board" that lets you organize and share the things you love on the Internet. During your web perusing, if you stumble upon a pair of shoes you'd like to add to your wish list, a makeup trend you're dying to try, or a recipe you're thinking about making, simply click your "pin" button (which lives on your browser toolbar) and, voila! That image and web link is then added to your designated Pinterest board and your "pin" will be at your fingertips in a nice, neat, organized fashion forever. (Insert cries of joy here!)



I lovingly refer to my Pinterest addiction as a totally productive time suck. Once you start "pinning," you'll know why. You can spend hours and hours surfing (and pinning) and by the end of your Pinteresting session, you'll have pinned three new products you can't live with, made four new online friends, and learned how to make crocheted butterfly adornments. (I mean, really...how did I ever live without Pinterest?)

Would you like to be come a killer baker? How about a top-notch party planner? Ever thought about taking up Cross Fit? Perhaps you'd like to try your hand at gardening. The sky's the limit with Pinterest. From hair and beauty to sports - this virtual corkboard will allow you to tap into any topic you wish. Oh, and did I mention that you get to connect with fellow pinning enthusiasts by following or getting followed?

Hey, anyone who loves skincare products is most certainly a friend of mine. (It's sort of like a social media version of Field Of Dreams...if you pin it, they will come.) And there's nothing more rewarding than when one of your pins gets "repinned" by boatloads of Pinners. Total Pinterest nirvana. Still need convincing? Here are six reasons to get on the pinning bandwagon:

1. It's like having your own personal fashion consultant (bring on the leopard booties)
2. You'll automatically become clever (e.g. when your guests oooh and ahhh over the lemon and lime ice cube idea you got from Pinterest)
3. You'll become a kick-butt cook (next time your mother-in-law knocks your cooking you can make her eat her words when you bust out the chocolate crème brulee that you caramelized with a mini blow torch)
4. It's like Xbox for women (video-game playing hubbies: eat your hearts out)
5. You'll tap into creativity that you had NO IDEA you had (that DIY braided scarf you made via Pinterest's DIY section is rocking your fashion world)
6. It's visual "eye candy" (who knew one could find an image of bacteria as visually entertaining as bacon wrapped pretzels?)

If you're already an expert Pinner, then this is all old hat to you and you're already in the pinning know. Oh, how we love you, Pinterest. I am convinced the phrase "are you pinning" will become as commonplace as "Tweet me." (Whew. Thank goodness I'm no longer a novice!)
There. Now you're versed in Pinterest and ready to try your hand at the art of the pinboard. And if you're already on Pinterest, follow me and let's swap pins! Happy Pinning.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sasha_Stubblefield

P.s.
If you want a pinterest invitaion, send your